Greatness is forged through surrender to guidance, the endurance of trials, and the unwavering commitment to leave our mark upon the world.
The pencil-maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.
“There are 5 things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.”
“One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.”
“Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.”
“Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.”
“Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.”
“And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must make a mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.”
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Notes:
Popularisation by Paulo Coelho: While elements of this allegory circulated in various motivational writings throughout the 20th century, the story gained global fame when the renowned Brazilian author Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist) included it in his 1999 novel Veronika Decides to Die. In the novel, the character Igor shares the five rules of the pencil as a metaphor for destiny, surrender and human resilience.
The metaphor of the instrument: The philosophical concept of viewing oneself as an instrument rather than the author of one’s destiny spans multiple spiritual lineages—from ancient scribal traditions and Zen brushwork to Sufi poetry. By shifting focus from ego to purpose, the pencil metaphor teaches that true fulfillment comes from allowing oneself to be guided and put to good use.
Good to know
Nuremberg, Germany, was the birthplace of the first mass-produced pencils in 1662. Spurred by Faber-Castell (established in 1761), Lyra, Steadtler and other companies, an active pencil industry developed throughout the 19th century industrial revolution. For more interesting details on pencils, visit https://pencils.com/