The Traveler's Lesson

I'm Following You

Photo David A. Hamilton ©2007

Autobiography in Five Chapters

by Portia Nelson

Chapter One:

I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in. I'm lost. I'm helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two:

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I'm in the same place, but it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three:

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there. I fall in. It's a habit. But my eyes are open. I know where I am...I get out immediately.

Chapter Four:

I walk down the same street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter Five:

I try walking down a different street.