This story is inspired by the life of Charles Blondin, the most famous tightrope walker of the 19th century. He made a name for himself by frequently crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope in various ways: blindfolded, wearing stilts, pushing a wheelbarrow, and even by carrying a man on his back.
The following parable circulated in the years after Blondin’s success. Whether it is a factual story or not is hard to say, but the message about faith is so powerful that I had to share it.
The Wheelbarrow on a Tightrope
A large crowd of people gathered along the edge of Niagara Falls to watch a famous tightrope walker balance his way across to the other side. With his pole in hand the man made it to the other side and back with ease.
When he returned, he had another feat to display. He showed the crowd a wheelbarrow filled with bricks and said, “Do you believe I can make it across while pushing this wheelbarrow?”
The crowd cheered in excitement. “Yes, Yes!” they shouted.
Then the tightrope walker pointed to one man in the crowd. “You sir, do you believe I can push this wheelbarrow carrying 175 pounds of bricks across the falls?”
The man was a bit embarrassed at first then said, “Sure, I think you can do it.”
“No sir, I did not ask if you think I can do it. I asked if you believe I can do it. Do you believe I can do it?” he asked.
“Sure, I believe you can do it,” the man said.
“And how much do you weigh?” asked the tightrope walker.
Confused at first, the man replied, “About 175 pounds.”
The tightrope walker tipped over the wheelbarrow and dumped the bricks on the ground.
“Then get in the wheelbarrow.”
The Meaning of the Wheelbarrow and the Tightrope Parable
Do you believe I can make it across while pushing this wheelbarrow?
Sure, I believe you can do it.
Then get in the wheelbarrow.
It is easy for us to say we believe. It is easy for us to say we have faith. But it is never easy to act upon what we believe. Faith requires sacrifice and action. We cannot simple “talk the talk” as the phrase goes, we must also “walk the walk.”
Questions about the Parable of the Wheelbarrow and the Tightrope
- What is the difference between thinking we can and believing we can?
- Would you have enough confidence in the tightrope walker to get in the wheelbarrow? Why or why not?
- Imagine if God was the tightrope walker. Would you get into his wheelbarrow? Why or why not?
- Who do you trust the most in your life? What makes them trustworthy?
