24- DIALOGUE BETWEEN A BOOKISH STUDENT AND AN ATHLETIC STUDENT ON THE COMPARATIVE MERITS OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CULTURE

DIALOGUE BETWEEN A BOOKISH STUDENT AND AN ATHLETIC STUDENT ON THE COMPARATIVE MERITS OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CULTURE

Shahzad: (Entering his friend’s room) Asslam-o-Alaikum! Buddy.

Atif: Wa’alaikum-us-Salaam! How come?

Shahzad: I was just feeling boredom therefore, I have come to you. You are swotting away as usual. Come out, man; shut up your old books, and come and have a game of tennis.

Atif: I am sorry I can’t do that, Shahzad. My exams are drawing near, and I want every hour I can get for study.

Shahzad: Oh! Hang all exams! I don not worry about mine. What is use of them, any way?

Atif: Well, you can not get a degree if you don’t pass the examination; and I have set my heart on being a B.A.

Shahzad: And pray what good will B.A. do you? You may get a clerkship in a government office; but that’s all. And there are hundreds of fellows who have got their degrees, and are no nearer getting jobs of any sort.

Atif: That may be so; but I am not studying so much to pass my examination and obtain my degree, as to store my mind with knowledge and develop my intellectual faculties.

Shahzad: My word! How fine you “highbrows” can talk “Develop my intellectual faculties,” I tell you, all a man wants to get on in the world is some brains, plain common sense, and plenty of push. And you can not learn these things from books. And while you are “developing your intellectual faculties,” you are spoiling your health. You will soon be a thin, while, narrow-chested, half-blind weakling if you stick to your beloved books like this. Look at my broad chest and feel my biceps! Anyway, I am developing my physical powers with my games and athletics.

Atif: Well, if I have to choose, I would rather have a learned and cultivated mind than a strong and well developed body; for the mind is far more important than the body.

Shahzad: Oh! I see! You mean to say that a man who plays football and hockey and is as strong as a horse, can not, have any brains?

Atif: I did not say that; but you may remember what Kipling said about “muddied oafs and flannelled fools.”

Shahzad: Well, I must say you are very complimentary!

Atif: Anyways! Study and sports have their own place.

Shahzad: We should not argue over it now. I think I should leave you alone now.

Atif: I shall see you as soon as the exams are over then we shall have a detailed conversation over this topic.

Shahzad: I am also getting late now. So, let me go now. Allah Hafiz.

Atif: Allah Hafiz.