WHAT IS YOUR INTERPRETATION?

"The child that knows how to wash the hands eats with elders".
This proverb sounds very loud in my ear. It scratches the nerves of my ear and knocks my eardrum.
Anytime I hear someone make the comment, my mind thinks twice, even thrice when quick application is not activated.
To me, this proverb has a lot to it. It can have its literal meaning as it reads, it is only when you can wash your hands properly as a child that elders would allow you to eat with them from the same dish.


Meanwhile, it can also mean that an individual can only do what pertains to adults only when he/she has what it takes to be an adult. Another way of saying; "cut your coat according to your size". How can you have a piece of cloth and after sewing you get an oversized or undersized dress or shirt.Obviously, it would be said that the dress or shirt is not your, though it is your personal clothing.


This proverb as well portrays the ability of responsibility in the light of respect. You have to render your responsibility to a task in this life to be called a success. In the same vain, you must show respect to others for them to express their respect to you. You don't expect a waiter to come to your table at a restaurant with any type of food without your request, so it is with respect.Respectful beings are always honoured for the character they portray; but the disrespectful are normally unattracted to people, they lack the trait of honour from others.


My quest for interpretation of the above proverb landed me to a friend who gave her interpretation as "an individuals ability to express wisdom opens the door for elders/older people to approach him/her when solutions are needed for a problem".
There can be thousands of explainations to the pending wise saying above, with its compass point pointing your direction of understanding. It is prudent that you enquire from others their interpretation to this saying, and compare to your personal understanding. If possible, weigh and choose which is deeply interpreted, but the best thing to do is to keep yours as you add the ideas of others to increase and advance your knowledge.
What is your understanding of this wise saying, and how well have you interpreted it to others even to yourself?!!!