Chapter 21 – Learning by Doing It
After overcoming the first challenge, the woman began giving Salimo more responsibilities. It wasn't just changing water or sweeping the yard: now he had to observe the birds' behavior, notice when they were sick, identify which ones were laying eggs, and even separate the food into appropriate portions.
He discovered that every detail made a difference. If the corn was left scattered on the ground, the pigeons would soon come and steal some. If the water wasn't changed on time, the chickens would drink dirty water and become weak. Salimo learned that caring for the crop required constant attention, as if each day were a new lesson.
At first, he made mistakes. Once, he forgot to close the chicken coop gate properly, and a dog got in, causing a commotion. He felt guilty, but the woman didn't reprimand him harshly. She simply said:
"Making mistakes is part of learning. The important thing is not to repeat them."“
Those words resonated deeply with him. With each failure, he redoubled his caution. With each success, he felt more confident. Over time, he no longer waited for orders: he anticipated them, knowing what to do.
In his suburban backyard, Salimo realized he was building not only experience, but also character. He discovered discipline, patience, and the joy of seeing the results of his own effort.
You Can: Learning by doing means transforming mistakes into stepping stones and successes into confidence.
