A Little Learning Is a Dangerous Thing – Yes, No, Very Good
How to Study
Read the Model Story that is best for you, or use the Writing Outline to write your own story.
Short Version
Once there was a man in a village. He wanted to learn English very much. So, he went to a teacher.
The man was not a good learner. He learned only three English words: “yes,” “no,” and “very good.” But he did not know their meanings.
He returned to his village and told everyone that he knew English well. He often used these three words when he talked to people.
One night, there was a theft in a nearby house. A police officer came to ask questions. At last, he asked the man, “Did you steal the money?”
The man said, “Yes.”
The officer asked, “Do you know what will happen now?”
The man replied, “No.”
The officer said, “You will go to jail.”
The man smiled and said, “Very good.”
Moral: A little learning is a dangerous thing.
Expanded Version
Once there was a man in a village who wanted to learn English. He thought that speaking a few English words would make other people respect him.
So, he went to a teacher and began learning. But he was not patient and did not study carefully. After a short time, he learned only three expressions: “yes,” “no,” and “very good.” He could say the words, but he did not really understand when to use them.
The man returned to his village and proudly told everyone, “I know English now.” Whenever someone spoke to him, he tried to use his three English expressions.
One night, money was stolen from a nearby house. The next day, a police officer came to the village to ask questions. He spoke to several people and then questioned the man.
The officer asked, “Did you steal the money?”
The man wanted to show his English and answered, “Yes.”
The officer was surprised. He asked, “Do you know what will happen now?”
The man replied, “No.”
The officer said, “You may have to go to jail.”
The man smiled proudly and answered, “Very good.”
Everyone around him understood that he did not know the meaning of his own words.
The man’s little knowledge had put him in serious trouble. He then learned that knowing a few words without understanding them is not real learning.
Moral: A little learning is a dangerous thing.