Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest week 102: That True Saying.

Hello everyone, hello my beloved Steemians,
Proverbs has played an integral part of my upbringing. My mom usually used it alot on me, most of her words were mostly ended with one or more proverbs. And this Proverbs guided my steps and influences a lot of my actions and association even up till today. That is mostly the reason my heart leaped with joy when I first saw the topic for this week contest, because proverbs and adages are deeply woven into my culture and upbringing. They are not just words to me, but a collection of wisdom that has shaped how I see life. Today, I’ll be sharing my perspective by answering the contest hints.

The Proverb I Believe to Be True:
There are so many Proverbs I believe to be true, and I hold them very dearly to my heart and apply them in my daily life.

One proverb I hold very dear is:

“What an elder sees sitting down, a child cannot see even if he climbs a tallest iroko tree.”

I first heard this from my grandmother while growing up in the village. She always used it whenever I felt stubborn or insisted on doing things my way. At first, I thought it was just one of those old sayings, but with time, I began to see its depth.

Why I Believe It Is True

The truth is, elders have lived longer and experienced more. Their advice comes from knowledge gained through both success and mistakes. For example, I once ignored my mother warning about lending a large sum of money to a friend without proper agreement. I felt I knew better because the friend was close. Sadly, I lost both the money and the friendship. Later, I remembered my grandmother’s words. Truly, what elders see in advance, younger ones may not. We usually rush to conclusion without thinking twice but in our eyes we feel we are making the right decisions.

The second one I will likely love to share is:
Iniok nsang abiabia eti-ido. Meaning; Bad friends corrupt good manners.
There are so many that has really screwed and shape my life.

All this experience made me appreciate the wisdom behind that proverb. It taught me that respecting guidance and listening to advice can save us from avoidable regrets.

Will the Relevance of This Proverb Be Preserved in the Future?

Yes,
Definitely yes, I have once made a post about how we can preserve the richness of our culture and proverbs. Discussing the sad fading away of our culture and Proverbs in this post link :

The Sad Fading Away of the Rich Ibibio Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions

I still believe the relevance of this proverb will last only if parents, guardians, and teachers keep passing it down. In our modern world, where technology and social media often make young people think they know it all, many proverbs are slowly fading. However, the wisdom behind them can never go out of style.

No matter how advanced the world becomes, experience will always remain greater than youthful enthusiasm. If we continue to tell our children these proverbs and show them real-life lessons, they will see their timeless value.

Summary

Proverbs and adages are more than cultural expressions; they are life lessons wrapped in few words. For me, the proverb “What an elder sees sitting down, a child cannot see even if he climbs a tall tree” remains a guiding light. It reminds me of the value of humility, patience, and listening to those who walked the road before me.

I believe that as long as we cherish and pass on these sayings, they will remain treasures for generations yet to come.

Thank you all for reading.