The Secret of Life

A father used to tell his kids when they were little:

“When each of you turns twelve, I’ll share the secret of life.”

One day, when the oldest finally turned twelve, he nervously asked his dad, “So what’s the secret?”

His father leaned in and said, “I’ll tell you, but you can’t share it with your brothers yet. Ready? Here it is: Cows don’t give milk.”

“What do you mean?” the boy asked, confused.

“You heard me. A cow doesn’t just give you milk—you have to earn it. You have to get up at 4 a.m., walk through the barnyard, step in manure, tie the cow’s tail, secure her legs, sit on the stool, put the bucket underneath… and do the work yourself. That’s the secret: cows don’t give milk. You either milk her—or you go without.”

The father paused and continued:

“See, there’s a whole generation that thinks cows give milk. That things just come to them automatically, for free. Their mindset is, I want, I ask, I get. They’re used to getting whatever they want the easy way. But that’s not how life works. Life isn’t about wishing, asking, and receiving. It’s about effort. What you get in life comes directly from the work you put in. Happiness is the result of effort. And when you skip the effort, all you’re left with is disappointment.”

So he told his kids:

“Remember this secret from a young age, so you don’t grow up thinking the government, your parents, or your smile is going to hand you everything you need. Life doesn’t work that way.

✅ Never forget: cows don’t give milk. To get it—you’ve got to do the work.”