A scholar
of language and grammar undertook a journey. A river had to be crossed. As was
the custom in those days, the scholar hired the boat of a waiting ferryman who
took people across the river.
During
the journey, the scholar asked the ferryman, with obvious pride and mockery, if
he knew anything about grammar and the rules of language.
The
ferryman simply replied, "I don't."
"Alas!"
retorted the rude scholar of grammar, "You have wasted half of your
life."
At this,
the sailor was terribly hurt and aggrieved. But he kept quiet. Suddenly the
boat was extremely nervous in the high waves and gushing water. "Do you
know how to swim, learned Sir?" asked the sailor.
"No!"
said the scholar.
The
ferryman remarked, "Alas! You have wasted your whole life for the boat is
sure to capsize in a few minutes."
Moral: A little knowledge cannot lead to great pride.
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