Candowl Series: Who is a leader?

“Why do you always call me young leader, Grandpops?” ask the Pantomath Owlet.

He loved the fact that all his cousin owlets had gone out to an owl party in the Owlstate. Despite the opportunity to see Hermosa, he turned down the invitation. He wanted to spend time with his Grandpops without his nosey cousin Owlets.

“Well, Pantomath you are young but I see leadership potential in you.” Grandpops laughed softly.

Pantomath turned his beck nearly all the way round to get a better view of Grandpops.

“But, I’m the youngest of all the Owlets. How can I be a leader?” He lifted one wing in an owl shrug.  Grandpops say so many wise sounding things but he did not understand this one at all. “No-one listens to me. They make me do things. They all take their food before I do. In fact they always leave a tiny portion for me!”

Grandpops chuckled. He slowed his pace as they approached the log of dried wood. He lifted his wings and sat down. Time for another life lesson it seemed.

“You see, my dear Pantomath, a leader is not necessarily someone older than you,” his eyes twinkled. “A leader is anyone who can influence someone else.”

Influence someone else. Is that it? “How, Grandpops?”

“Very good question, munchkins. When people do what you want them to do; say what you want them to say or even think how you want them to think.”

“You mean if I get someone to do what I do, say what I say or think how I want, then I become his leader?” Pantomath twisted his head right and left. “But I’m just a little owlet. How can people do what I do, say what I say or think how I want?” Pantomath bobbed his head in bafflement.

“I will teach you how,” said Grandpops with a wink.