MONKEY SOLUTIONS

Beware of well-intentioned but misguided solutions to problems. Retired Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong of Kumasi, Ghana, tells the story of how a group of monkeys sought to help some fishes they saw struggling in a raging flood. Quickly jumping down from their trees, and with much effort, they caught the fishes one by one and placed them on dry land. Soon, motionless fishes piled on the shore. Turning to each other, the monkeys said: “See, the tired fishes are sleeping and resting. But for us, they’d all have drowned! When they wake up, they’d be very grateful that we’ve given them salvation.” Zeal without knowledge is risky and destructive (Proverbs 19:2). In the face of danger, ignorance in action is as dangerous as stupidity or inaction.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim