A Talesmith Short by Rajesh Muthuraj
Have you ever noticed a fuel tanker on the road?
That mighty vehicle thundering down the highway, carrying thousands of litres of petrol to fill up every car, bike, and generator it meets along the way.
It looks so powerful, doesn’t it? The symbol of energy and supply. The one that keeps the world moving.
But here’s the interesting part, the tanker itself needs petrol to run.
It carries what everyone else needs, yet it can’t move without its own share of the same.
That’s irony.
And that’s also life.
Many of us are like that tanker. We carry energy, encouragement, and motivation for others.
We’re the ones who say, “Don’t give up!” even when our own fuel gauge is blinking.
We’re the ones cheering others, guiding friends, and keeping families running.
But once in a while, we stall quietly on the side of the road, empty.
Not because we stopped caring.
Not because we lost our strength.
But because we’ve been driving too far without refueling ourselves.
Encouraging others is beautiful.
But it’s also a form of energy, and energy runs out if it isn’t replenished.
So just like that tanker, you too need to pause, refill, and recharge.
Find your own petrol stations. They could be a good friend, a quiet walk, music, solitude, laughter, or a small moment of self-praise.
Because when you’re full, you can give again freely, joyfully, powerfully.
The Lesson:
Think about it:
The tanker carries thousands of litres for others yet needs a small amount for itself.
You can be the motivator, the counsellor, the healer, the therapist, the “You’ve got this!” person, the “Don’t worry, I believe in you!” celebrity of your family, but even you need someone to pat your back and say,
“Boss, you’re doing amazing. Keep going.”
Even cheerleaders need cheering.
Even supporters need support.
Even strong people need someone stronger—for at least five minutes.
And let’s be honest:
It’s very hard to inspire others when your own brain is shouting,
“Low fuel! Low fuel! Please refill!”
So, find your petrol stations:
the friend who boosts you,
the hobby that recharges you,
the chai that resets your soul,
the silence that restores sanity,
the nap that turns you from ‘useless potato’ to ‘functional human.’
Because when your tank is full, your encouragement becomes powerful.
But when you’re empty…
let’s just say both you and the tanker are going absolutely nowhere.
And if you need a gentle spark, Talesmith.in has plenty of stories waiting for you.
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