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Proverb A Day

by Vaman Acharya
(Bengaluru, Karntaka, India)

In schools, offices and banks you will find a board ‘Word a day’ and beneath its meaning. It is for the improvement of vocabulary. How many people look at the notice board?


Little girl Harshita was studying in a school, where such board was displayed. She was standing before it like other students.

An idea was flashed to her mind. Can a little girl get innovative ideas? Some times adults fail to get ideas. Children get instant ideas. Her idea was to write ‘Proverb a day’ on the same board just below the ‘Word a day’. She went to the Head Master and expressed her desire. She further requested him to implement it immediately.

The Head Master was busy in some urgent work. Harshita was repeatedly asking the same question. The Head Master without loosing his temper asked her some simple questions.

“Do you know the meaning of a proverb?”

“Yes sir. Proverb is a short familiar sentence containing a moral lesson.”

“Why do you want to add ‘proverb a day’ on the same board?”

“Sir, improvement of vocabulary only will not serve the purpose. Along with it, expression of new ideas is essential.”

“Can you tell me four famous proverbs?”

She replied immediately-

"1. All is well that ends well.

2. Practice makes man perfect.

3. Slow and steady wins the race.

4. Honesty is the best policy.”

The Head Master was very much impressed for her knowledge. He called the concerned teacher, who write ‘Word a day’ on the board and instructed him to add ‘Proverb a day’ with simple meaning.

Harshita’s parents were happy to know this development in her school. Mom and dad encouraged her to ask for a new proverb daily. The practice of studying ‘Proverb a day’ had almost become a routine for her.

One day she asked her parents, ‘Empty vessels make more noise.’

“Knowledgeable persons prefer to speak less and act more; whereas foolish persons talk more and act less. Similarly, if a poor man acquires wealth by luck try to boast his status and impress people; unlike the truly rich man never indulges in boasting or exhibiting status. Politicians talk more by giving promises and never act on fulfillment of the promise," said her Dad.

Then it was the turn of her Mom to explain. She wanted to narrate a story.

“Raghu and Suresh were classmates in the High School. Raghu’s father was a College Professor. Suresh’s father was a business man. Raghu was intelligent in studies. He had acquired good knowledge in the cricket. Suresh was average in studies. His knowledge in cricket was very poor.

Once there was cricket match held in the city. Both friends went to the stadium to watch and enjoy the match. Their seats were side by side. The match was in full swing.

“See the batsman’s performance was not good. He could have gone for square cut or an off drive and dispatched the ball for four and wasted a ball,” commented Suresh.

Raghu just smiled and did not reply. He said to himself that people, who have not played for their school team and never played the cricket, comment unnecessarily. Raghu was fully aware of the excellent performance shown by the batsman. He appreciated the batsman for leaving that ball as it was swinging away and offering a shot to such good ball would have been risky.

Here the maxim “Empty vessels make more noise” applies to Suresh, who doesn’t know the basics of cricket but make judgments, that makes the loud sound.”

Harshita was happy and complimented her Dad and Mom.

"When a teacher is dealing with the noisy students in the class and trying to get them quiet, and if they continue the noise, the proverb rightly applies to them," said Harshita with a smile.

End





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