Makara Jyothi

Chitrasena was a learned brahmin priest.  Once while crossing a river on a boat, he happened to chat up with the boatman.  Chitrasena was very proud about his knowledge of the scriptures.
"Have you read the Vedas?" asked Chitrasena to the boatman.
"No, sir", replied the boatman.
"You have wasted 25% of your life.  Never mind, have you read the Upanishads?" asked Chitrasena
"No, sir.  We are not fortunate enough to afford it." answered the boatman.
"You have wasted 40% of your life." declared Chitrasena and continued, "Atleast have you read the Mahabharata and Ramayana?"
"No, sir." answered the boatman.
"You have wasted half your life.", thundered Chitrasena
They continued the journey without much conversation.  A little while later, the river started to swell and it seemed as if there was going to be a flash floods.
"Sir, do you know swimming?" enquired the boatman.
"No, I have spent all my life mastering the Scriptures", answered Chitrasena with pride.
"Alas, sir. You have wasted your entire life." saying this the boatman jumped into the swelling river and swam to safety.
The price of pride - Was it really worth it?