Blue Cat has been on vacation for the past 3 weeks, and he wanted to check out things around his house. So he went up to the top of the clock where he could see well.
It was a great idea, but he forgot that this was also the place he goes to hide from his scribe’s granddaughter when she visits. And so when the other stuffed animals saw him up there, they thought a toddler visit was imminent. And they started to join him.
Blue Cat enjoyed the company, but Tux the penguin saw that there was a crowd and that they needed more cover. Which did not help Blue Cat at all with his view of the house.
As you can see, Tux’s action was super effective, but not in a way that helped. That’s what we mean by an unintended consequence! Blue Cat didn’t realize his action would be misinterpreted by others, and that their resulting actions would cause him so much trouble. He learned that leaders need to be clear in their example, and that followers need to ask instead of just assuming. Otherwise everyone just gets covered in trouble.
So be careful what you do, and make sure your friends don’t panic because of what they think is happening. And don’t let penguins get hold of camoflauge!
© William P Doyle, Jr 2013 All Rights Reserved
Blue Cat's View 