The Logician’s Observation
One day, a logician went to purchase some flour from a miller. The miller asked him to kindly wait for a few moments, as he was just grinding the flour. The logician noticed that the miller kept an ox for turning the millstone. The ox would walk in a circle, the yoke attached to the stone, grinding the grains into flour. The ox had a nice bell tied around its neck, which clanged as he walked. The miller, meanwhile, was in his house, doing other things. After a few moments, he returned, gathered some fresh-ground flour into a sack, and gave it to the logician.
The Logician’s Question
“I have one question for you,” said the logician.
“A question for me?” returned the miller incredulously. “I am simply a farmer. What do I know of your scholarly questions?”
“No, this is a question about your line of work. Tell me, why do you keep that bell on the neck of the ox?”
The Miller’s Practical Answer
“Oh, that way I can do other things. When he walks, I hear the bell. If I hear no bell, I come out and give him a whack to start him walking again. Otherwise, I’d be standing here all day just looking after this ox.”
The Logician’s Curiosity
“But what if the ox stands still and just shakes his head so the bell rings? How would you know if he was working or not?”
The Miller’s Wisdom
“Oh, that’s no problem, because that animal is not a logician like you.”
Moral of the Story
This story illustrates the difference between theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom. While the logician’s question was logical, the miller’s experience and understanding of his ox provided a practical solution to the problem. The miller’s confidence in his simple yet effective system highlights the value of practical knowledge and understanding over complex theories.
Reflection
In our lives, we often encounter situations where practical wisdom outweighs theoretical knowledge. It’s essential to appreciate the insights gained from experience and the simple, effective solutions they offer.
Prayer
O Lord, grant us the wisdom to appreciate and apply practical knowledge in our daily lives. Help us to balance our theoretical understanding with practical insights, and to value the simplicity and effectiveness of real-world solutions.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
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