The best way to deal with a perceived or real weakness is to turn it into a strength.

A few days ago, I came across a thought-provoking story and its message stayed with me long after I moved away and got busy in other things.

It was the story of two frogs who fell into a deep well. 

The unfortunate duo landed on a narrow ledge that was all that stood between them and sure death, several hundred feet below. The two frogs started jumping in vain attempts to leap out of the deathtrap. 

The other frogs peered down from the rim, clucking (croaking?) their tongues and lamenting the fate of their 2 unfortunate companions. Instead of encouragement, they rained down defeatist comments. “There’s no way you can jump out,” etc.

After several unsuccessful attempts, one frog was so disheartened that he got careless, missed his step and plunged to his death below.

The other frog, however, unmindful of the chorus of negativity above him, continued to jump. Till finally, one last leap led him right to the top and out of the dreary well. 

The naysayers, while happy for the frog, were curious to know why he hadn’t paid heed to their comments.

That’s when the frog revealed his secret. 

He was stone deaf and hadn’t heard a word of what they had been shouting. He thought they had been cheering him and that had spurred him on to fight for his survival.

His ears had served him when he needed their service the most – they blocked out the negativity from penetrating his brain. 

Moral of the story: Sometimes, a perceived handicap can become your greatest strength.