Thursday, April 3, 2014

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth

Day 4

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. is a well known English proverb. It means one should be happy and grateful when receiving a gift. It is not the gift that counts but the goodwill of the giver which should be appreciated.
I know of quite a few incidents where the gifts were looked down upon.
A husband presented his wife a diamond ring which was criticized by the wife's mother saying that it was hardly seen on the finger and did not look expensive.
For all the mother-in-laws haughtiness, her daughter is in dire strait now since her husband lost all his business and they have to live with their daughter whose husband is kindhearted and willing to take care of the parents.

There are cases at south Indian weddings where sweets or snacks are criticized because of its shape.
Why can't the loud-mouthed people think it  a blessing to have a sumptuous meal  when there are people who do not get to eat a square meal.

Linking this to A-Z challenge.

D is for Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such a brilliant proverb and you have written a beautiful story for it! :) :)

~S(t)ri
Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
Smile, it makes (y)our day!

Nabanita said...

I think you have raised a valid point through this and it happens almost everywhere in India...

Random Thoughts Naba

Prasanna Rao said...

True that, I like receiving gifts, big or small, i think it's the thought that matters and not the gift because when you receive the gift it means that the person giving the gift was thoughtful enough :)

Shesha Chaturvedi said...

Ah! Yes people are critical and always looking at gift horse in the mouth... Specially in Indian weddings with return gifts... Next time I will use it on somebody who acts critical and will tell them the meaning in detail... :)) Educative ;)

Shailaja V said...

My post for G which is ready and scheduled takes a similar track, Anu :)

Glad to see the wisdom in the proverb spelled out so well!

Shailaja

A to Z Challenge, 2014
Introspection in Shades of 11

Rajlakshmi said...

this these things that mar the mood of wedding. Why can't they just bless the couple!!

sulekkha said...

I enjoy reading and making up my own sayings and quotes.This proverb is an old fav, very well incorporated in the incidents mentioned.