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( Full description for those who can't see it )
The inspiration for this one has been rattling around in my head for a while. Several years ago, I found an Irish Proverb site, which gave the original proverbs in Gaelic, translations to English, and a paragraph about what the proverb reveals about Gaelic grammar, and/or Irish culture.
And one proverb in particular tickled my fancy: "Whoever will bring a story to you will take two stories away from you." It tickled me because I've read many Irish folktales where travelers are required to tell stories, as good manners, when they visit someone's house. And here was evidence that that story trope had a real, muddy-boots, practical, basis in reality.
But the interpretation that someone wrote up for the proverb completely missed the point -- saying this is more a statement of Irish protocol than a true proverb.
And I'm sorry, but no. This is not the equivalent of: "When you sit down at the table, you will chew with your mouth closed."
Every person who tells you one story (which is, potentially, anyone you meet) will come away with two stories -- whether or not you followed "proper protocol:" They'll leave with the same story they came with, and they'll have a new story all about you... And it's up to you to shape the kind of story they'll tell. Will it be a story about a noble human being, or a first-class jerk?
That, my friends, is a proper proverb.
(also, this icon replaces one I used for Script Frenzy, years ago: "Be careful, or I'll put you in my script!" [if I recall correctly])
*Does a bit of Google-digging* Ah, here's the proverb's page!
Daltai.com: Proverbs -- the Bigger World: "Whoever will bring a story to you..."
The inspiration for this one has been rattling around in my head for a while. Several years ago, I found an Irish Proverb site, which gave the original proverbs in Gaelic, translations to English, and a paragraph about what the proverb reveals about Gaelic grammar, and/or Irish culture.
And one proverb in particular tickled my fancy: "Whoever will bring a story to you will take two stories away from you." It tickled me because I've read many Irish folktales where travelers are required to tell stories, as good manners, when they visit someone's house. And here was evidence that that story trope had a real, muddy-boots, practical, basis in reality.
But the interpretation that someone wrote up for the proverb completely missed the point -- saying this is more a statement of Irish protocol than a true proverb.
And I'm sorry, but no. This is not the equivalent of: "When you sit down at the table, you will chew with your mouth closed."
Every person who tells you one story (which is, potentially, anyone you meet) will come away with two stories -- whether or not you followed "proper protocol:" They'll leave with the same story they came with, and they'll have a new story all about you... And it's up to you to shape the kind of story they'll tell. Will it be a story about a noble human being, or a first-class jerk?
That, my friends, is a proper proverb.
(also, this icon replaces one I used for Script Frenzy, years ago: "Be careful, or I'll put you in my script!" [if I recall correctly])
*Does a bit of Google-digging* Ah, here's the proverb's page!
Daltai.com: Proverbs -- the Bigger World: "Whoever will bring a story to you..."
