IF WISHES WERE FISHES by: Dr.Emmanuel Moore ABOLO

The seasons of wishes are here again!

 I took time off last week to listen to the song of Eric Bogle with the above title. If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches.

 This saying has several recapitulations, the earliest of which was published in William Camden’s 1605 Old English Remaines of a Greater Worke, Concerning Britaine. This work contained the phrase “If wishes were thrushes beggars would eat birds.”

 This was followed in 1628 by the slightly different variation, “and wishes were horses, pure [poor] men wald [would] ride,” included in Proverbs of the Scots, credited to James Carmichael.

 This poetic and pleasing sound pattern makes this proverb sound almost like a tongue twister. But this is beside the point.

 A wish is a blind hope for something without taking steps to achieve it. I think it is foolish [ permit my choice of word] to wish for things without taking action to achieve them. And many engage in this ritual every now and then.

 In many ways, the proverb is a reminder to be appreciative of  what one already has, which is the opportunity to work, rather than wish languidly for things one doesn’t have.

 It’s time to move on to the stage of giving love, hope backed up with real action to help a fellow man/woman. Let us not allow ourselves to be buried in the rubbles of wishes.

 Nigerians and, indeed, all humanity need true love. Enough of empty wishes that are valueless and devoid of action. Time for action is NOW.

 I come in peace.