The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "..before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."

1. You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand.

2. You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.

3. You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

4. The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

5. On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.
We all need to constantly be sharpened and this parable should encourage us to know that we are special, with unique God given talents and abilities and that only we can fulfill the purpose which we were born to accomplish. Never allow ourselves to get discouraged and think that our life is insignificant and cannot be changed.