There’s an old Indian story about a child who once told his teacher that he only learned one line during the few days the teacher was away. As all of his classmates claimed to have studied multiple chapters in this time, the teacher was upset about the child’s progress.
As he pressed the child further on this lack of progress, the child calmly explained that he’d put in maximum effort. As the conversation progressed, the teacher became increasingly infuriated, insulted the child’s intelligence, and slapped him.
The child stayed calm throughout this fit of anger.
Surprised at the child’s reaction, the teacher finally asked him what was the line he’d learnt.
“Don’t get angry.” – came the response.
On occasions when I think of this story, I’m reminded of the power of doing few things well.
And, of the fact that to learn and not to do is not to learn.
