WHAT WILL MAKE THE COW DANCE?

Michal and Kental started arguing as
to which of them wrote the better music.

"My music is better," Michal said.
"My melodies bring tears to the eyes of
all women."

"No, my music is better," Kental
disagreed. "My scores are more
enchanting than anything! Your music
couldn't move a cow, my poor Michal."

"And what do you think? That your
scores would make it dance?"

The dispute was in full swing when a
peasant passed by, leading his cow back
home from the field. The two musicians
saw an opportunity to put their
theories to the test.

"Hello there," they said. "Would you
mind if we played something for your
cow?"

"Well, if it gives you pleasure, why
not? She's seen a lot worse in her day,
I can tell you."

Michal warmed his hands, tuned his
balalaika and played the most beautiful
melody ever heard by a cow. But without
result - the beast ruminated without
moving an ear. Vexed, Michal passed the
instrument to his compatriot, who
played a lively score with the same
result - no reaction from the cow.

"It's a lost cause," Michal cried.
"Your cow does not have a musical ear."

"Well, I don't know about that," the
peasant replied. "If you would lend me
your instrument for a moment, I could
play something for her."

Intrigued, Michal and Kental handed
over the balalaika. The peasant did his
best to imitate the humming of the
flies and the mooing of little cows.
The cow lifted her ears, started
whipping her tail from side to side,
and walked closer to the peasant as if
to hear the music better.

________________

If you have trouble communicating
with people, it may be that, like
Michal and Kental, you are not playing
the music they are used to hearing.

Don't try to flatter your listeners,
but speak with words that they
understand. Don't try to impose your
meaning by using words and sentences
that are too complex.

..........................................

"Because we think that we have to
persuade, we forget how to listen."
Robert Shapiro

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