The old ones taught us, “Sometimes you bend. Sometimes you break.”
We didn’t understand the meaning of these words when young. We thought bending or breaking might hurt.
Our tribe lived by rules. They guided us and protected our ways. We thought they couldn’t be broken. Experience taught us the true meaning of the old ones’ words.
When times grew hard, we bent the rules and hunted beyond our lands. When need arose, we broke our rules and added new.
When survival in a harsh world challenges, it’s better to bend or break tradition than perish. We must be willing to adapt in order to survive.
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Ross's Writing Blog 
The Writers Village
October 2, 2012 at 01:59
nice adage..
but if you are found stealing from my tribal land, it be war…. –
Ross Mannell
October 6, 2012 at 08:33
Thanks for the comment.
The tribe has rules to deal with war. 🙂
Judie McEwen
October 3, 2012 at 07:33
Ross, some people cling to the old way much too long. If one cannot learn to adapt, one will be left behind.
Ross Mannell
October 6, 2012 at 08:38
Thanks for the comment.
If we look through history, we can find many examples where cultures or societies aren’t willing to face change.
Karen S.
October 4, 2012 at 14:35
You are so right, sometimes you just have to do whatever it takes to survive. Very well put!
Ross Mannell
October 6, 2012 at 08:42
Thanks for the comment.
The will to survive can give us strength to make choices we might not have once considered.
Jenny Matlock
October 9, 2012 at 10:52
Survival of the fittest?
Or the toughest?
Or just the ones most unwilling to give up and break for good?
Really awesome writing as always Ross!