The Tale of the Proud Scholar and the Humble Boatman
A Scholar's Arrogance
Once upon a time, there lived a learned scholar in a village. He had acquired knowledge in various subjects and took immense pride in it. His arrogance led him to boast about his wisdom everywhere, often belittling those who were less knowledgeable than him.
The Scholar's Journey Across the River
One day, the scholar needed to travel to another village for personal reasons. To cross a river on his way, he hired a boat. He comfortably settled into the boat, while the boatman, a simple man, began to row. Overcome by his pride, the scholar asked the boatman, 'How much education have you received?' The boatman replied, 'Just a little, Panditji. I didn’t feel the need for more as I got busy with work.'
The scholar frowned at this response and, in his arrogance, asked, 'Do you know grammar?' The boatman shook his head. The scholar scoffed, 'You haven’t even studied grammar? You’ve wasted half your life!' He continued, 'Surely you must know geography and history?' Again, the boatman replied negatively. The scholar, looking down on him, exclaimed, 'Then your entire life has been in vain! Look at me; I have made the best use of my life by acquiring so much knowledge.'
Facing the Storm
The boatman remained silent, bowing his head. Soon, a strong wind began to blow, and the river's waves grew turbulent. The boat started to rock dangerously. The boatman asked, 'Panditji, you can swim, right?' The scholar, trembling, admitted, 'No, I cannot.' The boatman chuckled, 'Well, now you’ll need your grammar, history, and geography to save you, because this boat is about to sink!'
Hearing this, the scholar's fear escalated. Fortunately, the boatman was skilled and managed to steer the boat to safety despite the storm. Once ashore, the scholar realized his mistake. He understood that knowledge, whether vast or limited, is valuable, whether it pertains to history, geography, or practical skills like swimming and boating.
Moral of the Story
We should never belittle others based on their status or knowledge. Additionally, we must avoid being arrogant about our own knowledge. Every individual possesses some talent or unique knowledge, and everyone also has their shortcomings. Therefore, we should view everyone with equal respect.