An Example is Better Than Precept

“My son takes sugar candy

Quite often, almost every day.

He doesn’t listen to my advice.

Please tell him to stop this practice.”

A mother told a Holy man,

Revered by everyone.

He smiled and replied.

“Next month bring the child.”

A month passed and she came back.

“Candy, my child, don’t take,”

To her surprise, he advised the child.

In his usual tone, soft and mild.

To her query why this wasn’t told

In the last meeting they held,

He said, “I stopped eating candy.

I’m now fit to advise him really.”

“An example is better than precept.”

This everyone should accept

And in one’s lifetime follow

Before giving advice hollow.

~ Rajaram Ramachadran~