Krylov’s THE MUSICIANS*
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A CERTAIN man invited a neighbor to dinner, not without an ulterior purpose.
He was fond of music, and he entrapped his neighbour into his house to listen to his choir.
The honest fellows began to sing, each on his own account, and each with all his might.
The guest's ears began to split, and his head to turn.
"Have pity on me!" he exclaimed, in amazement.
“What can any one like in all this ? Why, your choristers bawl like madmen."
“It's quite true," replied the host, with feeling.
“They do flay one's ears just a trifle. But, on the other hand,
they are all of irreproachable behaviour, and they never touch a drop of intoxicating liquor.”
But, I say, in my opinion you had better drink a little, if needs be: only take care to understand your business thoroughly.
Another translation offers this for the above moral:
“Better to drink a bit, I say.
But do things the right way.”
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Like karaoke - which I am told gets better the more drinks consumed – the neighbor suggests the impresario stop excluding choristers who drink.
If they drink but sing magnificently, take the latter and worry less about the former.
If a teetotaler can’t sing, why have him or her in the choir?
So, it can be at work.
We may have a co-worker with an annoying habit or shortcoming, but if he or she is a good worker, a team player, say “So, what?”
*Source: Krilof and his fables, by Krylov, Ivan Andreevich, 1768-1844; Ralston, William Ralston Shedden, 1828-1889. Tr. London, 1869
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© Copyright all text John Lubans 2021
John Lubans - portrait by WSJ