Age: 19
Date of performance: 02/20/2025
Language: English
Nationality: American
Occupation: Student
Primary Language: English
Title- Chop Wood and Carry Water
Context- C is a student studying Behavioral Economics. He shares with me a saying his Irish grandfather, Pap Pap, tells him and his family through school or in fitness for any challenging times—“Chop Wood and Carry Water”. C says “it means to focus fully on the present moment by diligently performing even mundane tasks, and taking everything one step at a time. It’s a process, not overnight”.
Analysis- In folklore, proverbs are short and fixed metaphorical phrases that carry a general truth or give advice. C shared a proverb that circulates within his family– “Chop Wood and Carry Water”. This phrase can be considered a proverb as it is short and reverses the typical structure of a proverb of the topic followed by a comment. I believe that this proverb, as C mentioned, can be applied to trying times such as pursuing education or participating in a physically draining activity. In times where I may lose motivation to carry on with my studies or tidy up around the house, I’ll make sure to think of C & his family when I think to myself to ‘Chop Wood and Carry Water’.