Fab Four

The farmer ploughs the land to reap a golden grain…

The cowherd is not rewarded with milk, without any pain…

The blacksmith shapes the iron with tools that shine…
The potter shapes the clay with a picture in his mind…

The above lines are from a poem penned by yours truly inspired by the song ‘ye taara’ from the Hindi film ‘Swades’. They have been used to effectively convey the concepts of vision and mission. The analogies are of learning through the simple approaches of four traditional professions.

The farmer, involved in sustainable activity, is greater than the hunter who preys with greed and ends up depleting the resource. Before sowing the farmer ploughs the land to get it ready for sowing. The cowherd too feeds and nurtures the cow, before he can get its milk. Surely, we to need to involve in pre-project work to set the stage for the real activity.

The blacksmith ensures that his tools are just right. The potter envisions his creation even before he creates it. Both the craftsmen teach us the art of visioning and having the right tools. Those who can visualise their dream before it is realised are better placed to achieve it. Those who gather the right tools are going to empowered to execute the desirable actions.

Everyone wants a rich harvest. We reap what we sow! But we must learn to be better at sowing by doing the essentials before sowing. These essentials are of getting the ground ready, putting efforts in the incubation period, acquiring the right tools and envisioning the dream. Over the years, the fabulous four of the farmer, the cowherd, the blacksmith and the potter have just taught us so.

The law of the harvest is to reap more than you sown

Let’s be better at doing what the fab-four have shown!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.