[Points: What it is—bad effects of depending on others examples—benefits—how to be practised by children.]
Self-help means doing our own work ourselves. No doubt, it is not possible for any man to do all his works himself. So every body has to depend to some extent on other persons. Still the most successful man is he who depends the least on others. There are men who do not exert themselves at all, but will have things done for them. They are like persons walking on crutches, completely at the mercy of the crutches and never able to move fast. They lose their strength of mind and power of physical and mental exertion.
Moreover, everybody has his own work to do, and few people have much time to spare for others. So when we leave a work to be done by others, it is either not done at all, or not done so well as we may expect. In this connection we should remember the story of Hercules and the Carter. The wheels of a cart got so stuck in mud that the horses could not drag them out. The carter now began to pray for help to Hercules. Hercules appeared and told him to put his shoulder to the wheel. The carter did this and the cart moved on. From this has come the saying, 'Put your shoulder to the wheel', that is, one should exert oneself first if one would have a thing done.
If we try to do our own work ourselves, we have the satisfaction that it is not neglected. Even if it is not done well we do not grumble or feel bitter. Moreover, nothing is sweeter than the fruits of our own exertion. People sometimes present to others most ordinary vegetables produced in their own gardens. The prices of the things do not count; it is the fact that they were produced by them with their own hand that matters. Besides, self-help gives self-confidence, develops the faculties, and strengthens the mind and character.
This habit of self-help, like all other habits, should be acquired carly in life. Children should not be given much help in arranging their clothes and books. In their studies also students should not be helped too much. Many have private tutors and help books. The result is their power of independent thinking is not developed and consequently they cannot fare well in the struggle of life. The business of parents and teachers is to guide them, and help them only when they fail.
