An old king with three sons fair,
Each he loved with equal care.
The older one obedient, hoped to succeed the throne,
The second one meek, desired himself to be on the throne,
The youngest born deformed, wasn’t to scale the throne.

Summers turned to winters and winters to springs,
Time marched on, yet the oak didn’t swing.
The king ruled strong, with wisdom as his might,
As each son aged, in the king’s own light.
Talented were the sons, each one refined,
With knowledge and skill, their hearts aligned.
Through seasons they journeyed, with grace they grew,
In the kingdom’s embrace, their destinies drew.

As king grew old, his strength dwindled,
Laid on his bed, his eye twinkled.
Twisting in his bed, the king’s thoughts soared,
Who among his sons would the masses adore?

The time had come to pass the baton,
To choose the one who’d rule his kingdom.
Who among his sons, who’d rise above?
To lead with wisdom, courage, and love.

King devised a test, a challenge to see,
Who among his sons could lead with glee?
The old king divided his empire, with a plan,
Two-fifths for himself, the rest of his clan.
Whichever son could double his part,
Would keep the profits, the property and the old man’s heart.

The first son, bubbling of confidence,
Boasted of plans without cadence.
He relaxed, took it as his right,
Failed to focus and lost the fight.

The second son, timid and shy,
Feared of plans going awry.
He listened to advice, but couldn’t decide,
And thus, his empire, eventually subside.

The third son, quiet and reserved,
Listened to all, and never swerved.
He asked questions, gave clear direction,
And with secrecy and hard work, gained the perfection.

The youngest son doubled his empire, in five years given,
And thus, the old man’s successor was chosen.
The quiet one, had won the race,
And inherited the empire, with grace.
His deformities were but a thing of past,
In leadership, he proved himself, at last.

So, my friends, be the third son,
Be invisible, by being silent,
Face each adversary, be resilient.
Work for self, work on self,
Keep a trusted circle for truthful help.
Life is a journey with pegged milestones,
Achieve each with fortitude, make a stronghold.
But remember amidst the hustle and the grind,
To savour the moments, the joys, be kind.
For success is not only about the climb,
But also, the journey, the lessons, the values enroute we find.
Be kind, be humble, be true to your heart,
And success in life will be, but a small part.

What I want to convey from the poem.

Situational dynamics dictate our behavior, as we respond differently to different circumstances. Our minds, complex yet trainable, hold the key to shaping our reactions to internal and external pressures. Only with a calm mind and disciplined body can we maintain control over situations, ensuring, our decisions are guided by reason rather than emotion.

Reflection is paramount. Life’s challenges, akin to tests, must be faced with determination and confidence. Regardless of the outcomes, these trials serve as markers of our potential and capabilities. It is through such tests that we truly understand ourselves, paving the way for personal growth.

Resilience is the cornerstone of success. As the saying goes, “winners are 80% practice, 10% talent, and 10% luck.” To triumph, one must embody resilience—persisting tirelessly until goals are achieved. Despite the adversity, resilience enables us to overcome any obstacle, propelled by unwavering self-belief.

Effective decision-making follows after one has achieved calmness of mind, self-realisation through reflection, and resilience. With strategic planning, meticulous execution, and adaptability, we navigate challenges and accelerate towards success. The third son embodies these qualities, unfettered by familial or societal expectations, focusing on self-discovery and growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I urge all my readers to introspect and cultivate self-awareness—which is a crucial element of personal development. By mastering our responses to diverse/ difficult situations, planning diligently, embracing resilience, and making informed decisions, we pave the way for a fulfilling journey of growth and achievement.