The warrior and the child

Couple of my friends asked me, "Why do you invite and let those old guys come play ball with us. They're so bad."

Picture a 13 year old, on the verge of manhood but still a boy. Unsure. Insecure. Trying to find his way. Every week he tries to join the hunters and warriors of his tribe on their expeditions. Each time he is turned away.

"Go away kid. You can't keep up and you make too much noise."

"You can't even shoot an arrow."

Only one warrior takes the time to show him how to use a bow. How to track. How to signal to other hunters. How to stalk silently on the forest floor.

Eventually, when the boy tries to join the hunt and is being turned away the warrior speaks up.

"He is ready."

And the boy becomes accepted as a man.

15 years later he is the top warrior and chief of his tribe.

The warrior who taught him is now an old man. He can no longer hunt but always gets his share of meat and a place by the fire. No one asks the chief why it is so.