Nov 29, 2017
What My Mentor Taught Me: Lesson 4-Duyilemi A. Felix
“Why do you think many people live below their potential”
My mentor asked that afternoon in his office.
I think “It’s ignorance sir.” I responded.
“Ignorance, ignorance, hmmm… ignorance” that word “ignorance” My mentor seemed to have a long contemplation before he called that word again, “ignorance”
“Do you know the meaning of ignorance?” My mentor asked.
I presumed the question was hypothetical, so I delayed giving a response.
“You see, the Latin word for ignorance is ignorantia, and it means ‘want of knowledge’”
“It’s not talking about want of general knowledge, it’s talking about want of specific knowledge”
“Specific knowledge”
I leaned forward towards my mentor as I pronounced that two words after him.
“Son” my mentor reclined, “Nobody ever becomes great on general knowledge, it’s only specific knowledge that differentiates men in life. And 80% of the world population lives on general knowledge.”
“Let me tell you a story” continued my mentor…
There was a village in a kingdom. There (in that Kingdom) was living a milkman. His name was Ofibus. Ofibus was called the ignorant man.
He had built his hut far away from his village, in the woods. He loved the quietness of the woods rather than the noisy atmosphere of the village.
He lived in his hut with his two cows. He fed them well and took proper care of them. Every day he took the two cows to a nearby lake to bath them. The two cows gave more milk. With the milk that the two cows gave, he earned enough money to live happily.
Ofibus was an honest man. Though he was content, at times he would be restless. “There is so much wrong and evil in this world. Is there nobody to guide the people?" he was constantly burdened by this thought.
One evening, the ignorant man, Ofibus was returning home after selling milk in the village. He saw a saint sitting under a tree and meditating. He slowly walked up to him and waited for the saint to open his eyes. He was happy to be with the saint for some time. He decided to wait there itself till the saint opened his eyes.
After a while, the saint slowly opened his eyes. He was surprised to see a man patiently sitting beside him.
“What do you want?" asked the saint humbly.
“I want to know what the path to Truth? Where shall I find Honesty?" asked Ofibus.
The saint smiled and said, “Go to the pond nearby and ask the fish the same question. It will give you the answer."
Ofibus went to the nearby pond and asked the same question to the fish.
The fish said, “O kind man! First, bring me some water to drink." Ofibus was surprised. He said,
“You live in water. But you still want water to drink? How strange!"
At this moment, the fish replied, “You are right. And that gives you the answer to your question as well. Truth, Piety and honesty are inside the heart of a man. But being ignorant, he searches for them in the outer world. Instead of wandering here and there, look within yourself and you will find them."
There was a village in a kingdom. There (in that Kingdom) was living a milkman. His name was Ofibus. Ofibus was called the ignorant man.
RELATED: WHAT MY MENTOR TAUGHT ME LESSON 3
This gave an immense satisfaction to Ofibus. He thanked the fish and walked home a wiser man. He changed the way in which he saw this world as well as himself. From that day, Ofibus never felt restless.
He took his best to carry this message to the rest of his fellow human beings. All his friends accepted him as their master and consulted him to overcome their mental problems. He led them properly.”
“Did you learn anything from this story” asked my Mentor.
“Yes Sir” I responded.
“What’s it?” My Mentor asked.
“Ignorance is want of knowledge that is already within us” I calmly responded.
“Yes, you are right. Specific Knowledge can only come from within you. General knowledge will make you to be well informed, specific knowledge will transform your life”
“See you next week Wednesday” My Mentor concluded.
“Thank you Sir for your time” I responded with joy!
PS: Thanks for visiting, please check back next week Wednesday for Lesson 5. Please, leave a comment before you leave. Thanks, It’s In You!
About the Author
Dr. Duyilemi Akindele Felix is a renowned writer and International Inspirational Speaker. He is a popularly sought after Speaker in Corporate Organizations, Schools, Seminars andChurches and host of a daily Radio Program "Life Without Limits" on Impact 92.5Fm. He has written a number of inspirational books, including "It’s In You" "Pick Up Your Broken dreams" "Wake Up Your Destiny" and others. He spends his time reading, writing and speaking. Reach him via [email protected].
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