"But I Do": A Lesson from George Bernard Shaw on a Rainy Night Drive

The weekend took an unexpected turn during my recent travel to my native town of Kumbakonam. I had engaged a travel car for the journey, and my return trip to Bangalore commenced around 6 PM on Sunday. As the evening dimmed into darkness and a torrential rain began to fall, visibility reduced dramatically.

Driving safely yet steadily, our professional driver found himself challenged by a truck rapidly closing in from behind, its horn honking in the rhythm of impatience. This truck driver's audacity initially irked my driver, resulting in a tense episode of vehicular standoff. Eventually, finally based on my persuasion my driver chose the path of patience and moved onto the shoulder lane near a gas station, permitting the truck to pass.

Ungratefully, the truck driver advanced, blocking our path and launching into an unprovoked torrent of abuse. This disrespectful act upset my driver, but I encouraged him to maintain his composure and ignore the provocateur. We soon resumed our journey on the highway, leaving the unpleasant incident behind.

About 15 minutes later, we were met with a traffic jam. The cause of it? The same impatient truck was overturned, the driver critically injured and awaiting an ambulance. This sight served as a stark reminder of a profound truth: In life, it's less about proving who's right and more about preserving lives.

The incident mirrored a classic encounter between the legendary opposites, George Bernard Shaw and Gilbert Keith Chesterton. They found themselves in a standoff in a narrow London alley, each refusing to give way to the other. It was Shaw who first stepped aside, allowing Chesterton to pass. As he did so, Chesterton stated arrogantly, "I don't give way to fools." Shaw retorted with his timeless wit, "But I do."

Shaw's famous response, echoed in our decision to yield, serves as a reminder of the strength found in patience and wisdom. At times, choosing to yield is not a sign of weakness, but a testament to one's strength and wisdom. Life's journey isn't about who is louder or more aggressive, but about who is wiser and more patient in the face of adversity.