Psychological Resilience: The Legend of a King and a Spider!

The story of Robert the Bruce and the spider is one of the most enduring legends in Scottish history. It tells of a moment when Bruce, a key figure in Scotland’s fight for independence, found himself discouraged and ready to give up. Watching a spider persistently try to spin its web despite repeated failures inspired him to continue his mission.

I remember vividly being drawn to, and moved by this story as a child; I pictured an exhausted Bruce, head bowed in a dank, cold cave, sheltering from the ferocity of a literal and metaphorical storm.

The simplicity of this story is what makes it so powerful, as it effortlessly brings to the fore the timeless and universal values of perseverance, resilience, and hope.

Robert the Bruce, King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329.

The Story Behind the Legend

Robert the Bruce was a Scottish nobleman who became King during a tumultuous time. After suffering several defeats against the far larger and better equipped English army, he retreated to a cave to regroup. Feeling lost, he observed a spider attempting to build its web. The spider failed multiple times but never gave up. Eventually, it succeeded, and this reality renewed Bruce’s determination to continue his quest for Scotland’s freedom.

Though historians debate the exact truth of this story, its message has inspired generations far and wide. In essence, it highlights how, in the face of repeated failure, small acts of persistence can lead to eventual success.

What the Legend Teaches Us About Perseverance

Most people encounter setbacks in their personal or professional lives, either as one off events, or as a number of reversals that take place over time.. The legend reminds us that failure is almost always an integral part of any journey that ends in success, however we might define it.

There are four key elements to the story that are instructive:

• Persistence leads to progress: consistent effort eventually pays off.

• Failure is a learning opportunity: each failed attempt highlights what does not work, helping improve future efforts.

• Small steps matter: success rarely happens overnight, therefore incremental progress builds a strong foundation.

• Do not focus on the end result: the spider was focused on doing what it had to do, with the end result a culmination of the satisfactory completion of those specific and sequential tasks.

The Holocaust Survivor and Psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, put it best when he wrote: 'Don't aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself'.

The spider's struggle is a metaphor for Bruce's task - the complete dedication to the specific cause of Scottish emancipation, and to the general betterment of the Scots as a whole. Frankl's maxim underpins that motif.

Consider also Ernest Hemingway's insightful quote from The Old Man and the Sea: 'A man can be destroyed but not defeated'. And so, while life's hardships can physically break or temporarily ruin a person (destruction), the human spirit remains unbroken (not defeated). It is a very powerful statement about perseverance, resilience, and the idea that true defeat is always a matter of mindset, not circumstance.

Bruce’s story is an exemplar that encourages us to keep trying, even when, or especially when, we are struggling and cannot see an end in sight.

Resilience in the Face of Challenges

Resilience means seeing our challenges through a particular lens, that is the lens of meaning. The spider’s determination to rebuild its web after each collapse symbolises resilience. Robert the Bruce’s ability to recover from, and find meaning in significant setbacks, reflects this quality.

Frankl, quoting Nietzsche, would add another dimension to the Bruce/Spider metaphor, namely, 'Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.' Thus, having a strong sense of purpose or meaning (the 'why') empowers individuals to endure immense and sustained suffering and hardship (the 'how').

Specifically, in life, resilience helps us to:

• Adapt to change: adjust our plans or strategies in a meaningful way.

• Maintain focus: remaining committed to values despite obstacles.

• Build inner strength: overcoming adversity makes us stronger and boosts self-confidence.

The legend shows that resilience is most definitely not about avoiding failure, rather it is about responding to it with courage and determination.

Finding Hope in Unexpected Places

The spider’s persistence gave Bruce hope at a time when he felt dejected and hopeless. This encourages us to look for inspiration in unlikely places; in fact, hope can be present in the midst of great suffering, such as the predicament Bruce found himself in.

Again, Frankl is instructive in this respect: “When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task; his single and unique task. He will have to acknowledge the fact that even in suffering he is unique and alone in the universe. No one can relieve him of his suffering or suffer in his place. His unique opportunity lies in the way in which he bears his burden.”

Bruce's burden was certainly a unique one - not only did he have his own destiny to navigate, he also had the weight of a nation resting on his shoulders. The manner in which he bore that burden was a reflection of his character and personality, where hope was expressed in repeated action and intention.

The Bruce/Spider legend prompts us to explore these existential issues further. Back to Frankl once again, 'Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfilment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone's task is unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it.'

Bruce's vocation was clear, crystalising in the light of the simple yet persistent spider's behaviour.

Applying the Legend’s Lessons Today

The story is so much more than a historical anecdote. It offers practical advice for everyday life. For example:

• When facing professional setbacks, remember the spider’s persistence.

• Use failures as opportunities to learn, refocus, and improve.

• Cultivate resilience by applying your values and adapting your approach when required.

• Seek inspiration and meaning from small, everyday moments to renew your motivation.

  
  

In business, it is true that entrepreneurs often face repeated failures before finding success. The legend encourages them to persevere, learning from each and every mistake they make. We might also consider students struggling with difficult subjects, where they feel lost and out of their depth; they can draw strength in the spider’s determination and Robert the Bruce's response to it. Or what about the task of rebuilding a ruptured relationship? Yet again the message of taking one small step at a time is instructive.

And Finally...

Metaphor and legend and the stories thereof can be invaluable in setting the scene for exploration existential questions. The legend we have explored today teaches us that patience, persistence, and resilience are core elements in how we live a meaningful life. It reminds us that failure is not the end, but a step toward achievement, and that defeat is an attitudinal response, not an objective statement of fact. By embracing these lessons, we can face our own challenges with renewed hope and determination.

So next time you feel weary and are on the verge of giving up, think of the spider silently and determinedly spinning its web. Let that image inspire you to keep trying, no matter how many times you fail, or come up against those seemingly insurmountable circumstances of your struggle. Think also of Robert the Bruce and his renewed determination.

Often it is the simplest of stories that have the most meaningful impact and practical implications. That is why this particular legend lives on.

Use it to your advantage.