Life's path holds many dangers. Is it wiser to avoid these pitfalls or to face them head on? Many successes can be traced back to a risk filled decision but the experienced head will side-step calamity and use his energies more productively.

My wife, Marianne recounted an experience she had when eight years old. World War II had devastated much of Munich and concerned relatives had arranged for Marianne and her brother to stay with an Aunt just outside a small town in Bavaria. The local village lay only a mile distant from the farmhouse and was the only source of fresh-baked bread. Marianne's morning chore was to walk to the village for a dozen fresh rolls and a loaf of black bread.

As she approached a farmhouse on her left, an oversized rooster bulleted out of the barn, intent on doing harm to Marianne. A raucous sound bellowed from his wide stretched beak, wings spread low and feet pumping on a line for Marianne's throat. Normally an animal loving child, Marianne was now frightened to pass the rooster's territory for fear of getting her eyes pecked out. A frantic run soon had her out of breath but safely past.

The next farmhouse on her right seemed at first serenely quiet. A few cows munched in the distance and a hen house produced only contented clucks. Suddenly, the largest gander Marianne had ever seen came barreling around the barn. Mean of eye and honking angrily, this goose must have weighed as much as Marianne. Thinking that it was a good thing that the gander was locked safely in the yard, she belatedly noticed that the gate was half way open, presenting a clear path for the raging bird. Now, Marianne wasn't a scardy-cat by any means, but this mad gander on a rampage scared her enough to get her running again. Thinking herself safe, she turned to check on the gander's progress, only to be bitten painfully on her ankle by the maddened beast. A renewed effort to get away took her far down the lane to safety.

But fate was not through with Marianne this day. The last house on the lane housed the meanest looking dog Marianne had ever encountered. It stood in the middle of the road at an angle, head averted but the eyes evilly bent toward Marianne. Slowly its mouth opened, lips peeled back to reveal a full set of canines. She stopped in her tracks, afraid to move. A step taken to the right was immediately matched by the mongrel dog which now started growling. The stiffening bristles on its back would do a porcupine proud. Saliva flew as the animal started to bark while stalking ever closer. Marianne kept her hands out in front of her as she slowly backed to the right. Not wanting to test whether its bark was worse than its bite, she sidled past, shaking in fear, gladly giving up all rights to his property.

Leaving the bakery with her rolls, Marianne decided to take the long way back to her Aunt's farmhouse. Asked if she went to China for the baked goods, Marianne, in a breathless voice told of her near disasters and her decision to take the long, safe way back home.