The Man Breaking the Statue of Hermes
Long ago, there lived a poor man who owned a wooden deity statue in his house. The man prayed to the statue every day and begged to become rich and escape his troubles. However, no matter how much the man prayed, his poverty increased further and his condition worsened. Finally running out of patience and growing angry, the man grabbed the statue by its leg and smashed it against the wall.
Hundreds of gold coins scattered all around from inside the broken wooden statue. In astonishment, the man gathered the gold and began talking to the statue. "When I approached you with kindness and prayer, you did not help me," said the man. "However, when I broke and punished you, you granted me great wealth," he added.
Some ungrateful and stubborn personalities do not understand gentle treatment, but come into line when faced with harsh reactions. Hard hearts that sweet words cannot soften are brought into line only by firm and resolute attitudes. There is no beauty without hardship. An ungrateful person does not understand kindness. Some people only understand harshness. He who does not come around with sweet words yields to force.
Kindness does not open every door. He who does not understand justice needs punishment. A crooked tree is straightened with a stick. Determination is required against bullying. Ingratitude does not go unpunished.