NARRATOR: Once upon a time there was a little village in the middle of the woods. One day there was going to be a contest to see who could cut more trees. That day, Tim, the youngest man in the village, decided to enter the contest.
TIM: Father, I am sure I’ll win this contest!. I’m young, big and strong.
FATHER: I know, but don’t be too sure.
TIM: This afternoon I’ll come back home with the priz. A thousand gold coins!. And you will never have to work again in your entire life.
FATHER: I hope so, son.
Tim: I have to go.
FATHER: Good luck!.
NARRATOR: A few hours later, only two finalists remained. Tim and a very old man.
TIM: Well, well, well, this is going to be easier than what I thought. Mmm, in a few minutes that old man will be out of the contest.
JURY 1: Are you both ready?.
OLD MAN: Whenever you say.
JURY 2: Start… now!.
NARRATOR: Both man started to cut the trees. An hour later, the old man sat under a tree.
TIM: What’s wrong with him?. Doesn’t he want to win?. Well, what do I care, I have to work faster and faster. I can’t stop!.
NARRATOR: Then the old man stood up, and began to cut trees once again. But an hour later, he sat down again under the tree.
TIM: I can’t believe it!. He got tired again!.
JURY 1: Stop!.
JURY 2: Time’s up!. Let’s count the trees.
NARRATOR: The jury counted the trees, and the old man was the one that cut more trees.
TIM: It’s impossible!. He sat often to rest!. Count the trees again!.
JURY 1: Very well, we’ll count the trees again.
JURY: I am sure we didn’t make a mistake.
NARRATOR: A few minutes later, the jury said.
JURY 1: The old man won the contest, there’s no doubt about it.
JURY 2: We are sorry Tim, but you lost.
TIM: How could it be?. I must know how he did it, I must learn something from this experience.
NARRATOR: So Tim asked the old man how he did it.
TIM: Tell me, old man, how did you do it?. I saw you sitting under that tree, several times, and I didn’t stop for a minute.
OLD MAN: Look young man, I wasn’t resting under that tree.
TIM: Then, what were you doing there?.
OLD MAN: I sat often to sharpen my ax. It’s very important that once in a while you too sit down to sharpen your ax, or you will not reach your goal.