In the Value Education period, the teacher began her class by holding up a glass with some water in it. She held it up for all to see and asked the students, “How much do you think this glass weighs?”
“50 gms! .... 100gms! ......125gms ......,” the students answered.
“I really don’t know unless I weigh it,” said the teacher, “but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?”
“Nothing, Ma’am,” the students replied.
“Okay. What would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?” the teacher asked.
“Ma’am, your arm would begin to ache,” said one of the students.
“You’re right. Now what would happen if I held it for the entire day?”
“Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and, Ma’am, you’ll have to go to hospital for sure!” ventured another student, and all the students laughed.
“Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?” asked the teacher.
“No.”
“Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?” The students were puzzled. “Put the glass down!” said one of the students.
“Exactly!” said the teacher. “Life’s problems are something like this. Hold them for a few minutes in your head and they seem okay. Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. Hold them even longer and they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.”