The chapter 'Try Again' is based on an inspiring narrative poem by Eliza Cook about King Bruce of Scotland. After failing repeatedly to perform a noble deed for his people, the king was heartbroken and felt completely defeated. Sitting alone in deep sorrow, he believed that nothing more could be done and decided to give up on his mission entirely.
While lost in these sad thoughts, the king noticed a small spider hanging from a delicate thread. The spider was trying to climb up to reach its cobweb home near the high ceiling. It climbed upward with great courage, but slipped and fell toward the ground. King Bruce watched closely as the spider made nine brave attempts to climb back up. Every single time, the delicate thread proved difficult, and the tiny creature tumbled down, feeling dizzy and tired. However, it never gave up or complained.
Gathering its strength once more, the spider began another attempt. It moved steadily, inch by inch, without losing hope. With one final bold run, it successfully reached its web. King Bruce was amazed by the spider's courage and dedication. He realized that if a small creature could defy despair and conquer such a hard challenge, he too had the duty to stay strong.
Filled with renewed spirit, King Bruce braced his mind and decided to try one more time. Guided by the spider's example, he made another effort and finally achieved victory. The central message of this chapter is that failure is merely a stepping stone toward success. It teaches students that obstacles can always be overcome through patience, determination, and continuous effort. When faced with difficult moments in life, one must never lose heart, but instead keep trying until success is achieved.