Fable of the Porcupine

“It was the coldest winter in anyone’s memory, and one animal after another perished in the icy weather. The porcupines saw this and decided the only way they would survive is if they grouped together to share their warmth.
This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions. They stayed warm, but the pain they suffered was too great so after awhile they decided to distance themselves one from the other.
They began to die, alone and frozen.
Even porcupines could see that was never going to do. They had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.
They decided to go back to being together.
The porcupines chose to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the warmth that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.
The moral of the story: The best relationship is not the one that brings perfect people together. It is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person’s good qualities.”
Last night Tom Basson sent this out as his post, it was the first time I have heard this story. I loved it immediately!
Though there are many versions of the fable if you search for an author they all have a similar moral – would you rather die, unhurt or live, bruised?
A Very Significant question, wouldn’t you say?
What is your choice?
This post was originally published August 21, 2012 and is being recycled as part of the “I’ve Been Around” summer! Hope you enjoyed it and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!