A man was driving to an important meeting when he realized he had taken a wrong turn.
He looked at the clock and sighed.
“I’m already thirty minutes late.”
A few moments later, he spotted a man walking along the roadside and pulled over.
“Excuse me,” he said politely. “Could you tell me how to get to Maple Street? I have an important meeting.”
The passerby smiled.
“Of course. Keep driving straight for about a mile, turn left at the traffic lights, then take the second right. You’ll see it just ahead.”
The driver thanked him and started the car.
Just before leaving, he rolled down the window again.
“Do you think I’ll make it on time?”
The passerby laughed.
“I can’t promise that.”
“But I can promise you’ll get there much faster than if you keep driving in the wrong direction.”
The driver smiled.
“That’s true.”
He followed the directions and arrived at his meeting a little late.
When he apologized, the people waiting simply smiled.
“We’re just glad you made it safely.”
The driver realized that being a few minutes late was far better than rushing without knowing where he was going.
Sometimes, stopping to ask for directions is the fastest way to move forward.
