EXPANSION OF AN IDEA

 

What is 'EXPANSION OF AN IDEA'?

'Expansion of an idea' is a short composition. You are expected to take the idea embodied in a proverb, an -epigram, a quotation, a saying, a slogan, an idiom or a thought-provoking question and elaborate on it.

In an essay you are expected to write about all aspects of the topic that is given to you. In 'Expansion of an idea, you are expected only to explain what the idea is with the help of a short discussion and illustrations. Here you are expected to write down your thoughts in about 100 to 150 words. You may or may not be given a few points to help you along.

Like an essay, 'Expansion of an idea' should have a proper beginning and an ending. The ideas should flow, one into the other. You may write down your thoughts in Just one paragraph or in two or at the most three. Do not attempt too many paragraphs.

Do not begin your composition by saying, ‘The given proverb means that....’. Let the meaning come through your explanation or discussion or in your summing up.

 

Examples:

A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED

Once it was raining very heavily. It didn’t seem that it would stop. There was no means of transport to my home coming that way. I wondered how I would reach home. A classmate happened by in a car. He asked me to get in and reached me to my home. From that day on he became one of my best friends. Indeed, a friend in need is a friend indeed!

I have found that many people talk about friendship, but when you need them in the time of crisis, somehow they are not to be seen anywhere. Those who stand by you when you are really in trouble are your true friends. It is these people whom you must help when they too are in trouble.

Life is all about being there for others. Life is all about caring and sharing. Do not be taken in by people who talk big and fancy words about friendship. Instead someone who renders you a service is a real friend.

 

CUT YOUR COAT ACCORDING TO YOUR CLOTH

If you give a piece of cloth to a tailor to make a coat, the tailor will first measure the cloth and then decide what kind of coat has to be made out of it. He will not be able to make a coat that requires more material than the cloth provided. The same is the case with our expenses and income. Our expenses should always be within the limits of our income. Otherwise, we will surely land in debt and difficulties. The proverb thus tells us not to spend more than what we earn i.e., to live within our means.

The proverb applies not only to individuals but also to business establishments. Of course, a company may raise a loan to expand or diversify its business. But it must do it judiciously; otherwise it will be in deep trouble. Even the government of a country has to keep in mind its total resources while spending. If it does not do so and goes on borrowing recklessly from banks and foreign countries, it would become bankrupt one day, and put the nation to grief.

The wisdom of the proverb guides everybody to live and work within their means and to avoid possible shame or punishment resulting from living beyond their means.

 

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

A young man sometimes handles a razor blade carelessly, cuts his finger, allows the cut to go septic and, when the pain is unbearable, consults a doctor. The doctor prescribes a prolonged and costly treatment. Would it not have been better for him to have taken due precaution while using the blade? We can always protect ourselves against common ailments and diseases with proper precautionary, preventive measures.

Very often, something within us makes us ignore the possibility of trouble, even after we have seen the first symptoms of trouble. The result, is that the trouble is aggravated and we regret our neglect when it is only too late. The proverb ‘Prevention is better than cure’ advises us to take precaution so that the trouble does not affect us at all.

The proverb has universal application. By preventing a machine, a building, a road, a bridge, and so on from deteriorating by proper maintenance and timely repairs we can avoid any possible disaster. Health authorities should take prompt, quick and effective steps against the outbreak of epidemics and there will be to epidemics resulting in mass misery and extensive remedial measures. Even at the national level, many problems that we are facing today would have been non-existent had the government acted firmly, promptly and boldly at the very start.

The proverb stresses the need for foresight and precaution in dealing with all our problems. This is certainly a lot better than finding remedies later on, which may be costly and give us mental any as well.

WE ARE A PART OF NATURE NOT APART FROM NATURE

In his haste to acquire space for living and business, man very often forgets that he is a part of nature. He builds houses and factories apart from nature, in most of the cases at the expense of nature. Trees are mercilessly cut down and houses, roads and shopping malls are constructed. Flora and fauna disappear resulting in climatic changes. That is why the towns and cities that man makes are known as concrete jungles.

On a class visit to XYZ printing press at Dantali, near Gandhinagar in Gujarat, we were fortunate to see a modern press constructed in harmony with nature. This press, within an area of 40 acres, is India’s most up-to-date printing press. But within its environs there are more than 2000 trees, including fruit trees. There are also about 20 gulangur monkeys, hundreds of squirrels and parrots and nearly a hundred peacocks. We were amazed to see monkeys sitting on the fences or sidewalks while workers went about their work. All the workers contribute towards the grain that is bought to feed these creatures. The air here is the coolest and purest we have ever come across. No sign of pollution is seen anywhere. The place also has a large garden patch with the prettiest of flowers you have ever seen. Nature is the theme at this printing press.

This press impressed upon us the truth that man can live being a part of nature, and not necessarily apart from nature.