The Tale of the Coal Basket

A discouraged student went to Mullah Nasruddin and said: "Mullah, I have read so many books and listened to so many teachers, but I forget most of it. If I can't remember what I read, what is the point of reading at all?"

Mullah smiled and didn't say a word. Instead, he handed the boy an old, filthy coal basket  and said: "I’ll answer you, but first, please fetch me some water from the river with this basket."

The boy looked at the basket with disbelief. "But Mullah, it’s full of holes! It can’t hold water." "Just give it a try," Mullah insisted.

The boy ran to the river, dipped the basket in, and ran back. But of course, the water leaked out before he reached Mullah. "Run faster!" Mullah shouted. The boy ran back and forth, breathless and soaking wet, but every time he returned, the basket was empty.

Finally, the boy threw the basket down in frustration. "This is useless, Mullah! Look, not a single drop stayed inside!"

Mullah calmly pointed to the basket. "Look closer, my son. When you left, that basket was black with soot and dirt. But look at it now. It is clean and like new."

Mullah continued: "Reading books is like water in this basket. You might not hold onto every word, and the ideas might slip through the holes of your memory. But in the process of passing through your mind, they wash away the ignorance and purify your soul. Don't focus on the water you lost; focus on the basket you cleaned."