Back in 2017, while teaching at a private school, I experienced an unforgettable moment that continues to shape my perspective on resilience and adaptation. The school had a tradition of inviting motivational speakers every Sunday to inspire students.
One Sunday, we hosted Njoki Chege, a well-known journalist whose City Girl column had earned her a reputation for being sharp, fearless, and thought-provoking. That day, she chose to speak about “The Smallest Four Creatures,” a departure from the usual admiration for Africa’s “Big Five.” Her message was unexpected yet profoundly impactful, a reminder that size does not determine strength, and even the tiniest beings in the natural world carry lessons that human beings can apply to life.
She began by talking about the tardigrade, a microscopic creature known for its near-indestructibility. The tardigrade can survive in extreme heat and cold, endure radiation levels that would kill most organisms, and even withstand the vacuum of space. When conditions become unbearable, it enters a cryptobiotic state, shutting down its metabolism completely, only to revive when circumstances improve. It can remain in this suspended state for years, waiting for the right moment to spring back to life.
From this tiny organism, we learn the power of resilience. Life is unpredictable, filled with hardships that can feel insurmountable. But like the tardigrade, those who endure with patience and adaptability will survive even the toughest seasons. There are times when we must retreat, conserve our energy, and wait for the storm to pass. It is not weakness but strategy. And when the moment is right, we rise again, stronger than before.
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Then she spoke of the bumblebee bat, the smallest bat in the world. Weighing less than a penny and no bigger than a human thumb, this bat is an expert hunter, using echolocation to navigate and catch prey with remarkable precision. It moves with confidence and efficiency despite its size. The lesson here is that greatness is not determined by physical stature but by skill and intelligence.
Many people believe they are too small to make a difference, too insignificant to chase after big dreams. But the bumblebee bat teaches us that success is not about being the biggest or the loudest; it is about mastering the abilities we possess and using them to carve out a place in the world. Even when we feel like we don’t measure up to others, we must remember that our strength lies in our unique talents and determination.
Njoki then turned our attention to the Paedocypris fish, a tiny species that thrives in highly acidic swamps and peat bogs where most other fish would perish. Its survival in such an extreme environment is a result of remarkable adaptation. It does not resist its circumstances; instead, it adjusts to them. This, Njoki emphasized, is the secret to thriving in a constantly changing world.
Many people spend their lives fighting against situations they cannot change, resisting challenges instead of learning how to navigate them. The Paedocypris fish reminds us that survival often depends on our ability to adapt. Change is inevitable, and those who embrace it instead of fearing it will always find ways to succeed where others fail. Rather than seeing obstacles as barriers, we should view them as opportunities to grow stronger, to develop new skills, and to find new paths forward.
They remind us that survival and success are not about brute force but about resilience, intelligence, and the ability to adapt.
Finally, she introduced us to the pygmy seahorse, a master of camouflage. This tiny creature blends so perfectly with its coral habitat that it becomes nearly invisible to predators. Its ability to adapt to its surroundings keeps it safe. From the pygmy seahorse, we learn the importance of timing and strategy. In life, there are moments to stand out and moments to blend in.
There are times when bold action is required, and there are times when observation and patience are the best approach. Whether in social settings, business ventures, or personal goals, knowing when to move and when to wait can make the difference between failure and success. The world does not always reward reckless visibility; sometimes, the wisest move is to assess the landscape, prepare carefully, and strike when the moment is right.
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As Njoki concluded her talk, the room was silent, every student lost in thought. She had shifted their perspective, as she had mine. The focus was no longer on the mighty and the grand but on the small and the overlooked. These tiny creatures, often dismissed or unnoticed, held lessons more profound than we had imagined. Strength is not about size but about resilience, intelligence, adaptation, and strategy.
That speech stayed with me, and over the years, I have found myself returning to those lessons time and time again. Whenever life presents challenges that seem overwhelming, I think of the tardigrade and its ability to endure. When I feel small or inadequate, I remember the bumblebee bat and its quiet mastery. When faced with difficult circumstances beyond my control, I channel the adaptability of the Paedocypris fish. And when decisions require patience and careful planning, I draw from the wisdom of the pygmy seahorse.
Nature has always been a teacher, but sometimes it’s most powerful lessons come from the smallest creatures. They remind us that survival and success are not about brute force but about resilience, intelligence, and the ability to adapt. They challenge us to rethink what it means to be strong and to recognise that even in our smallest moments, we hold the potential for greatness.
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