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This is the Leo Tolstoy story which we had in our high school curriculum.
The actual story in short..
The king discovered an unusually large grain and was astonished by its size. Intrigued, he sought the expertise of his wise men to uncover more about the grain. Despite their deliberations, they failed to understand its origin. It wasn't until a hen pecked at it that the wise men realised it was a grain of rye, a plant commonly grown in cold climates. After scouring their texts, they were unable to find any information about when and where the grain had grown. At a loss, they advised the king to consult the peasants, hoping they might have heard stories about it from their fathers.
The king summoned one of the oldest peasants in the town, an 80-year-old man who was bent, ash-pale, and toothless. With the aid of a helper, he slowly entered the king's hall, struggling to walk due to his frailty. His eyesight and hearing were also severely impaired. Despite his limitations, he told the king that he had seen the grain as a small child and suggested that his father might be able to provide more information. The peasant's father was then summoned.
The peasant's father entered the King's Court, walking with the aid of a single crutch. Although he had some eyesight and hearing problems, they were less severe than his son's. He informed the king that his own father used to cultivate such grains and would be able to provide more information about it. The king was astonished to learn that the peasant's father's father was still alive, living in the village, and actively working in the fields. The peasant's grandfather was then summoned to the king's court.
The grandfather marched in like a military man, boasting clear eyesight, a robust physique, and sharp hearing. Despite his advanced age, he still worked tirelessly in the fields. The king was taken aback by the grandfather's remarkable fitness and vitality.
The grandfather spoke eloquently, sharing his insights on maintaining men's fitness and overall health. He attributed his own well-being to a simple, active lifestyle, and highlighted the importance of self-sufficiency, noting that there were no monetary transactions in his time.
The moral of the story highlights the importance of good habits, physical and mental activities, and positive thinking in achieving longevity. The grandfather's remarkable health, surpassing that of his son and grandson, serves as a testament to this. The story suggests that in today's world, people have abandoned self-sufficiency, relying instead on the labor of others. This shift has led to a culture of coveting what others possess, resulting in poor health and widespread discontent among the present generation.
I still have a fond memory of my father teaching me a valuable lesson while I was preparing for the midterm examination way back in 1970s.
This is nostalgia...
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