LOST IN TRANSLATION - Part 1 - HOW TO DEBATE - Part 1 - A Mulla Nasrudin Story

LOST IN TRANSLATION 

Part 1

A Mulla Nasrudin Teaching Story

Retold By

VIKRAM KARVE

A renowned foreign scholar and his entourage were passing through the town where Mulla Nasrudin lived.

The scholar was felicitated by the City Council and Prominent Citizens of that town.

During the felicitation ceremony the foreign scholar said he wanted to have an intellectual discussion with the knowledgeable person in the city.

Now the members of the city council wanted to have some fun, so they immediately summoned their Town Jester – the  “wise fool” – Mulla Nasrudin.

As the news spread, a large crowd gathered to witness the “battle of wits”.

Now the foreign scholar did not speak the local language and the rustic Nasrudin could not understand or converse in the foreign scholar’s language.

So the two wise men tried to communicate with each other non-verbally in sign-language, while the audience looked on with fascination.

The foreigner, using a stick, drew a large circle on the sand.

Mulla Nasrudin took the stick and divided the circle into two.

Then the foreigner drew a line perpendicular to the one Nasrudin had drawn and the circle was now split into four quarters.

He motioned to indicate first the three quarters of the circle and then pointed to the remaining quarter.

In response to this Mulla Nasrudin made a swirling motion with the stick on the four quarters.

Then the foreigner made a bowl shape with two hands side by side, palms up, and wiggled his fingers.

Nasrudin responded by cupping his hands palms down and wiggling his fingers.

The foreign scholar then bowed his head in deference before Mulla Nasrudin.

Mulla Nasrudin smiled at the foreign scholar and then he walked away.

Later the renowned foreign scientist explained the intellectual encounter to the city council.

“Mulla Nasrudin is truly a very learned man and we had a very fruitful discussion,” the foreign scholar said,

“I told him that the earth was round and he told me that there was the equator in the middle of the earth.

I told him that the three quarters of the earth was water and one quarter of it was land and he said that there were undercurrents and winds.

I told him that the waters warm up, vaporize and move towards the sky, and in reply to that, he said that they cool off and come down as rain.”

Later, when he reached home, his wife was curious, so Mulla Nasrudin explained his version of intellectual encounter:

“This stranger has real good taste.

He said that he wished there was a large round tray of halwa (milk cake).

I said that he could only have half of it.

He said that the syrup should be made with three parts sugar and one part honey.

I agreed and said that they all had to mix well and blend properly.

Next he suggested that we should cook it on blazing fire.

To this I suggested that we should pour crushed nuts on top of the halwa.”

“It was a very rewarding discussion,” said Nasrudin with a glow of self satisfaction, “and I am so proud that I taught the foreign scholar the best recipe for halwa for which he will be grateful to me forever.”

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like reading this story?
I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my recently published book of short stories COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com

      

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

HAPPY CONVERSATION

A Quote for Wednesday Morning

That is the happiest conversation where there is no competition, no vanity, but only a calm, quiet interchange of sentiment.

… Dr. Samuel Johnson

COMMUNICATION MISMATCH

THE ART OF NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION 
HOW TO COMMUNICATE IN SILENCE
By
VIKRAM KARVE


Here is one of my favourite teaching stories called Battle of Wits

Once upon a time only two monks were permitted to stay in a Zen Temple. 

If any other wandering monk wanted to stay in the temple he had to engage in a battle of wits and defeat a resident monk in debate.

If the new monk won the argument he took the place of the defeated resident monk who then had to leave the temple and move on. 

If the resident monk won he continued to stay in the temple and the wandering monk had to go away.

In a temple in the northern part of Japan two brother monks were dwelling together.

The elder monk was learned and wise, but the younger monk was stupid and had just one eye.

A wandering monk came and asked for lodging, properly challenging them to a debate about spirituality.

The wise elder monk was fatigued and tired that day from too much studying so he told the younger one-eyed stupid monk to take up the challenge. “I am tired and want to sleep so you go and debate with the visitor,” the elder learned monk told the stupid one-eyed younger monk, “I don't want to hear any noise so request the dialogue in silence and have a silent debate.”

So the young monk and the stranger went to the shrine and sat down to debate in silence.

Shortly afterwards the traveller rose and went in to the elder monk, bowed his head in reverence, and said: “Your young companion is a brilliant scholar. He thoroughly defeated me.”

The wise elder monk was sure that the younger stupid one-eyed monk would be defeated in the battle of wits. So, on hearing that result of the debate was the opposite of what he had expected, the astonished elder monk asked the visitor, “Please relate the silent dialogue to me.”

“Well,” explained the traveller, “first I held up one finger, representing Buddha, the enlightened one.  

So he held up two fingers, signifying Buddha and his Teaching.  

I held up three fingers, representing Buddha, his Teaching, and his Followers, living the harmonious life.  

In reply he shook his clenched fist in my face, indicating that all three come from one realization.  

Thus he won and so I have no right to remain here.” 

With this, the traveller bowed in reverence once again and left the Zen temple.

Suddenly the stupid one-eyed younger monk came storming into the room and asked the wise elder monk, “Where is that fellow...?”

“I understand you won the debate,” the older learned monk said.

“Debate...? What debate...? There was no debate and I won nothing. I am going to beat that insolent stranger and thrash the hell out of him,” the young monk shouted in anger.

“Beat him up...? Trash him...?” the perplexed elder monk exclaimed, “you tell me what happened and relate the silent dialogue to me.”

This is how the stupid one-eyed younger brother described his version of the silent debate:

“The minute he saw me he held up one finger, insulting me by insinuating that I have only one eye.  

Since he was a stranger I thought I would be polite to him, so I held up two fingers, congratulating him that he has two eyes. 

Then the impolite scoundrel held up three fingers, suggesting that between us we only have three eyes. 

So I got mad and started to punch him, but the coward ran out and that ended the debate...” 


This story exemplifies communication mismatch that can occur when you indulge in non-verbal communication (maybe in sign language) with someone who does not understand your “language” owing to cultural or cognitive reasons. This non-verbal communication mismatch can sometimes have hilarious results and occasionally may have not so hilarious consequences as well.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this story?

I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook

If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com      
vikramkarve@gmail.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

COMMUNICATION CAN MISFIRE - So Think Before You Speak

EFFECTS OF COMMUNICATION

Stimulus and Response (the SR Paradigm)

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Why do you speak…?

The aim of any communication is to produce a desired effect on the audience.

Communication is a stimulus and the effect of communication is the response

that we elicit from the recipient of our communication.

On many occasions communication has unintended effects, much to the embarrassment of the speaker. Your objective may to motivate the person but he may think you are patronizing him. It all depends on the situation and frame of mind at that moment.

So before you speak, you must ask yourself: 

“What effect will my words have on the person to whom I am speaking…?”

You must be clear in your mind what outcome you want to achieve and ask yourself: 

“How can I bring about the desired effect in the person I am communicating with…? 

What do I need to say…? 

What style should I adopt…?”

Given below are various effects a communication can produce in the audience, outcomes which you as a speaker can create in a listener, intentionally, or unintentionally, if you are not careful. 

You may intend to sympathize with someone but she may think you are patronizing her. 

You may want to humour someone and land up humiliating or insulting him. 

Unintentional lapses in communication may result in negative outcomes in the audience. 

Conversely you may want to confuse your audience and end up educating them…!

A FEW COMMUNICATION EFFECTS (STIMULUS and RESPONSE)

Inform

Instruct

Impress

Influence

Inspire

Irritate

Insult

Instigate

Inflame

Teach

Guide

Educate

Persuade

Motivate

Convince

Dissuade

Flatter

Humour

Entertain
Romance

Seduce

Patronize

Appease

Console

Cajole

Confuse

Activate

Sympathize

Chastise

Humiliate

Annoy

Disgust

Alienate

Warn

Threaten

Scare

Whether it is public speaking or interpersonal communication, make sure you have a definite intention and clear about the communication effect you want to achieve in the audience before you speak rather than create an unpredictable effect on the listener by default.

And if you do not want to have any effect on a person (or to cause any change in their understanding, beliefs, feelings or behaviour) then it is best to remain silent. 

Why indulge in aimless communication? 

Why speak if you have nothing to say? 

This applies to other forms of communication too - like written and non-verbal forms of communication.

Ask yourself, is there a need to communicate if you have no message or information to convey?

And if you do have something to say please make sure you communicate effectively and obtain the desired effect in the recipient of the communication.

Remember: THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK lest your Communication Misfire.

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2011

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like reading this article?
I am sure you will like the 27 stories in my recently published book of short stories COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
vikramkarve@gmail.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

SCIENCE OVER PHILOSOPHY

Science over Philosophy

A Mulla Nasrudin Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

A learned foreign scientist said he wanted to challenge the wits of the most knowledgeable person in the city.

The townsfolk called for Mulla Nasrudin, the wise philosopher.

When Mulla Nasrudin arrived, the foreigner drew a circle in the sand with a stick.

Nasrudin frowned, took the stick, and divided the circle in two.

The foreigner then drew another line through the circle that divided it into four equal parts.

Nasrudin pretended to gather three parts toward himself and to push the remaining part toward the foreigner.

The foreigner then raised his arm above his head, and wiggling his extended fingers, he slowly lowered his hand to the ground.

Nasrudin did exactly the same thing but in the opposite direction – he moved his hand from the ground to a height above his head.

And, that completed the foreigner's tests, who bowed his head in deference before Mulla Nasrudin who smiled cannily at having won the academic duel and then walked away.

Later the renowned foreign scientist explained his game of wits privately to the city council..."Your Mulla Nasruddin is a very clever man," he began, "I showed him that the world is round – and your Mulla Nasrudin confirmed it but indicated that 'it also has an equator'.

Then when I divided the world into 4 parts, he indicated that it is '3 parts water and 1 part land', which I can't deny.

Finally, I asked him ‘what is the origin of rain’ and Nasrudin answered quite rightly that 'water rises as steam to the sky, makes cloud, and later returns to earth as rain.'"

When they got him alone, the ordinary townsfolk asked Mulla Nasrudin what the challenge was all about? 

Nasrudin said, "Well, that other fellow first asked me, 'suppose we have this round tray of halwa’?

So, I said, 'You can't eat it all by yourself, you know. So, I'll take half.'

Then that haughty foreigner chap got a little rude, saying, 'What will you do if I cut the halwa into 4 parts?'

That upset me, so I said, 'In that case, I'll take three of the parts and only leave you one!'

That softened the impertinent foreigner scientist a bit, I think, because then, with the motion of his hand, he said, 'Well, I suppose I could add some walnuts and pistachio nuts on top of the halwa.’

I cooled down too and said, 'That's fine with me, but you'll need to cook it under full flame, because an ash fire just won't be hot enough'.

When I said that, the scientist knew I was right, so he gave up the game, and conceded defeat..."

Thus Mulla Nasrudin, the Philosopher, defeated the Scientist, in the battle of wits. 

 

Philosophy ( intuitive right brain creative thinking ) always prevails over Science ( logical left brain analysis ), isn't it...?

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

 

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

 

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com

Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve 

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll