In this chapter we revisit the ancient Greek fable of the fox and the crow, to show how the proactive thinking of the fox outwits the reactive thinking of the crow. In later chapters, we will see how reactive and proactive thinking can be combined.

The fox and the crow are a metaphor for different kinds of people. Some people are proactive, like the fox in the story. They like to plan ahead, foresee obstacles, and lead an orderly life. Other people are reactive, like the crow. They like to be open to what is happening around them, take advantage of new opportunities, and be spontaneous. Most people are both proactive and reactive, at different times and to varying degrees.