In life, we often make the mistake of judging the 'whole' based on a 'part.'
We criticize the people of a specific region based on a single rude driver, or condemn an entire company based on one unfriendly employee.
In a certain village, there was a chicken farm owner who viewed missionaries with suspicion from the start.
He believed that spreading gossip about missionaries whenever he had the chance, saying, "They all talk big, but they're all the same inside," was a form of justice.
Then one day, two missionaries visited his farm and politely requested to buy a chicken.
Although he was inwardly displeased, the owner could not turn away guests, so he retorted curtly. "There are plenty of chickens over there, so pick one you like."
The two missionaries spent a long time looking around the farm filled with thousands of healthy chickens. However, when the owner saw the chicken they finally picked up, his eyes widened in surprise.
This was because what they had chosen was the most unsightly rooster, with all its feathers missing, only patches of flesh showing, and even a limp.
The bewildered owner asked. "No, why on earth would you choose a fellow like that? There won't even be anything to eat!"
Then, the missionary replied with a very serious expression.
"I plan to raise this chicken in the front yard of our lodging.
So that everyone passing by can see this ugly chicken and know, 'Ah, that is the chicken from your farm.'
I want to promote your farm."
The owner's heart sank.
"No, what are you talking about! That's not right! We have thousands of plump, healthy chickens on our farm, and that one is the only one that ended up like that because it was fighting.
If people look at just that one chicken and think all the chickens on our farm are like that, isn't that too unfair to me?
At that moment, another missionary standing nearby delivered the final blow with a gentle smile.
"You are right, sir. That is exactly it. It is the same for us.
It is truly unfair to us as well that the mistakes of a few missionaries are regarded as representatives of us all.
We fall into the trap of 'hasty generalization' all too easily.
Just as one sick chicken stands out more than 99 healthy chickens, there are times when a single flaw in another person appears to represent their entire character.
However, this is not the truth, but merely a 'biased perspective' that we have chosen.
The missionaries did not get angry or lecture.
Instead, they used the 'reputation of the chicken farm,' which the owner valued most, to make him realize his own contradictions.
They demonstrated wit by using the other person's methods against them to win logically while maintaining their dignity.
If you view the world only through black-and-white logic, you will only see what you want to see.
Before criticizing someone, you should ask yourself if you are currently only seeing 'a limping chicken.'
"If we do not want others to judge us based on a one-dimensional view, we too must look at others with a broad and deep perspective.
