Princess Zulimar’s father issued the challenge. To marry Zulimar, suitors must pirouette across the sea to his island palace.
Prince Perfect practiced the dizzying dance to exhaustion.
One day, kind Lady Dungeness intruded upon Perfect, sleeping on the beach. “Prince Suitable is pirouetting to the palace today,” she warned.
“Impossible! He just began practicing,” Perfect said.
“You’re ready! Go now!” Lady Dungeness encouraged.
“Not yet.” He believed his pirouettes still imperfect.
Months later, Perfect whirled to the palace.
A man greeted him, “You’re too late.”
It was King Suitable.
Perfect became light-headed. “But, I’m Perfect.”
“Indeed, you are. But Suitable succeeded.”
Very instructive to decision making. Loved it.
Maybe the 80/20 rule works? Thanks for reading!
Very nice! Love the irony too. Congrats
Scott
Thank you Scott!
Perfect?
Maybe? Thanks for reading!
Story is perfect (not merely suitable). I loved the allegory!!
Thanks Albert! It was fun to write… 🙂
Very clever!
Thanks for the compliment Laura! And for commenting.
Perfect allegory–so well done!
Thank you for that Michelle!
Love it – this story could be a great learning tool for software developers and other project related efforts
Interesting Andrew J. Glad you could relate!
Loved this. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder 😉
Aha SBC! Hadn’t thought of that…….Thank you.
Excellent story, Elizabeth! Well done.
Robert… thanks for that!
Great life lesson! Thoroughly enjoyed the writing. Lots of fun, too.
Thank you for reading Giulietta…. glad you had fun! It was much fun to write.
Love it, a delightful graphic message for those perfectionists amongst us
Yes Erica! It’s about the balance perhaps. Thank you for reading.
I loved it. Of course I did, I always love what you write!!
You’re too kind Jo Ann! Appreciate it. Thanks!
Surely a new fable! Fabulous!!
Hello Dhananjay. Well that would be something! Thank you for reading.
As a recovering perfectionist, I feel both seen and attacked by this wonderful little story. I loved the whimsical feel of the story and the tension we get as readers knowing to fear for Prince Perfect even if he can’t see it himself, despite the warning. Well done!
Hi Kristie. Glad this resonated with you. I really like the comment, “…I feel both seen and attacked.” So interesting. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
As I always told my employees, “The perfect is the enemy of the good. If you wait until something is perfect, you will never launch.”
Spoken from experience ! Thank you for reading Bob!
So suitable. Ha ha ha ?
Maybe Suitable is laughing? Thanks Chetana.
What a very nice cautionary tale. Loved the choice of names for the characters.
Hi David. Glad you like the tale and their names. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Love your storyl. Billy always said that perfect was the enemy of good. So true..
Thanks Barbara… Billy was wise… 🙂
A ‘must bedtime read’ for interviewers facing a dilemma. A nice modern fairytale.
Interesting Kelly! Glad it resonated….
Thank you for commenting.