Once a famous professor went to the riverfront and was looking for a boat to cross the river. He lived on the other side of the river at his university provided accommodation. He saw a boat approach the shore and he quickly moved into it. He asked the boatman to take him home at double speed. The boat started to move away from the shore and the professor sat in a relaxed fashion on his seat. He was looking around at the other boats and suddenly his gaze fell upon the boatman. The boatman wore shabby clothes, his hair were disheveled and he looked poor. The professor thought that this man must be uneducated. He arrogantly asked the boatman, “My Good Man, have you ever been to a school or college? Have you ever studied poetry or literature?”
The boatman innocently replied, “No Sir”. The professor replied, “It seems you have wasted your life till now. Half your life is over. You have wasted half your life.”
The sailor felt deeply insulted but didn’t reply. He carried on rowing the boat and waited for an opportunity to have his revenge.
As they completed half of the way, a storm started brewing. Strong winds started blowing and the boat started shaking in the powerful wind. Huge waves started hitting the boat and it seemed as if the boat will capsize. The boatman realized this was the time for his revenge. He sweetly asked the professor, “ Dear learned sir, do you know how to swim?”
The professor was shaking and his heart was filled with terror. He replied in a squeamish tone, “ No, No, my good man. I am sure you will help me.”
“Oh, too bad. What extraordinarily bad luck.. Now, it seems you will waste the second half of your life. Dear Learned sir, the boat is soon going to capsize and the only way to save yourself is to swim to the shore. Its too bad that your literature and poetry cant help you now. You thought I was an idiot but now the tables have turned. Good Luck!”
The END
The learnings
1. A lot of times we develop arrogance for something which either we have gained through hard work or which is god’s gift to us. Money, knowledge, wealth, fame, a particular skill, beauty, intelligence are some such examples of qualities which can make us arrogant. We start looking at the world through a prism of who is inferior or superior to us. The Professor looks at the untidy, disheveled boatman and assumes him to be an illiterate and foolish man. The professor believes that not reading literature/poetry is a waste of life. Little does he realize that each one of us has a particular role and place in the world and we should have respect for everyone since WE are all made in the image of GOD and one with GOD
2. The boatman is intelligent. He knows that there is no point in arguing with arrogant fools. He stays silent despite being insulted by the professor and bides his time. How many times do we find ourselves arguing with foolish, opinionated people? It is a waste of our time and energy. We are all better off without that.
3. God works in mysterious ways. How quickly can the tide turn in our lives? From enjoying a comfortable boat ride in the river, suddenly the professor is at the risk of loosing his life. We should never forget that our time in the world is limited and we should focus on the important things to do in our lives and avoid wasteful distractions.
4. The professor learns that the man he had insulted earlier is now his only hope for survival. Suddenly, all his arrogance is gone and he begs for help. And now that the opportunity has come, the boatman does not shy away from teaching the professor a valuable lesson.
STORY CREDIT: This story has its source in the six volumes of Masnavi by Jalalu'din Rumi, translated by Maryam Mafi
Commenti