They
soon found the man a position as an instructor in bicycle
riding. As he had never been on a bicycle in his life,
he made an admirable teacher. He stood fast on the ground
and said, "Now then, all you need is confidence."
Then one day he got afraid that he might be found out.
So he went out to a quiet place and got on a bicycle, at
the top of a slope, to learn to ride it. The bicycle ran
away with him. But for the skill and daring of one of
his pupils, who saw him and rode after him, he would have
been killed.
This story, as the reader sees, is endless. Suffice it
to say that the man I speak of is now in an aviation
school teaching people to fly. They say he is one of the
best aviators that ever walked.
According to all the legends and story books, the principal
factor in success is perseverance. Personally, I think
there is nothing in it. If anything, the truth lies the
other way.
There is an old motto that runs, "If at first you don't
succeed, try, try again." This is nonsense. It ought to
read, "If at first you don't succeed, quit, quit, at
once."
If you can't do a thing, more or less, the first time
you try, you will never do it. Try something else while
there is yet time.
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