Swimology

Swimology

Once there was a learned man, who was well read in almost all areas of science and arts and astrology. That is why the people of the village respected him and called him ‘master’ as a mark of respect. One day he wanted to go to the other side crossing the river, so he called a boatman. The boatman agreed to take him to the other side of the river.

  

A little later, the learned man started to converse with the boatman.

‘O boatman, how far did you study in school?’ he asked.

‘How sad and awful’ lamented the learned man. ‘surely you do not know the mystery of ‘science and nature’ of ‘biology and psychology’

‘No, I know nothing about those’ was the simple reply from the boatman.

            ‘Well if you know nothing about these, then you are in the dark’ said the learned man, ‘what good are you then?’ The boatman felt ashamed for his ignorance, but still he kept quiet.

            When they reached the middle of the river, the learned man noticed black clouds gathering in the eastern sky. Sensing the storm, he asked, ‘O boatman, do you know that a storm is coming?’ The boatman looked up at the troubled face of the master and said calmly, ‘have no fear, master, this is a common experience for us’. But the master was not assured, so he asked, ‘what if the river water starts to swell and the boat overturns, we will drown in the river?

            This time the boatman lost patience and said, ‘so what if the boat overturns, don’t you know how to swim or anything about swimology? ‘No I am afraid I know nothing about this, I spent my time reading but never realized to learn this’ was the san reply from the learned man.

            ‘Then your life is a waste’ the boatman said and he began to row faster for the river bank.

What we learn?

The person who does what thing is well practiced and known to that things.