Once upon a time there was a little boy who was determined to be the best at something, anything. He was a quiet little boy with few friends. No one disliked him at school, but no one liked him very much, either. The little boy was sure if he could succeed at something, then everyone would like him. He decided to take stock of what he was good at-and decided that he was best at playing video games on his X-box at home. However, he was not the best game player in the neighborhood. There were a few boys, maybe one or two, who occasionally beat him. So he resolved to become the best game player in his town.

             Everyday, after school, the boy would hurry home to his television set. It did not matter if it was sunny and bright, or windy and rainy. Even on a nice day, there he would be, perfecting his twists and turns at the video console. Even in school, he would be thinking and dreaming about video games. From the efforts he put into the games, his scores improved. Whenever the other boys came to his home to play against him, he was able to beat them. Gradually, as he got better and better he was able to beat his older brother and his father at the games. People joked about his 'flying fingers' and he was proud.

             But then summer came. Because he had not been practicing at any sports, he lagged behind the other boys in pick-up games of basketball and did not make the 'cut' for the summer baseball league. His grades were not as good that year, and he had to take a summer school class in social studies. The few friends he had began to drift away, because they were involved in other things. The little boy soon realized the moral of this parable-that it is not enough to be successful at something, anything-one must strive to succeed at a worthwhile pursuit.