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How to Keep Impatience from Robbing You of the Gift of Singleness

In the Book of Virtues, William J. Bennett tells a story called "THE MAGIC THREAD" (French tale).
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One day while wandering in the forest, Peter meets a strange old woman who gives him a most tantalizing opportunity - the chance to skip the dull, mundane moments of life. She hands Peter a silver ball from which a tiny gold thread protrudes. "This is your life thread, do not touch it & time will pass normally, But if you wish time to pass more quickly, you have only to pull the thread a little way and an hour will pass like a sec. But I warn you, once the thread has been pulled out, it cannot be pushed back in again."

This magical thread seems the answer to all of Peter's problems. It is just what he has always wanted. He takes the ball and runs home.

The following day in school Peter has his 1st opportunity to put the silver ball to use. The lesson is dragging, and teacher scolds Peter for not concentrating. Peter fingers the silver ball & gives it a slight tug. Suddenly the teacher dismisses the class, he is free to go home. He is overjoyed! How easy his life will be from now on. Peter begins to pull the thread a little everyday.

Soon he begins to rush through larger portions of life using this magic thread such as his school days, apprenticed in a trade, then his engagement to his sweetheart, his wedding day..when hard times comes, he escapes them with his magic thread. When baby cries at nite, when he faces financial struggles, when he wishes his children to launched in the career of their own, Peter pulls the magic thread to pass by the discomfort of the moment.

But sadly, when he comes to the end of his life, Peter realised the emptiness of such an existence. By allowing impatience & discontentment rule him, Peter has robbed himself of life's richest moments and memories. With only grave to look towards to, he deeply regrets ever having the use of the magic thread.
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In introducing this story, Mr. Bennett insightfully comments, " too often, people want what they want (or what they think they want, which is usually "happiness" in one form or another) right now.The irony of their impatience is that only by learning to wait, and by a willingness to accept the bad with the good, do we usually attain those things that are truly worthwhile."