Story of the week - The Training Course

[Guest guest]

Story of the weekSaturday, December 20, 2003

 

The Training Course

One uneducated and simple minded person joined a military recruiting centre. He

was undergoing a few months' training course which would make him eligible to

join the army. Unfortunately, just after completing a week of this training,

news reached that there would be a visit of an army officer who would interview

the candidates and inspect the type of training being given by the centre.

The person in charge of training these candidates was very much worried about

the newly recruited simple minded man. However, since he happened to be an

experienced army officer, he knew well the type of questions that would be put

to the new recruits. So, he coached this man thoroughly to answer correctly

most plausible questions. He asked him to first of all remember the sequence of

the questions. The first question would be 'What is your age?' You are to say

"22 years". The second question would be 'How long have you been in this

centre?' You are to answer "two years". And the third may be, 'Are you happy in

this centre or do you feel homesick?' You have to say "I am at home both here

and in my place."

The Cadet learnt these answers by rote. On the day of inspection, he was asked

to come to the interview room. The inspecting officer asked him, "How long have

you been here"? The cadet just remembering the sequence of the questions said,

"22 years". The officer was rather surprised. Then he asked, "What is your

age"? The cadet said, "Two years". "What nonsense is this? Are you mad or am I

mad", roared the officer. The cadet calmly answered, "Both" as he could only

remember just that word because he had by then got scared.

It is dangerous to remember things by rote.

— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Source: Chinna Katha II, 49

http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/stories/s1051.html

 

New Photos - easier uploading and sharing