The Story Of A Pencil. A Tale About Living Well. 5 Life Lessons to Live By

Summary

In this heartwarming story, an old pencil maker shares wise advice with the last pencil he crafts before his retirement. He teaches the pencil five valuable lessons: trust in others, embrace the pain of growth, learn from mistakes, express your true self, and leave a meaningful mark on the world. The pencil maker also reminds the pencil that even if life breaks you, you can always resharpen and become stronger. With these lessons in mind, the pencil is ready to venture into the world, equipped to live a purposeful life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Trust in the world and have faith in others—only then will you be able to do great things.
• 😀 Life will occasionally give you painful moments of sharpening, but these moments help you grow and become better.
• 😀 Mistakes are a natural part of life and learning. You can always correct them.
• 😀 The most important aspect of you is what's on the inside—be brave and express yourself.
• 😀 Leave your mark on the world. No matter what, continue to write and live with purpose.
• 😀 Even when life breaks you, don't worry. Resharpen yourself and continue on stronger.
• 😀 Life is about learning from mistakes and improving yourself in the process.
• 😀 You must never forget the lessons of trust, growth, expression, and purpose to live a fulfilling life.
• 😀 The pencil's journey symbolizes the human experience of growth, learning, and perseverance.
• 😀 The pencil maker imparts wisdom to the pencil, encouraging it to be its best and fulfill its potential.

Q & A

What is the main lesson the pencil maker is teaching the pencil?

The pencil maker is teaching the pencil five essential lessons to guide its life. These include trusting others, embracing challenges, learning from mistakes, focusing on inner qualities, and leaving a positive mark on the world.

Why does the pencil maker tell the pencil to trust others?

The pencil maker emphasizes trust because, like a pencil that needs to be held to write, a person can achieve great things when they trust others and allow themselves to be guided.

What does the pencil maker mean by 'a painful sharpening'?

The 'painful sharpening' refers to life's challenges and hardships. Although painful, these experiences ultimately improve and refine a person, just like sharpening a pencil makes it more effective.

How does the pencil maker suggest handling mistakes?

The pencil maker encourages the pencil to embrace mistakes as opportunities for learning, implying that mistakes are an inevitable part of growth and should be corrected without fear.

What is meant by 'the most important part of you is what's on the inside'?

This statement emphasizes the significance of one's inner character, values, and actions, rather than external appearances. The pencil maker encourages the pencil to express itself authentically and be true to its purpose.

What is the significance of leaving a mark on every surface?

Leaving a mark symbolizes the importance of having a meaningful impact on the world. The pencil maker is encouraging the pencil to make a difference, no matter how big or small, as it moves through life.

What does the pencil maker mean by 'live well squander your life for a purpose'?

The pencil maker advises that life should be lived with intention, purpose, and integrity. Squandering life refers to wasting opportunities, while living for a purpose ensures a life filled with meaning and contribution.

What does the pencil maker mean when he says, 'If life breaks you, no worries, resharpen and continue'?

This advice is about resilience. If the pencil (or person) faces challenges or setbacks, the pencil maker reassures that they can recover, improve, and continue moving forward, emerging stronger after difficult experiences.

Why does the pencil maker emphasize the pencil's inside over its outside?

The pencil maker believes that what truly matters is the pencil’s internal qualities—its lead—which symbolizes a person's inner strength, beliefs, and actions. The outside may wear down, but the inside is what enables the pencil to fulfill its purpose.

What does the phrase 'trust in the world' signify in the context of the story?

In this context, 'trust in the world' is a reminder to have faith in life's process and in others. It encourages openness to experiences and a belief that the world will offer opportunities for growth and contribution.