Necessity of Practical Knowledge

Short Version

Once there was a scholar. He was very proud of his learning. One day, he was travelling by boat. The boatman was taking him across a river.

The scholar asked, “Do you know history?” The boatman said, “No.” The scholar said, “Then one part of your life is wasted.”

After some time, he asked, “Do you know geography?” The boatman again said, “No.” The scholar said, “Then half of your life is wasted.”

Later, he asked, “Do you know science?” The boatman said, “No.” The scholar laughed at him.

Suddenly, a strong storm began. The boat was about to sink. The boatman asked, “Sir, do you know how to swim?”

The scholar said, “No.”

The boatman said, “Then your whole life may be wasted today.”

The scholar understood that practical knowledge is also very important.

Moral: Practical knowledge is important in life.

Expanded Version

Once there was a scholar who was very proud of his book learning. One day, he was travelling by boat across a wide river. The boatman was a simple man who had spent most of his life working on the river.

After the journey began, the scholar asked, “Do you know history?”

The boatman replied, “No, sir.”

The scholar said, “Then one part of your life is wasted.”

After some time, the scholar asked, “Do you know geography?”

Again, the boatman answered, “No.”

The scholar smiled proudly and said, “Then half of your life is wasted.”

Later, he asked, “Do you know science?”

The boatman again said that he did not. The scholar laughed and told him that most of his life was wasted. The boatman remained quiet and continued rowing.

In the afternoon, the weather suddenly changed. A strong storm began to blow. High waves hit the boat, and it started filling with water. The scholar became very frightened.

The boatman then asked, “Sir, do you know how to swim?”

The scholar replied, “No, I do not.”

The boatman said, “Then your whole life may be wasted today, because the boat may sink.”

The scholar understood the lesson. Book knowledge is useful, but practical knowledge is also very important in life.