Learning at Will

In most of the branches of nationalised banks in India, you will find one or two pens at the counter tied with a piece of twine. This is to facilitate customers to write their cheques, forms etc. If it is not tied, most of the customers either put it in the pocket, or misplace it, of course inadvertently too.

I have seen a few customers laughing at the bank’s ingenuity (?) or rather penury. Some indulge in jibes that these banks can’t prevent stealing of crores of rupees, but they are after a pen of two rupees.

But when this was presented as an essay topic in a classical English language paper, one student wrote:

“This clearly implies that Lakshmi* (money) can be stolen, but never Saraswati* (pen). Therefore, instead of leaving behind enormous wealth for your child, it’s far better to educate them.”

This is how we look at a thing in a positive way. This is how we can take inspiration from things and nature around us.

Banks may also not be aware that they are teaching this great lesson of life to those who wish to.

*PS: In India, we worship Lakshmi as the Goddess of wealth, and Saraswati as the Goddess of wisdom.

–Kaushal Kishore