The Short Story

"Strong or Weak"

There was a proud teak tree in the forest. He was tall and strong. There was a small herb next to the tree.

The teak tree said, “I am very handsome and strong. No one can defeat me.” Hearing this, the herb replied, “Dear friend, too much pride is harmful. Even the strong will fall one day.”

The teak ignored the herb’s words. He continued to praise himself.

A strong wind blew. The teak stood firmly. Even when it rained, the teak stood strong by spreading its leaves.

During these times, the herb bowed low. The teak made fun of the herb.

One day, there was a storm in the forest. The herb bowed low. As usual, the teak did not want to bow.

The storm kept growing stronger. The teak could no longer bear it. He felt his strength giving way.

He tried his best to stand upright, but in the end, he fell down. That was the end of the proud tree.

When everything was calm again, the herb stood straight. He looked around. He saw that the proud teak had fallen.

Moral: Pride goes before a fall.

More about the proverb ‘Pride goes before a fall’
The original source of the proverb ‘pride goes before a fall’ is the Bible, the Book of Proverbs. Proverbs 16:18, reads "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall,” in the New International Version. There are other instances also in the Bible where pride is condemned. Matthew 23.12 reads: "For whosoever will exalt himself, shall be brought low.” Proverbs 29.23 reads: "The pride of a man shall bring him low.”

Some scholars take this to mean that pride causes carelessness, which leads to errors and serious mistakes. Some others take it to mean that God will discipline proud people by causing events, which will induce humility in them.

There are plenty of examples in history that fulfill this adage. The story of ‘Titanic’ stands out. The ship had been declared unsinkable by its makers. The lack of enough lifeboats on the ship was also reportedly a result of this overconfidence. What happened to the ship later is history.

In Literature, this proverb from the Bible finds a place quite often. William Shakespeare has used it in his plays. King Lear, the tragic hero of the play ‘King Lear’ is brought down by one fatal flaw, pride, as well as folly.

In Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7, the king confesses

“I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself” (1.7.25-7)

Macbeth desires to kill King Duncan, to claim the throne for himself. It is a "vaulting ambition,” which is a guise of pride that is deprecated in the Bible. Sure enough, Macbeth meets his nemesis soon.