Dear Richard,
When people belong to a group, sometimes, one will need to make some compromise, i.e. to give up one's local benefits or interests for an exchange of global benefits for the group. On the contrary, if people insist on their own benefits and ignore others, it could become a 'Lose-Lose' situation. Not only the group could be destroyed but also the individual interests might not be guaranteed.
One beautiful summer day, along the seashore, a giant clam opened its pair of shells enjoying the sunbath. Around the same time, a hungry snipe was flying around and looking for food. When the snipe saw the clam, without any hesitation, its long bill rushed towards and attacked the clam. The clam wasn't stupid and quickly shut off its shell. Within a second or two, the long bill of the snipe got stuck in between the closed shells of the clam.
Both the clam and the snipe used all their energy to struggle. However, the clam closed off its shell very tight while the snipe kept its bill very tight as well. Both of them could not gain any advantages in the struggling, and they started arguing.
The clam said, 'If you don't relax your bill and release me, you will not be able to fly and hunt again. After several days, there will be a dead snipe.' The snipe replied, 'If you don't relax your shells and release me, you will not be able to go back to the water. Within a few days, there will be a dried clam.' Both the clam and the snipe didn't compromise and didn't want to be the first one to release the other.
After a while, a fisherman came by. He was very happy to see that the clam and the snipe got locked up each other. Without any effort, he took them home for a big feast.
With love, Dad