CLASH OF THE TITANS: How Peerless Got Its Name!

Introduction

Greetings, Dear Ones:

You are about to embark on a great journey – a journey of self-discovery!

On your journey, many truths will be revealed and it is there that you will find your true self.

When you complete the journey, you will know who you are, where you are going, and you will be equipped to get there.

Are you ready?

Then, let’s get going!!

You are about to discover

How Peerless Got its Name!

Enjoy!

Betty

CLASH OF THE TITANS

How Peerless Got Its Name

Sit back and relax and I’ll tell you a tale of two mighty titans and the change of a name.

Storyteller: “Once upon a time, there was a land, far, far away called Professionalism. And in this land were two sister towns called Mediocrity and Achievement.

Mediocrity was a normal town, on the outside that is, but, internally, it was inhabited by the likes of:

 Count De Characterless - the patron of the town; 

 Madame de Colorless - the Couturier; 

 Insipid de Baker - manufacturer of pastries and cakes; 

Mademoiselle Fair to Middling - Director of the Chamber of Commerce; 

Monsieur Insignificant - the Schoolmaster; 

Madame Uncivil - the Postmistress; and such other citizens as:

Poor Quality - the Restauranteur; 

Monsieur Procrastination - the Sanitary Engineer; 

Madame Humiliation - the Tragedian; and 

Friar Uninspired - the Priest. 

This was not a happy town.

About three miles west of Mediocrity, and in the shadow of Mount Inconsequential, lay the Town of Achievement, population 125, and growing. It was a small, happy town but, to hear the people of Mediocrity talk, it was the strangest town you could ever visit.

The people in Achievement were prosperous, and hardworking, and this was immediately evident as soon as you entered the town.

Anyway, according to the residents of Mediocrity, Achievement was one strange town because everybody was happy when they were working and, believe it or not, almost everybody in the town had the same first name. They were all called Iam.”

Storyteller (stops telling the story): I really don’t understand why the people of Mediocrity think the people of Achievement strange for having the same first name when almost everyone in Mediocrity is called WeAre. They call other people strange but they don’t see themselves. It’s really a shame.

Storyteller (back to the story): “Anyway, the Town of Achievement was absolutely marvelous to behold. The streets were clean as everyone recycled their garbage. The chimney stacks puffed out little white clouds of smoke, the water-fountain held crystal-clear water, and rainbow fish frolicked in the pond. The smell of freshly baked bread floated in the air and the aroma of roast chicken tickled your nose and invited you stomach to feast. The town was growing daily.

Now, the Mediocres (that’s what the people in Mediocrity called themselves) were very envious of the Achievers, and often complained about Achievement having nicer things than Mediocrity, even though Mediocrity was a much bigger town.

One day, in the midst of all the confusion and arguing that was an everyday part of Mediocrity life, a calm, but strange, voice was heard to speak.

Immediately, the quarreling and arguing stopped for everyone to see who the unwelcome visitor was who dared to interrupt their routine.

The crowd parted and, lo and behold, there stood Master Iam Always Competent, the doctor from Achievement.

Everyone had heard of Master Competent and, without exception, every one of them had, at one point or another, promised to visit the good doctor but had never gone to Achievement to see him because, well, it was too far.

Those people were so lazy!

Master Competent had come over to Mediocrity because of a story told to him by Monsieur Average and his wife, Madame Commonplace.

Monsieur Average and Madame Commonplace had told Master Competent that they were tired of the malaise, constant bickering and general lack of ability in Mediocrity, and had decided that Achievement was the town for them.

They were also expecting a baby and wanted a better life for their offspring.

Now, Master Competent had been listening to the tales of woe and misfortune pouring forth from the mouths of those Mediocre citizens and he had heard quite enough, thank you very much. He was a no-nonsense, let’s get the job done kinda guy who knew how to get a job done right, and all the moaning and groaning was really getting on his nerves.

Master Competent: “People of Mediocrity. I have stood here and listened to your tales of woe and misfortune and, to hear you tell it, your misfortunes are caused by everybody else save yourselves. Not one of you has said that he is responsible for his condition. Isn’t it time you faced reality and realize that you have no one to blame for your problems but yourselves?

You say that the people of Achievement have more than you do. Yes, we do. But do you know why?”

Crowd: Grumbling and mumbling.

Master Competent: “I see. No answer. Hmm. Well, let me tell you why there is more, for everyone, in Achievement.

Our town is populated by individuals who are proud of themselves and their accomplishments. These are people with inquiring minds who are willing to put in the time and energy necessary to ensure that a job gets done, and they are willing to go the extra mile to accomplish this.

Our citizens are justifiably proud of themselves and it shows in the work they do. They make sure that they have the tools necessary to do a job, and they pride themselves in doing it well.

They are respectful of, and deal openly and directly with, each other. They exercise initiative as and when called for. They are open to change, believing strongly in self-exploration. They are not vague when they speak to others and are not confrontational in their dealings.

There is Iam Qualified, the Plumber. He considers himself a master craftsman and it shows in the caliber of work he produces.

And there’s Lady Polished, the Beautician. She considers herself an artist and each client a new canvas. She also considers it her job to produce a work of art for every job she undertakes, and pride in performance is evident in everything that she does.

Then there’s Iam Sharp, the Policeman. And, yes, as his name suggests, he is as sharp as a tack. His powers of observation are keen and nothing gets past him. Thanks to Iam Sharp, our town is free from crime and strife.”

Angry Voice in Crowd: “That’s only because your people have satisfying jobs to go to, enough to eat, and are happy and healthy!”

Master Competent: “Yes, that’s true! But it wasn’t always that way.

Once, a long time ago, our town was called Slothful and it was very much like your Mediocrity. Our citizens were people like Very Lazy, Iam Lackluster, Always Unkempt, No Imagination, Too Petty, So Petulant, Not myJob, Don’t Care, Can’t doThat, Not Now, Do-it Later, It-Won’t Work, No Morale, WeAre Stagnant and Insecurity Personified.

Then, one day, a new family moved into town. They said that wherever they’d tried to settle, they were always asked to leave because they made the other citizens look bad.

They said that they believed in themselves and that they could do anything they set their minds to. They also said they were called the Achievers and if the town would let them stay, they would help to turn the town around so that everyone could be happy and productive.

Well, the citizens of Slothful had gotten tired of business as usual, not having enough of anything, and were more than ready to change their ways, so they allowed the Achievers to stay.”

Crowd is getting agitated.

Petulant voice in Crowd: “But there is no one here to motivate us to change!”

Master Competent: “I am here and I have brought some of my friends with me. They want to help you get yourselves and your town back on track. Of course, they can only help you if you really want to change.

Crowd yelling boisterously: “We do want to change. We really do!”

Elderly voice in Crowd: “You know, it used to be funny when I was a young fellow to put off doing everything because tomorrow was always there. But now, seeing the results of our procrastination and inability to make even the simplest decisions makes me realize that there is indeed more to life than loafing about.”

Voices in the Crowd: “True! True!”

Master Competent: “My friends, show yourselves!”

Crowd: Jostling and moving about.

Master Competent: “Over there is Iam Dreaming, the Inventor, a really brilliant fellow who dreams big and comes up with ingenious solutions for everyday problems.

And right there is Knowing MyStuff, the Handyman — he can fix anything.

This fellow right here is Skilled, the Tailor — oh, you really need him. And there’s Creativity, the Builder and his partner, Cracker Jack, the Lumberman; there is Always Asking-Why, the Brainiac, who will solve any problem that you pose to him; and these are my very dear friends, Skilled, the Librarian, his wife, Able, the Schoolteacher and their daughter, Willing. Between them, they can get you started toward changing your way of living.

                                                                  

But, I also have some very special people with me who say that they would be pleased to live in your town, if you’d have them. They are, Caution and Confidence and their three children, Contentment, Courage and Curiosity. Then there’s Determination and his wife, Effort, and their children Imagination and Inspiration. The twins, Opportunity and Optimism. The triplets, Patience, Perfection and Prudence. Self-Control, his wife Spontaneity and their children Striving and Success. And there is Old Man Wisdom and his help-meet Yearning, and the cousins, Facilitate, Motivate, Coordinate and Titillate. These are good people and will be of great assistance to you.

Curiosity will Titillate your Imagination and your Yearning for Opportunity.

Motivate will give you the Courage, Determination, Self-Control and Optimism necessary for you to be able to Coordinate your Effort to get a job started.

Facilitate will aid you in your Striving for Success.

Prudence will Caution you and grant you Wisdom while teaching you Patience.

And when your spirits are flagging,

Imagination will grant you the Inspiration necessary for you to use your Spontaneity to act creatively and aspire to Perfection.

Don’t they sound like the kind of people you would want to befriend? Wouldn’t you want them to help you change your town?”

Crowd: “Yes! Yes!”

Master Competent: “Well, my friends. I guess you have a new home.”

Crowd: “Three cheers for Master Competent! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!!”

Master Competent: “Thank you for your kind gesture. However, since my friends are going to be living in your town, you will have to give yourselves a new name. After all, a name like Mediocrity would not do for people who are being primed for performance. Any suggestions?”

Crowd: Mumbling excitedly amongst themselves.

Storyteller: The spineless Count de Characterless, celebrated wimp and all round shiftless Patron of Mediocrity, humbled by all that has transpired, walks to Master Competent and, raising his hand for silence, speaks.

Count De Characterless (in flowery tones): “Esteemed and Most Honorable Master Competent, as Patron of the Town soon to be formerly known as Mediocrity, I thank you most graciously for removing the blinkers from our eyes and showing us that we, too, can become productive and lead exciting, fulfilling lives. We will change our ways and we invite your good friends to dwell amongst us — we bid you welcome.”

Crowd: Cheering boisterously.

Count De Characterless: “I, along with Mediocrity, will change my name. From this day forth, let the name Characterless be stricken from our records and in its place, let the name Integrity be written.

Let the Town formerly known as Mediocrity be called Peerless for we have seen the light, and we will change our ways.

Master Competent, we owe you a debt of gratitude, but, with your assistance and that of your friends, we will repay our debt and make you proud.”

Crowd: Cheering wildly.

Count D’Integrity: “People of Peerless!”

Crowd: Roaring its approval.

Count D’Integrity: “People of Peerless — that really sounds good, doesn’t it?

Our town has a new name, and I have a new name, and since it can no longer be business as usual in our Town now known as Peerless, each and everyone of you must acquire new names for yourselves.

Please return to your homes and contemplate this task and at sundown, this very day, we will meet again to celebrate our rebirth.”

Storyteller: “That evening, the town’s people returned with their new names and proudly sounded forth when the roll was called.”

Count de Characterless became Count D’Integrity; 

Madame de Colorless became Madame de Vibrant; 

Insipid de Baker became Savory de Baker; 

Mademoiselle Fair to Middling became Mademoiselle Incomparable; 

Madame Uncivil became Madame Refined; 

Monsieur Poor Quality became Monsieur Prime; 

Monsieur Procrastination became Monsieur Expedite; and 

Madame Humiliation became Madame Honorable.

Storyteller: “Sadly, Monsieur Insignificant and Friar Uninspired were amongst those who had found it difficult coming up with new names for themselves.

Can you think of positive names for Friar Uninspired and Monsieur Insignificant?

Anyway, the people of the Town now known as Peerless thrived under the watchful eyes of Master Competent and his friends.

People who formerly thought it acceptable to start things and not finish them were exerting themselves to deliver work as promised.

People were seeing the world through the eyes of others and were no longer vague in their dealings.

Some of them had even gone so far as to be able to let others see the real people that they were without showing off.

The change in evidence was so mind-boggling that Peerless prospered, and grew, and soon became a favored stop on the tourist route in the Land of Professionalism.”❖

Go Introspective!

1. What are the names of the two sister towns in the Land of Professionalism?

2. Who is Count de Characterless and why do you believe he has that name?

3. Madame Uncivil is tiny, round and personable and is very kind to everybody she meets? T / F

4. Assume that your name is Monsieur Procrastination. Describe yourself and how you would spend a typical day.

5. Why was the Town of Achievement considered strange by the residents of the Town of Mediocrity?

6.  Compared to Achievement, describe your vision of the appearance of the town of Mediocrity.

7. True or False.

         (a)  The people of Mediocrity were industrious and well off. T / F

(b) The people of Achievement were grumblers and complainers. T/F

(c) Master Competent was the Director of the Chamber of Commerce in the Town of Mediocrity. T / F

8. In your opinion, how did Mediocrity get its name?

9. What, in your estimation, are some of the reasons, beyond the obvious, that caused the Mediocres to be constantly complaining?

10. What was the Town of Achievement formerly known as?

11. What is the theme of this story?

12. “Hello! My name is Narcissism. I love myself and vanity is my second name. I am filled with my own self-importance and do not have the time to think about work. I become very resentful if anyone points out any defects in my personality. I am a great lover of ostentation and I am also very pretentious. I am looking for a new home.”

                                                                     

(a) Given Narcissism’s view of himself, would you recommend that he live in Achievement?

13. The following is a list of some of the new residents of the town now known as Peerless. Choose three (3) of the residents and create your own special person. Describe your special person and explain why these characteristics appeal to you.

Caution                      Determination                    Perfection

Coordinate                 Contentment                      Curiosity

Spontaneity               Opportunity                        Optimism

Patience                     Inspiration                          Effort

14. To the best of your understanding, interpret the following phrase:

“Prudence will Caution you and grant you Wisdom while teaching you Patience.”

15. Friar Uninspired, when he could get people to attend services, was known to put people asleep faster than you could say “boring!” He is having trouble finding a suitably positive name for himself. Rename him and give reasons for your choice.

16. Monsieur Insignificant, Mediocrity’s school-master and priest, has always been trifling and petty and noted for his storehouse of irrelevant information. He needs a new name and doesn’t know what to call himself. Rename him and give reasons for your choice.

17. Why did Monsieur Average and Madame Commonplace leave Mediocrity?
18. Why were the Mediocres jealous of the Achievers?

19. In your opinion, why were Master Competent’s friends willing to go to the Town of Mediocrity?

20. Name five (5) of Master Competent’s friends who were willing to move to the Town of Mediocrity.

(a) Define each person’s character.

(b) Describe what you believe each would be bringing to the new town by way of their talents

21. In your opinion, why did Master Competent insist that Mediocrity change its name?

22. Describe what you believe to be the worst trait in your own personality.

23. Assume that you have the power to change your worst trait into a positive feature.

(a) With what would you replace this trait? Why?

24. I have lived in a tower room in Count D’Integrity’s castle for more than 50 years after helping my parents sow the seeds of discord. Suddenly I’m hearing the voices and sounds of a vibrant society. I must put a stop to this madness. Who am I?

a. Counter-force b. Counter-mine

c. Counter-productive d. Counterpane

25. Six months after Master Competent left his friends in Peerless, he sent a note to Count D’Integrity. The messenger was way-laid by Misinformation and Miscommunication and the following is the message received by Count D’Integrity. Could you help him decipher the message?

Discourtesies and unkind wishes for success in your endeavors. Reports from visitors to your town heap criticisms on you for the manner in which you have ruined yourselves and desolated your community. Achievement is getting requests for detractors to go abroad to hinder others like your former selves from effecting change. Keep up the good work and give my inglorious wishes to your residents.

Failure to all,

Master Competent