Good day everyone.Iam happy with this week Hive-Reachout Weekly Prompt 42 with the topic "Popular Statement You Don't Agree With"
I Don't Agree With the popular Proverb: “What an Elder Sees While Sitting, a Child Cannot See Even From the Tallest Tree”
There is a popular African proverb that says, "What an elder sees while sitting, a child cannot see even if he climbs the tallest tree." While this saying may have carried weight in the past, I believe it no longer fully applies in today’s world. As someone from Olugwu in Benue State who has travelled and preached in many parts of Nigeria, I have seen and experienced enough to confidently say that this proverb is outdated in many ways.
First of all, grey hair alone is not wisdom. In my community in Benue state and beyond, I have met young people with insights, intelligence and Fear Of God like Joash,Josiah, David in the bible who have understanding far beyond their years. Technology and access to information have empowered the youth in a way that was never possible before. Children today are exposed to ideas, innovations, fear Of God, spiritual matter and global events right from their phones and computers. They are creating change, building solutions, and offering advice that even many elders cannot fully grasp. So when we say that a child cannot “see,” we ignore the reality of how the world has changed.
Gone are the days when age alone was the highest source of wisdom. In fact, some elders hold on to outdated beliefs and traditions that limit progress. Meanwhile, the youth are pushing boundaries, asking bold questions, and seeking new paths forward. I have witnessed children in my village Ichogolugwu and across Nigeria speak with clarity and direction about matters that even elders shy away from. They have the courage to dream big, challenge the norm, and explore possibilities that were once considered impossible.
Moreover, we are all created with the power of choice. Wisdom is not limited by age, but by the choices we make and the perspective we choose to have. Some people never “see” because they choose not to. They close their minds and hearts to learning, whether young or old. Therefore, seeing or understanding something is not about age, but about openness, curiosity, and willingness to grow.
In my outreach to villages and cities and my messages,
I continue to challenge this proverb because it often silences the voice of the young and places unnecessary limits on them. I believe in listening to everyone.Whether they have grey hair or not because everyone has something to offer. Many of the solutions we need today are coming from young minds who dare to think differently. We must encourage that, not suppress it with proverbs that no longer reflect our reality in this generation.
I want to conclude by saying that, while I respect the role of elders in society, I disagree with the idea that they always see more just because they are older. Wisdom is about vision, not just age. If a child climbs the tallest tree and sees further than an elder sitting down, we should be humble enough to admit it. Let us build a community where wisdom is recognized, not by age, but by insight, truth, and impact.
Thank you for reading my blog.