Friday, January 10, 2014

A walk to my birthplace - Day 65 (200 Km covered so far)

A farmer had a huge piece of land and generations of hard work had ensured that the farmer was well off. Farmer had spent all his life working hard but could not attend school. He thought that his son should get what he himself could not get in life.

So the farmer sends the son off to city for education. He finally ensures that his son takes a degree in agriculture from best of the universities. When son returns home equipped with his degree, the proud father takes him to the farm. Father takes him to the tree where the son used to spend most of his time as a child. As they stand near the tree, father asks, “Can you tell me something about this tree” hoping to connect his son to his past / his roots.

Ignorant of his father’s emotion, son looks at the tree and shakes his head. “Father, the way this tree is slanted and the way the leaves are exposed to sunlight, I don’t think this son will bear good mangoes this year”. Father nods, “Interesting that you could make it out based on this observation”. With a smirk the  son says, “Well I have studied best technology when it comes to agriculture.” Father sighs, “Hmm …. You are right. This tree will not bear good mangoes and not only this year but never …. Because it is not a mango tree!!”


Well, I guess the story does not ridicule education, it just gives a word of caution …. Wisdom earned over the years with experience is always valuable. When we approach our work with all our formal education, lets remember that there may be someone who may not be as fortunate as us but would still have the gift of wisdom

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