#BookClub – The Three Questions

My turn to read one of the children’s books that Abbie found out were recommended for every business person should read.  Abbie has reviewed her book, The Lost Thing, and Alison has reviewed hers, The Tale I Told Sasha. I read The Three Questions, by Jon Muth. I almost think that Abbie gave me this book on purpose, because I ask a lot of questions!
The story starts out with a little boy named Nikolai, who felt uncertain on the right way to behave and respond to situations. So he asks his animal friends, as we all do, what he should do. Nikolai asks three questions to each friend, and he is positive that if he gets the answers to them, he will know what to do.
His three questions:

• When is the best time to do things?
• Who is the most important one?
• What is the right thing to do?

After getting no help from the bird, monkey or dog, he goes off to ask the old turtle.  Leo, the turtle, was digging in his garden when Nikolai came up. Nikolai offered to dig in the garden for Leo, since he was so old and probably was tired. While they were digging, they heard a cry for help.  Turns out, a panda had fallen out of the tree and Nikolai picks him up and takes him home to fix his broken leg. Then, Nikolai goes back out to save the panda’s child. After rescuing both panda’s in need, Nikolai is still sad because he does not have his answers. The turtle reminded him that if he was not at the right place, at the right time, he would have not been able to rescue the panda’s and said:
“Remember then that there is only one important time, and that time is now. The most important one is always the one you are with. And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing at your side. For these, my dear boy, are the answers to what is most important in this world.”
That is one smart turtle.
The business lessons from this book? Instead of trying to find the right answers for everything at once, find the right answers to the issue/project that you are tasked with now. Handle one thing at a time, and the rest will be clear.