The Wise Man and The Fool

Three brothers were bestowed with the capacity of walking in the air, by the Lord, after performing a lot of good deeds. The boon was received by them with glee and they enjoyed their new power for sometime. Now they did not need the support of earth below their feet for moving around. They could go wherever they desired by just walking in the air. Days were wonderful for them.

They were walking in the sky and enjoying the sight on the ground on a sunny morning. The greenery on the earth was enchanting. Freshly bloomed colourful flowers added to the beautiful sight. They suddenly saw an eagle flying fast below their feet. They also saw a snake moving on the ground. The eagle flew down and lifted the snake. The eldest brother felt he should save the life of the snake as otherwise the eagle would eat it. "Leave the snake", he shouted at the eagle. The eagle was startled and left the snake. He got the benefaction of saving the snake's life, but also got the curse of snatching eagle's food. He immediately lost his capacity to walk in the air and fell down on the ground.

The middle brother realised the folly of his elder brother. He did the wrong of snatching the eagle's food, the middle brother reasoned. To correct that mistake he shouted at the eagle. "Don't leave the snake. Catch it", he said. Eagle was pleased to catch the snake and soared into the sky with the snake now firmly clasped in its feet. The middle brother got the benefaction of giving food to the eagle, but also got the curse of taking the snake's life! He too immediately lost his capacity to walk in the air and fell down on the ground.

The youngest brother saw the plight of his two elder brothers. He decided not to interfere with things not connected with him. He continued to walk in the air and moved away.

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The concept of "Reasonable or Prudent Man" is often used in tort and criminal law. Tort itself is defined as a wrongful act, other than breach of trust or contract, that results in injury (legal injury included) to another's person, property or reputation etc. A reasonable or prudent man is a hypothetical person used as a legal standard in deciding issues, as to whether someone's actions are proper or with negligence. 

People living in civilised societies are expected to interact with other people in community in various capacities. While dealing with others and their properties, any person is expected to display a certain level of care and standard of behaviour. A "Reasonable or Prudent Man (or man of ordinary prudence)" exercises average care, skill and conduct that the society expects from its members. The conduct of such a person in the given circumstances serves as a standard for deciding the actions of an accused before a court of law.

This concept of "Man of Ordinary Prudence" is especially used frequently in teaching as well as examining the conduct and actions of Bankers, while dealing with their customers and their properties entrusted to bankers during the course of business.

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In this background, all people in the society can be classified into three groups:

• The first group comprises persons who fall short of the standards expected of a "Man of ordinary prudence". They are "Fools". A Fool is a silly or stupid person who lacks judgement or sense. His level of behaviour always falls well short of the level exhibited by a man of ordinary prudence. Hence he is much less than a reasonable man. 
• The second group comprises persons who display behaviour matching with the hypothetical "Man of ordinary prudence". They are the common people with average level of judgement and behaviour.
• The third group consists of "Wise People". A wise man has the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is just or right. He always displays a level of behaviour that is much above the level exhibited by a man of ordinary prudence. His wisdom is evident in the type of decisions he takes and in his actions.

Learning levels are directly linked to the above classification:

• A fool does not learn even from his own mistakes. He keeps repeating the same mistakes and suffers their consequences.
• A man of ordinary prudence learns from his mistakes. He does not repeat his mistakes.
• A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. He observes his environment and avoids committing mistakes done by others, thereby benefiting from the experiences of others around him.

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The youngest brother in the story above belonged to the third category. He was indeed wise. He learnt from the mistakes of his brothers and avoided the effects of their follies!