YOUR DOG CANNOT SWIM






Pic.: Sheela Krishnamony

Years ago, when I had decided to do something about my poor English, one of the things I did – and found it very useful – was telling a nice story in two tenses… Past and Present. Over the years, I have helped hundreds of people who were earnest to improve their English with the same method… Yes, write a nice story down in both the tenses… and tell it to someone.


I had first come across this story in Shiv Khera’s famous book: ‘You Can Win’.


Our eyes are slow when it comes to recognizing the good in others… But, when it comes to the ‘fault-finding’, oh yes, they are very quick!




YOUR DOG CANNOT SWIM



PAST:


A man had a dog with a special gift: The dog could ‘run’ over water!

Now, what a special gift that was, indeed! This man, obviously, felt proud about his gifted dog… and many people complimented him on it. He, undoubtedly, felt good about it.

Then, one day, this man happened to meet an old friend. He wanted to show this friend the special talent of his dog and took him along for hunting to the countryside. There, he proudly demonstrated to his friend the unique talent of his dog. Every time he shot down a bird from the sky, the gifted dog sped like a missile over the water, and fetched back the bird to his master. It happened repeatedly.

“Did you see, my friend?” the man asked with immense pride.

“Yes, I did?” replied the friend.

“What did you see?” the man wanted to be reassured.

“That, your dog can not swim!”


PRESENT:


A man has a dog with a special gift: The dog can ‘run’ over water!

Now, what a special gift that is, indeed! This man, obviously, feels proud about his gifted dog… and many people compliment him on it. He, undoubtedly, feels good about it.

Then, one day, this man happens to meet an old friend. He wants to show this friend the special talent of his dog and takes him along for hunting to the countryside. There, he proudly demonstrates to his friend the unique talent of his dog. Every time he shoots down a bird from the sky, the gifted dog speeds like a missile over the water, and fetches back the bird to his master. It happens repeatedly.

“Did you see, my friend?” the man asks with immense pride.

“Yes, I did?” replies the friend.

“What did you see?” the man wants to be reassured.

“That, your dog can not swim!”


GERALD D’CUNHA

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