Sunday 1 June 2014

The Smart Squirrel


Once upon a time, in the deep woods of  Zilicon valley, there was a small kingdom , ruled  by a benevolent Lion King named Justix.  

Justix was fair and upright and ruled his kingdom with honour , compassion and trust.  He was large-hearted but he did not like inefficiency.  He judged his subjects by the quality of work they did and selected the best people in his ministry.  All the animals of the jungle loved and respected him and wanted to be in his good books so that they could prove themselves and rise in the hierarchy. 


One day, a fox named Deceptix came to stay there from another nearby kingdom. He was shrewd and crafty and was wily enough to understand that the real power lay with the ministers of Justix.  He wanted to be a part of the coterie by hook or by crook.  He took his CV to Justix and requested him to let him work on a crucial project which was very important for the welfare of the inhabitants of the jungle.  Justix looked at his cv and was really impressed with his credentials and experience.  He smiled and put his incharge of a part of the project and said that he wanted quick results. Deceptix nodded meekly and said that he will prove himself. 

Genuinix the deer was a part of the project and had worked very hard and sincerely for the kingdom since the last 5 years.  He now reported to Deceptix who quickly understood that the quality of work of Genuinix was really good. He quickly built rapport with him an got most of his work done by Genuinix but portrayed to Justix that it was he who had done everything.  Deceptix sweet -talked Genuinix and told him that his work is being appreciated and he will be rewarded very soon. Genuinix was straightforward and unassuming and took everything on face value. But days passed by and Deceptix was promoted , inching closer and closer towards the ministry position, but Geniuinix stayed where he was . He continued to work hard, but no one really noticed his contribution. All the accolades were taken by Deceptix. 

Finally, one day, Genuinix was so disheartened and demotivated that his performance started declining. Deceptix , in the meantime had got a coveted position and hardly cared about Genuinix. 

Justix was very impressed with Deceptix's work and one day called him and said " You have proved yourself . Here is another important project , which I think only you can handle . I want this project to be done in record time and with full quality" 

Now, Deceptix was in a fix.  He needed someone who would do all his work just like Genuinix and Deceptix would take all the credit. He ran a devious eye on his team and selected Smartix the Squirrel. Smartix was a quick witted, clever and bright worker.  He did his work diligently, took initiative and was always enthusiastic.  But he had seen the plight of his team leader Genuinix. 

"Smartix ! You are the best worker around and I know I can trust you with the most difficult work. I want you to deliver and you will get rewarded.. " Deceptix smiled warmly. 

"Yes, Sir, I will .... Thank you for the opportunity ..." 

A usual, Deceptix started giving all his work to Smartix, but he created a barrier between Justix and Smartix. Again , all the credit for the work went to him , with hardly any mention of Smartix.  

Deceptix was happy . 

His plan was working again. 

One day,  Justix wanted a detailed report with crucial data , with proper analysis. 
Justix quickly summoned Smartix and explained the requirement . 

" I need the report by 5 pm."

Smartix did not compile the report by 5.30 pm. 

Deceptix was worried. " I need to show this to Justix NOW ! Better do it fast", he shouted at Smartix.

By 6.30 pm , when the report was ready,  Deceptix almost snatched it from Smartix and ran inside Justix office. 

"But where is the data analysis that I had asked for ? " He roared . 

Deceptix looked at the report. 

The analysis was not there. He did not know what to do.  But suddenly there was a knock on the door and Smartix peeped in. 

"Sir, here is the data analysis , I could complete it just now ... I apologize...."

Justix  took the report and looked at Deceptix "Can you please explain this last point ? "

Deceptix did not have a clue. 

"Can I help sir ?" Smartix , the squirrel said. 

"Yes, please do so ... fast !" Justix roared again.

Smartix took the whiteboard and explained each and every point of the report. 

Justix was impressed.  

He said " From tomorrow , I want you to work in my personal cell for the data analysis work ...

And Smartix became one of the favourite workers of Justix. 

After a few months,  Justix came to know of the wiliness of Deceptix and he was sacked. 

Smartix was promoted to the rank of a minister and he chose Genuinix to work under him.

What do you think ?

 Do you think Smartix did the right thing ?

 Do you think Genuinix should have got a better deal since he was sincere,  honest and straightforward ? 


3 comments:

  1. Well written! Being sincere and hard working is not enough. You need to be smart. You should know how to package yourself & sell. Though it might seem unfair, we need to understand that only smart people can become leaders. Hard workers can only be servants, cannot be leaders.

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    1. Yes, as you said, it is important for people to keep their eyes and ears open and see that they are not treated like doormats. Having said that, sometimes, it becomes really difficult to do so in an organization when the deceptive boss has a larger say. Justice does happen finally, but sometimes it is a bit too late, just like Genuinix's case ...

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  2. its a cruel world ! but lots of nonsense prevails too . the point of views vary with people as smartix types can be judged as ass lickers if they measure the "own "work quality + effort of team with "subordinate's work quality and effort " .. because being a senior, eventually , is already having a contribution of one's junior .. so its always a catch.

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