Meaning
This proverb advises against finding faults or being critical of a gift or favor received. When someone gives you something freely, it is disrespectful and ungrateful to scrutinize its value or complain about it. Accepting gifts with gratitude reflects humility and appreciation.
Understanding the Idea
Be thankful for what you receive; avoid criticizing gifts or favors, as they are given in goodwill.
A Beautiful and Relatable Moral Story
In a quiet village nestled between rolling hills, lived a young farmer named Liam. He worked hard on his small plot of land, but times were tough—his old plow horse had grown too weak to pull the heavy equipment, and harvesting crops became exhausting work done mostly by hand. Liam dreamed of a stronger horse but could barely afford feed for the one he had.
One crisp autumn morning, Liam’s elderly neighbor, Mr. Harlan, knocked on his door. Mr. Harlan was retiring from farming and moving to live with his daughter in the city. “Liam, my boy,” he said with a warm smile, “I’ve watched you toil day after day. I won’t need my horse anymore, and I’d like you to have him—as a gift. He’s strong and reliable; he’ll serve you well.”
Liam’s eyes lit up with joy. The horse, a sturdy bay named Thunder, was led to his stable that very day. It was exactly what Liam needed. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he thanked Mr. Harlan profusely, promising to care for Thunder as if he were family.
But as the days passed, curiosity got the better of Liam. He remembered stories from the market about checking a horse’s teeth to gauge its age. One evening, under the lantern light, Liam gently pried open Thunder’s mouth to inspect. To his surprise, the teeth were worn and yellowed—signs that Thunder was much older than he appeared, perhaps not as young and vigorous as he’d hoped.
Word spread quickly in the small village. When Mr. Harlan visited a week later to see how things were going, a neighbor casually mentioned Liam’s inspection. Mr. Harlan’s face fell with quiet disappointment. “I gave it from the heart,” he murmured, “but if it’s not good enough…” He turned away, hurt by what felt like ingratitude.
Liam felt a pang of regret. Thunder, despite his age, proved to be incredibly hardworking—plowing fields faster than Liam could have imagined, with a gentle temperament that made the work enjoyable. The horse’s experience made him steady and wise, avoiding pitfalls that a younger, friskier animal might stumble into. Thanks to Thunder, Liam’s harvest that year was bountiful, and his farm began to thrive.
Ashamed, Liam visited Mr. Harlan before he left the village. “I’m so sorry,” Liam said. “I should have just accepted your kindness without question. Thunder is a blessing—he’s changed everything for me.” Mr. Harlan forgave him with a nod and a smile. “Gifts are meant to be cherished, not critiqued, son. Remember that.”
From then on, Liam became known in the village for his gratitude. Whenever someone offered help or a small favor, he accepted it with open arms and a thankful heart, spreading kindness in return.
Moral: Appreciate the thought and effort behind gifts; focus on gratitude rather than perfection.
