Once, a scholar loved to travel from one place to another. One day, on his way to a certain destination, he had to cross a river sitting in a boat. It was a very pleasant moment for the scholar as if the reflection of the Sun's rays on the calm and quiet river and a gentle breeze had removed the monotony of the boring city life. On the other hand, the boatman was illiterate and could hardly feel the depth of such natural beauty. He was just rowing the boat in search of his livelihood.
After a while, out of curiosity, the scholar asked the boatman if he knew the per capita income of their country. "No, sir", the boatman replied. "You must know the things happening around you", the scholars said to him. "It will help you foresee what will happen in near future."
He again asked him who the first president of the country was. The boatman shook his head. The scholar became surprised and said, "It's really a matter of shame that you don't know the simple history of the nation." "You really live in the world of ignorance. The scholar hung his head down and remained silent for a moment.
"What are the four principles of our constitution?" he deliberately asked him again as if he had forgotten the incapability of the boatman to reply to his two simple questions. "What is the constitution, sir", the boatman uttered hesitatingly. The scholar told him that his life was meaningless. He added that his life was not better than a lower animal.
Suddenly, the beautiful weather was turning into a rough one. The sky became dark and gloomy; the rain started falling heavily; the sky was full of lightning and thundering; strong wind began to blow. The scholar became frightened. "Do you know how to swim, sir?" the boatman asked the scholar. The scholar replied that he did not know swimming. "You know so many things, but you don't know how to swim." Being scared about the situation, the scholar began to cry.
After a while, a strong wind came and sank the boat. However, the boatman with his skill not only saved himself but also the scholar. The scholar warmly thanked him and understood how useful an ordinary person like the boatman can be. "Everyone is a hundred feet long in his own world; everyone can contribute in his own way," he spoke to himself. "A little love can turn an ordinary person into a better one."