StuporHeroes Parables, Episode 3: Tom Miffed
Each of these parables is a takeoff on a famous character. This one, after Tom Swift, is Tom Miffed.
I can’t believe my teacher gave me a B on my essay. I know it deserves at least a B+. But she wouldn’t even talk to me about it. She just said, “Tom, I’m tired of your complaining.”
Then it was my dad. He had promised we would go to Disneyland this weekend for my birthday but last minute, he said he had this work thing, some hoo-hah gala for fat-cat donors. I said, “How important could it be to kiss some fat cats’ asses? You do that all the time. Your work is more important than your son?!” He rolled his eyes and walked out.
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And today, it was my birthday party. I made soooh clear that I wanted a Cal basketball jersey: the blue one. Well, when it came time to open presents, my parents had gotten me Cal’s home jersey: white! White is totally ugly. On top of the Disneyland thing, I was so angry, I yelled and ran into my room.
Now I’m in my room hearing all the other kids making fun of me and they’re having a great time on my birthday while I’m sitting here with this ugly jersey and not at Disneyland, and I still can’t believe my teacher gave me only a B. That could lower my report card grade!
The moral: Yes, there are times to be unhappy and to complain, but do it too often and for things that are, in the long run, small, and you’ll be an unhappier person than you want to be.
I read this aloud on YouTube.
All nine episodes are here.
Marty Nemko is a career and personal coach, holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and is the author of 31 books including How to Do Life. You can reach Marty at mnemko@comcast.net
