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For my son, Peter Whelan. I named him after my dad.
Those things that hurt, instruct. — Benjamin Franklin
The Story
When I was a little boy, there wasn't anyone nearby for me to play with. I grew up in the Irish-Catholic settlement of Brudenell, Ontario, Canada. It was a ghost town before I was born. Less than thirty people lived there.
But I loved to run around all day and explore our huge backyard. My teddy bear would sit in my wagon and watch me. He was blind in one eye, just like my dad. I loved my teddy bear.
Sometimes, I'd run with my arms out, pretending I could fly. Have you ever done that?
One day, a rake had been left lying against my wagon, with the teeth side up. I didn't see it. I stepped on the rake. The handle flipped up and smacked me, really hard, right on my nose.
It hurt me so much. I could smell my own blood. My eyes filled up with water.
I looked at the rake. I was so angry at it.
"Bad rake! Bad rake! You hurt me!"
I wanted to punish that rake.
But the rake just lay there.
The rake didn't know it hurt me. The rake didn't mean to hurt me. And yet I was filled with rage at that rake.
Sometimes there is #Nothing2Forgive.
About the Book
The Rake is a true story of a boy stepping on a rake and hurting himself. He is outraged by this and demands the rake be punished. It's a simple story to discuss a simple truth. Sometimes there is #Nothing2Forgive. Just because you feel hurt or angry doesn't mean that you have a good reason to seek revenge.
Every week we read of people being attacked by outragists who feel justified in attacking others due to some small slight. It's the hope of this story to remind you to consider other possibilities when you feel wronged.
About the Author
I'm Peter Whelan, author of the jury award winning book The Rake, available on Amazon. I've spent my career in IT and cybersecurity. I live in Mississauga with my wife Annie and our son Peter. We named him after my dad.
If you would like me to speak to your group about the lesson of the rake and how it relates to the people you deal with every day, email bookings@TheRakeBook.com.
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The Rake