Skills of persuasion exert a far greater influence over others’ behaviors than formal power structures do.”
–Robert B. Cialdini
Once in the animal kingdom of Abapa lived strong, big and gluttonous Python. Python seemed to suffocate, swallow anything that had breathe and crossed his path. Once when Python chanced upon a Gazelle in labor, he didn’t consider the precarious position of mother and unborn, he attacked and swallowed the laboring Gazelle to the horror of an expectant father and husband. Python ate the Pangolin, Warthog, Deer, Parrots, even Porcupine with his quills was not exempt. He didn’t care what state the animal was in, as long as he could catch it, it was fair game.
Reports started trickling in to Lion, the king.
“Python is flouting all the rules of hunting. At this rate my bloodline will be extinct soon,” cried Papa Gazelle.
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“Python just swallowed all my three babies,” Warthog complained.
“I believe we all agreed hunters should target the sick and elderly. Why has Python killed my able bodied son?” Questioned the Buffalo.
Everyday, complaint after complaint reached the Lion. The King did his best to caution Python but the more he cautioned, the more brazen Python became. Angry and out of options, the King offered a large, fertile piece of land to anyone who could successfully capture and imprison Python.
It was a sad day indeed, when the King made that announcement, because the animals knew attempting such a feat was practically a death sentence. For weeks they whispered among themselves how impossible the King’s proposed solution was.
The more time passed without a volunteer, the bolder Python became and the more brazen his killing sprees became.
Ananse, the cunning Spider curiously observed all the happenings, and a very clever plan began to shape in his clever mind. He paid Lion a visit oneway and said, “O mighty King of Abapa, you are wise indeed! In our part of the forest there is none wiser, stronger nor greater. No wonder you were born a King. Defender of the defenseless how gracious you are!”
“Do you have something to say or are you here flatter me with your silver tongue?” the King bellowed from his royal seat.
‘O mighty King, allow me to sing your praise! I have heard your excellent conflict resolution proposal. I have been actively listening to the others sing your praise in the fields. They say with your wisdom, our Python problem will be over soon,” Ananse replied.
“It won’t be over until someone volunteers and successfully accomplishes the task,” Lion replied.
“Dare I suggest something my King?” Ananse asked.
“Are you willing to give it a try?” the King inquired.
Ananse nervously scratched his head and answered, ” You know I’m not the strongest of them, I will be dead before my mission began. But perhaps mighty King, I am not trying to be persuasive or anything, but if you doubled the size of the land, it surely might entice some of the stronger animals.”
The King thought for a while and decided it was a great idea, so he sent his messenger, the town crier to send the message across the length and breadth of the kingdom that the prize had been doubled.
Weeks passed, still no one volunteered, and the rampant killing continued.
Ananse, with his skills of persuasion once again approached the king.
“O mighty Lion, you’re indeed father of us all. You’re wise beyond comprehension. Your leadership is impeccable! Have you found anyone to stop Python?”
“Ananse, no one has volunteered. I doubled the prize and yet nothing. At this rate I may have do this myself. I don’t know any other way to influence the others,” Lion responded.
“No great leader! Don’t soil your paws with the blood of your own citizen. Maybe if you tripled the prize, one of the strong ones will surely be influenced to take up the offer,” Ananse said.
“Ananse, tripling the size of land won’t persuade people to face Python. That snake is a nuisance and a murderer. I may just have to kill him and end this problem,” Lion replied.
“O mighty Lion, your leadership skills are evident. I have no doubt you’ll get down and dirty and take care of this yourself. But it is unbecoming of a King to go to war whiles his subjects sit and watch. King, Python is very insolent. He has grown in length and girth, he has no honor, he doesn’t fight fair. And I am no no way suggesting you’re weak but consider what will happen should Python successfully fight you off . You will be opening up your authority for challenge and ridicule, not to talk if he kills you,” Ananse replied.
Lion thought for a while, when he spoke he sounded defeated and sad, “I know you’re very clever Ananse. What do you suggest?”
” I suggest you quadruple the size of the prize land and add the hand of your beautiful daughter in marriage to whoever the gallant man is that dares arrest the Python.”
“You think that might persuade someone to try?” the King asked.
” I have been actively listening in the fields. Everybody is enamored by your daughter. Someone will step up and influence others to follow. Before long you will have a slew of volunteers.”
The town crier spread the news in the fields, “The prize land is quadrupled and the hand of the beautiful Princess in addition.”
Weeks passed. No one volunteered.
Ananse, visited the King again, “Great Lion —”
“Ananse save the praises. Our plan isn’t working,” Lion interjected.
“I have come to volunteer myself,” Ananse replied.
Lion burst out in thunderous laughter. He laughed so hard the palace shook.
“What amuses you so?” Ananse inquired.
The King couldn’t answer. He laughed.
When he finally calmed down, Lion said, “all Python needs to do is look in your direction and you’ll be dead.”
“All I ask is you do not breathe a word of this to anybody. Command everyone present in this palace today to not speak a word to anyone. And give me three days to deliver Python to you.”
The King decided to humor Ananse, so he agreed.
“Bring me the Python, subdued and alive and you will have the prize land and my daughter. Three days Ananse. And please don’t come back in a casket, neither you end up in that snake’s belly,” The King said.
Lion and Spider shook hands. The latter left the palace to set his plan in motion.
Ananse went into the forest to harvest abacá leaves and made a strong and long manila rope. He then employed the help of his eldest son, Ntikuma to harvest the tallest and strongest bamboo branch in the forest.
“We’re going to arrest Python today,” Ananse told his son as they walked along a footpath towards the river.
“That is why you woke me this early in the morning? And have me carry this heavy bamboo and rope, because you have a death wish?” Ntikuma asked angrily.
“I don’t have a death wish Ntikuma. We will get Python and take the King’s land and daughter,” Ananse replied.
“How do you intend to do that?”, Ntikuma asked.
“By the same means of persuasion I used to get Lion to quadruple the prize land and offer his daughter,” father said to son.
“You intend to get that big ole snake by means of persuasion? Persuasion skills is your plan? You think you can talk Python into an arrest?” Ntikuma asked, horrified.
“Son you do not understand. Neither do you know your father very well,” Ananse replied.
“Explain. I am on the verge of laying this bamboo down and returning home. I don’t have a death wish, persuasion skills huh?” Ntikuma said.
“The art of persuasion is a skill. Persuasion skills require three elements, first is pathos. We create an emotional connection and build rapport. When you move people at an emotional level, you can motivate them to change their thinking and take a particular action.
“Then there is ethos, which refers to character, believability, ethics. When you increase your credibility with your audience, maybe by citing true, verifiable examples and scenarios, it motivates them to take action.
” Lastly you need logos. Logic. Words. The reason for your argument. Everything you say must fit together like a jigsaw puzzle and make perfect sense.
“Son, the art of persuasion, when employed right is a million times more potent than brute force,” Ananse schooled his son.
“So pathos, ethos, and logos. Those are what is going to save this forest from the grips of Python? Skills of persuasion? Really? You’re not the most credible person in this forest, you think the pathos part will work? Python might just see through you,” Ntikuma said.
“Son, I am clever, not a liar. There is a difference. Communication skills, a little emotional intelligence, active listening skills, experience and many others come together for persuasion skills to bear fruit. Watch and learn son. Watch and learn,” Ananse said smiling.
Before long the duo came to the riverbank, it was deserted apart from a very active Python, slithering and frolicking in the mud.
“What a wonderful display of agility and sheer muscle!” Ananse exclaimed.
“Who dares disturb me this early in the day?” Python enquired turning to face the father and son duo.
“It’s just me Ananse and my eldest. I see you’re enjoying some much earned solitude,” Ananse replied.
“Yes. Because anyone with any sense knows to not come close to me. I rule. Th Lion may be King but I rule these lands. What are you two doing here this early? I don’t recall asking for breakfast in bed,” the snake cheekily replied.
“My son and I, we’re on our way to fix our hut with this here bamboo. We decided to take the shortcut. What with this bamboo being so heavy and all,” Ananse replied, motioning Ntikuma to lay the bamboo down and taking the rope.
“You do know why all the others avoid me right?” Python asked
“Sure I do! But what would a small spider such as myself do for you when buffalos and wildebeests abound?” Ananse replied
“You’re right. I don’t bother with small animals anymore. When I go for the kill, I go big,” Python said.
“Thats right! You look so healthy and fit. No wonder you eat well,” Ananse said.
“I grew two inches in girth and four inches in length in the past three weeks. Very soon I’ll be unstoppable,” Python said.
“Yes. Yes.Yes. I agree. I was just telling the Lion not to try to fight you because, well I mean we all know his claws and teeth are no match for your muscle and length.
“Lion wants to fight? How wonderful!” Python replied.
“Well yes. But I did tell him I think you’re longer than the tallest bamboo in the forest. I warned him you’re damn near invincible but he won’t believe me. After all I’m just bad ole cunning Ananse, nobody believes a word I say. And he had Zebra and the rest of the gentry arguing against me,” Ananse replied.
“Oh I am long! Long enough to coil around that arrogant Lion five times over and strangle him in a heartbeat,” Python replied.
“Interesting that we have this long bamboo meant for my home renovations. Do you mind me measuring you so I can show those arrogant bastards how much they underestimate you?
“Sure. I would love to be measured!”
“Can you lay beside the bamboo then? So I can mark where you measure up too?” Ananse requested.
The Python laid by the bamboo and measured just about an inch shorter.
“What? Aren’t you constricted somewhere? Make sure you stretch out fully because I know you’re longer than this bamboo,” Ananse encouraged.
The snake stretched and still came up just a little shorter.
Perhaps if I tied your tail to the bamboo, it’ll help you stretch the rest of your body,” Ananse said.
Python agreed. Ananse bound his tail to the bamboo.
“Now stretch, so when I show the others how long you’ve grown, it won’t be a lie, just a little stretching of the truth,” Ananse said.
Snake stretched some more but still came up short.
“Maybe I should bind your middle too,” Ananse said.
Snake agreed. And still came up just a little short.
And so Ananse and the Python spent the morning tying and stretching, until the snake was tightly bound to the bamboo, his body entirely covered with manila rope.
“Now son this is how skills of persuasion work. You don’t break a sweat, you don’t break a nail. You just speak to win. That is the power of persuasion over force,” Ananse said.
“I may just have to learn and practice this skills of persuasion then,” Ntikuma replied. He was shocked how his father had so cleverly influenced the fearsome beast into such a tight spot.
“Can you undo the ropes now?” Snake requested, still very much oblivious to his plight.
“Not a chance Python. Your days of irresponsible killings are over. I don’t know what Lion intends to do with you but I’m sure it involves a lesson or two about the importance of looking out for your neighbor,” Ananse responded.
The kingdom of Abapa rejoiced when the snake was put away and the unnecessary deaths stopped. And they also learned a timeless lesson, that persuasion was far more effective and less expensive than force.
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I love your stories. I try to figure them out as I read, but still enjoy the surprise of how it turns out.
Very good ways to make a point – through stories. Thank you.
I can totally relate to this parable. In my work, having amazing communication and persuasion skills often prevent the need for any confrontations, physical or otherwise.
This story really captivated me! Love the way it ended.
Beautiful story. I just wanted to keep reading and a wise lesson. Sometimes we feel force will get what we want but most times it ends in all feeling less than.
Wow, you are an amazing writer. I love it.
Always an amazing story. You have a special gift!
You are such a gifted storyteller! The lesson here is gold!
Gold nuggets available to all who read and hear the messages from you!
I love this story and the lessons that go with it. You are a talented writer.
What a wonderful lesson, told in a unique way!