Different Perspectives

My husband Doug and I love reading books together–I read, he listens. One of our favorite authors is Jennifer Fallon and her science fiction novels based in the land of Hythria.  Her first book is Medalon, followed by Treason Keep and Harshini.

WE LOVE HER BOOKS!! Her storytelling and character development are brilliant. Doug and I are reading book 2 Warrior in her second trilogy about Hythria. We came across the following reflections of a mother and a warlord from another province that clearly demonstrates the power of perception. Here it is…

"Along with all the other reasons Marla wanted to strangle her children at the moment, she was furious at her sons fur pulling this prank while Rogan Bearbow was here to witness it.

" ‘I don’t know where I’ve gone wrong with Damin,’ she said, forcing a laugh she didn’t feel. ‘He’s not normally so … reckless.’

" ‘In reality, Marla had sent Damin to his room to avoid the temptation of strangling him with her bare hands herself. Doesn’t he know the danger? she asked herself, over and over. Haven’t I impressed upon him yet how easy it would be for an assassin to slip a blade between his ribs in a crowded market? Why does he delight in tormenting me like this?

"The warlord nodded sympathetically, ‘It’s dreadful, isn’t it? All that hard work, the tutors, the training…and all you’ve got for your trouble is a very resourceful boy, smart enough to give Krakandar’s finest warriors the slip. A boy who’s so loyal to his friends that he’d rather be punished himself than let the others take the blame for something he was involved in. I can see why you’re so upset with your miserable failure.’

The same behavior from a son, two radically different interpretations. Where can you change your perception of how you see your child or a student? This is true power.