What is the “Value” of Knowledge

 TEACHING STORY 

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VALUE OF KNOWLEDGE

Teaching Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

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I love teaching – and – I got plenty of opportunity to train and teach during my Navy days and thereafter. 

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I have encountered two types of students:

1. Students interested in learning (knowledge oriented students)

and 

2. Students interested in marks/grades (examination oriented students)

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This second category of examination-oriented students would often say that I taught much more beyond the syllabus – and – they would ask me of what use was all this extra knowledge from the “examination point of view”. 

To these students – I would often narrate this classic Teaching Story.

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VALUE OF KNOWLEDGE 

TEACHING STORY RE-TOLD BY VIKRAM KARVE

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There was once a wise man – a “Guru” – who narrated “teaching stories” to explain his points.

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One day – a man interrupted his sermon – and he rudely said to the ”Guru”:

“You are talking all nonsense. 

I cannot understand head or tail of what you are saying.

And – your so-called “teaching stories” are at best poor jokes – they don’t make sense or have any meaning...”

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On hearing this – the ”Guru” smiled at the man.

Then – the ”Guru” calmly removed the diamond studded gold ring on his finger.

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The ”Guru” politely called the man who had interrupted him.

When the man came – the ”Guru” gave the ring to the man – and he told the man: 

“Go outside to the flea market and roadside stalls – and ask them the cost of this ring.

Ask them for how much will they will buy this ring. 

I want to sell this ring.

So – if you get a good price – you sell the ring.

The minimum price is One Lakh Rupees. 

Don’t sell it for less than a lakh of rupees...”

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The man returned after some time and he angrily said to the ”Guru”: 

“You have made me a laughing stock. 

No one is prepared to pay One Lakh Rupees for this ring. 

They say this ring is not worth even a hundred rupees...”

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The ”Guru” then told the man: 

“Now go to the best jeweller in town and ask him...”

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After some time – the man returned dumbfounded.

And – he said to the ”Guru”: 

“I just can’t believe it – the jeweller paid Rupees Two Lakhs for your ring...”

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The ”Guru” looked the man in the eye and said: 

“Just as only a good jeweller can understand the true value of my ring – only the truly wise can understand the true meaning of my teaching stories. 

Yes – only the truly wise can understand the value of genuine knowledge...”

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VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh. 

2. This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

3. E&OE

Copyright Notice:

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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

Parts and Versions of this story have been posted by me earlier posted in my various writing blogs - including at urls: https://karvediat.blogspot.com/2011/08/real-wisdom-and-fake-wisdom.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2021/12/value-of-knowledge.html etc

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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