Be Inspired and Motivated by the Little Girl and the Snail
Be Inspired and Motivated by the Little Girl and the Snail
By Susan Chan, November 2008, updated on Oct 2009!
I was searching for publishers who publish Children’s books because I have written a book. This is an 
Alphabet book based on Australian themes.
I came across a publisher who publishes folklore tales. So naturally my mind raced to writing one. I was thinking about some of the folklore stories that I remembered from my childhood. Then I remembered one story which is inspirational and motivational, and I believe is educational and beneficial to children.
Immediately, I started writing it as a children’s story but then I changed my mind the next day.
Why?
It is because the story is inspirational and motivational to both children and adults too. Since I have posted a few blogs (articles) on relationship, teamwork and conflict resolution, I thought I could include this one as the motivation topic. I hope that parents would print this story and read it to your children as a short bedtime story.
Here is one Inspirational Burmese Story
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named ‘little Jasmine’. She was 8 years old and studying in primary school. Although she loved school, Little Jasmine was not very keen on homework
The teacher taught many subjects. At the end of each day, the teacher asked the students to revise and memorise what they have been taught for that day, like poems and multiplication tables. Then the teachers asked each student to read the poem, or the multiplication tables in the class.
Poor Little Jasmine was the only one who could not remember the whole poem or the multiplication tables. She was always the laughing stock of the class. She assumed she had tried hard and yet it was just too difficult for her to concentrate on memorising for so long.
Then one day, the teacher asked the students to memorise a new and difficult poem. She also announced that whoever could read out the poem most efficiently (by heart) would win a prize. The prizes included some books, school stationery, and school uniforms.
Everyone wanted to win the prize including little Jasmine. When Little Jasmine told her friends that she wanted to win the prize, they all laughed at her. Every time, her friends made fun of her, Little Jasmine did not mind but this time she was determined to show them that she could win the prize.
After dinner that evening, Little Jasmine began to study and memorise the poem outside her house in the backyard (it was still bright!). After a while she just could not concentrate any more. But she forced herself again to continue. Her mind wandered off again. She gave up when she became too tired and sleepy.
Then Little Jasmine noticed a little snail on an old and wet wooden fence. The fence was slippery because it had been raining earlier. Little Jasmine saw that the little snail was trying to climb up the fence. Suddenly the little snail fell off the slippery fence on its way up. As Little Jasmine continued to watch the little snail, it began to climb up the fence again. Half way through its journey, it fell off the slippery fence, again. At this point, Little Jasmine was fascinated by this little snail because it tried to climb up the fence again. Finally, at last, it went up and over the fence and out of Little Jasmine’s sight.
Little Jasmine was amazed by what she had just witnessed. She thought “look at the little snail. It failed but it tried again and again and finally succeed in its mission. It was because it did not give up. If the little snail can achieve its goal, why couldn’t I achieve the same?” Little Jasmine was suddenly inspired and motivated by the little snail’s adventure.
She returned to her poem and began to memorise it with new found determination and energy. She was memorising it past her usual sleep time.
The next day, Little Jasmine arrived at school early. When the class commenced, the teacher asked the students if they have memorise the poem already. Only a few students put up their hands in response to the teacher’s question. Everyone laughed including the teacher when they saw Little Jasmine’s hand up in the air. But Little Jasmine did not say anything.
The students took turn to read the poem out loud. Although they could memorise the poem and read it well but they stuttered at some part of the poem. Then it was Little Jasmine’s turn and everyone laughed. But their laughter died as soon as Little Jasmine began to read out the poem loud and clear. Everyone including the teacher could not believe what they have just seen and heard. Little Jasmine had completed reading her poem beautifully without even getting stuck for a word.
There was a silence and then followed by applaud for Little Jasmine!
Little Jasmine won the prize as the best student to read the poem.
As for myself, I have just received an offer of contract from an Australian publisher to publish my Traditional Chinese Soups and Drinks cookbook. I started writing this book 9 years ago when my niece was born and I completed the manuscript in 2004. It was rejected by more than 25 publishers around the world. Then I got pregnant and my son was born and I had other priorities. But early this year I sent my Alphabet on Australia book to the publishers and I thought of sending my Chinese Soups and Drinks cookbook again. Now 6 months later, I am so happy with the offer of contract.
I know there are so many people who is going through the same process of getting the books published and some may get rejected. But just remember that it is nothing personal. Keep on finding publishers and one day you will find a publisher who will accept your book!
Although my Alphabet on Australia book has been rejected by the publishers that I have submitted, I am also searching for more publishers around the world to submit my book. I am sure that one day, some where in this world, there is one publisher who will take up my book! Right now, it is my responsibility to rewrite, reedit, research and resend it to other publishers!