Talk of PN's death, Labour victory premature

The Labour Party made such a song and dance about the MEP victory that they considered it as if they won the general election and they are going to govern for the next four years. It is still very early for the PL to start celebrating because the PN will emerge from this humiliating defeat better prepared to face the electorate at the next general election. The MEP election served as a barometer and Lawrence Gonzi once again will lead the PN to victory at the next general election. The race between the two parties has started - the PL ahead from the starting line but the PN started the race with a handicap due to the global financial crisis. The finishing line, however, is in four years time.

The PL victory reminds me of an anthology of a story related by the Indian philosopher Sri Shantanand Sarasvati to a question put to him by one of his pupils which goes like this, and I quote:

There is a story about a flock of crows. One of them was strong, clever and good looking, so they made him their leader. This king of the crows felt proud of his exploits and look down upon other creatures. One day a young swan appeared. The crows assembled around the swan and asked him if he knew about the great deeds of their king. He pleaded ignorance and wished to see their king. The king crow appeared and asked the sawn about the different types of flight. The swan, in his simplicity said he knew only one style. The king crow then embarked on an exhibition of his hundred-and-one styles of flight. Having performed his acrobatics, he asked to see the art of the swan. The young swan took off in a graceful, gentle and natural flight and, as usual, increased his speed only gradually. Since the crow was small and swift he flew fast, and realising that the swan was left behind. He came back to cheer him up. The swan gradually increased his speed, and it was not very long before the crow was tired and trembled, and eventually fell into the sea. The swan came down and rescued the crow and helped him back to his flock. The crow then became ashamed of his pride, and thanked the swan for his modesty and magnanimity. You see, the swan lived a natural life while the crow occupied himself in acrobatics and cleverness.

The ultimate victory goes to the natural, steady, still and simple man; while the clever and smart waste their energy in trifling pursuits which only lead to their destruction. Unquote

Four years is a long time and the PN will once again emerge victorious with Dr Gonzi the leader.