Story 5: The Answer That Was Never Spoken
In the village lived a man who believed he was the wisest of all.
He spoke loudly.
He corrected everyone.
And he never missed a chance to give advice—whether asked or not.
“If only people listened to me,” he often said,
“this village would be perfect.”
One day, the village elder announced a gathering under the banyan tree.
“We will choose a helper,” the elder said,
“someone who can guide others wisely.”
The proud man smiled.
“This is for me,” he thought.
Villagers gathered.
The elder stood and said only this:
“I will ask one question.
The wisest person will not need many words to answer.”
The proud man straightened up.
The elder asked:
“What should a person do when they don’t know what to do?”
Silence followed.
Then the proud man stepped forward.
He spoke for a long time.
He talked about experience.
He talked about intelligence.
He talked about leadership and confidence.
The villagers grew tired.
When he finally stopped, a small girl raised her hand.
The elder nodded.
She said only one sentence:
“They should listen.”
Then she sat down.
The banyan leaves rustled gently.
The elder smiled.
“That,” he said, “is the answer.”
The proud man felt his face grow hot.
Later, someone asked the elder why the girl was chosen.
The elder replied,
“Wisdom knows when to speak.
But greater wisdom knows when not to.”
From that day on, the proud man spoke less.
And strangely, people began listening to him more.
🌟 Moral
Wisdom is not proven by how much you say,
but by knowing when silence is enough.
Review Banyan Tree Tales Story 5.