The Arrogant Scholar and the Boatman

A certain man was sailing in a boat. He was a scholar and took great pride in his learning.

"Have you studied anything?" he asked the boatman.

"No, I'm not learned. I only know how to row—that's my job," replied the young man.

"Not learned? Consider your life wasted! What use are you? You're a worthless fellow!"

The boatman was offended.

"Alright, I'll show you now whether I'm of any use or not!" he thought. Suddenly, he tilted the boat, and the scholar fell into the water.

The scholar flailed in the water, on the verge of drowning, while the boatman asked:

"So, I'm a worthless fellow, am I?"

"What are you saying, what are you saying!" babbled the arrogant man. "God is in heaven, and you are on earth! Save me, I'm drowning!"

The boatman pulled him out of the water and asked again:

"So, what kind of fellow am I?"

"There's no one in the world like you, my savior! I see now—every skill is needed by people! With all my learning, I almost went to the bottom!"

More fairy tales

• One Earned Ruble
• Yes, No, Never
• About How the Peasant Went to the Other World
• The Lion and the Hare
• The King's Adopted Son