Story of a Strayed Horse

Milton Erickson — the author of Ericksonian Hypnosis — once told this story:

"I was returning from high school one day and a runaway horse with a bridle sped past a group of us into a farmer's yard, looking for a drink of water. The farmer didn't recognize it so I jumped up to the horse's back, took hold of the reins and said "Giddy-up" and headed for the highway. I knew the horse would take me to the right direction; I didn't know what the right direction was.

And the horse trotted and galloped along. Now and then he would forget he was on an highway and would start off into a field. So I would pull on him a bit and call his attention to the fact that the highway was where he was supposed to be.

And finally about four miles from where I had boarded him he turned into a farmyard and the farmer said, "So that's how the critter came back. Where did you find him?" I said, "about four miles from here." "How did you know he should come here?" I said, "I didn't know— the horse knew. All I did was keep his attention on the road."

Moral of the Story

This story illustrate the idea of the client-centered approach that the Mentor uses in working with its protégé — That is, the client knows his/her destination or goal; also knows the direction to take and the way to it (has the expertise and resources).

What the Mentor does is help the client make choices and decisions, and keep the client's attention on the "road."

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