Action, Reaction and No action are to be dealt with appropriately depending on the situation.
It was a sunny Sunday morning, and we reached our usual tea corner where we sip a cup of black tea after our morning walk. My friend Pratap and I are the early customers in the tea shop most of the days. Occasionally we used to meet OT (fondly called by the local folks as Old Traveller). It looks like nobody knows his actual name or age, and he also likes to be called as OT. He is our friend, philosopher and guide. To our great surprise, he was already seated in a corner of the shop sipping a cup of tea. Suddenly he glanced at me and asked, “Hi Balu, all ok? I have not seen you for a long time”.
I said, “I think we have not met for quite a long time. During my morning walk with Pratap today, we were discussing about the media propaganda about various matters, most of which make no sense and looks like they are aimed at misguiding and confusing the public”.
“We are only to be blamed for that”
“How come?”
“We have to verify the substance ourselves before discussing with someone or taking any action”
“How is it possible?”
“See, first verify the source and make sure that it is from a reliable source. What is the purpose of the information? Whether it is going to help anyone, or is it aimed at just creating panic among people? Whether any action is to be taken?”
“But how do we know whether any action is to be taken?”
“When we are talking about action, I must tell you about reaction also. Most of us react to almost all situations. A reaction is often an immediate response of someone to a situation or action. Without understanding the situation fully, we become carried away and judgmental, do not bother to understand the full story. I will tell you a small story about *Mullah Naseerddin Hodja”.
“One fine morning While Mullah Naseerddin was having his cup of tea sitting in the porch, an old friend of him came to him, his face was red with anger. He requested Mullah Naseerddin to listen to what he has to say, for some time. Last evening his friend had a fight with his neighbour and he was going on giving the details for an hour or so. Mullah Naseerddin patiently listened to him all the time and at the end, Mullah Naseerddin said, “you are right”. The friend felt happy and took leave. After about an hour, the other neighbour also came to Mulllah and requested for listening to his side of the story. Mullah Naseerddin patiently listened to him, and at the end he said, “you are right”. He also took leave happily. Mullah Naseerudhin’s wife was witnessing all this. Then, she asked him, “you were listening to both of them and you said “you are right” to both of them. Actually, on whose side, are you?” Mullah Nasseruddin said, “you are also right”.”
Actions are of many types. Immediate action, delayed action, not taking any action, etc. One has to use one’s own judgement studying the situation.
*Mullah Nasreddin Hodja appears in thousands of stories, often as witty and wise characters.
