Scissor and Needle

I recently received a wonderful illustration about a scissor and a needle, highlighting the importance of “stitching” broken relationships rather than cutting them apart. Since I will share the full message at the end, I won’t repeat it here.

This illustration beautifully emphasizes the value of mending broken relationships. We often need such analogies to teach moral lessons, especially to the younger generation. However, every illustration has its limitations and one central theme. If we stretch an analogy beyond its intended scope by overanalyzing details, we risk losing the core message.

That being said, as I reflected on this illustration, I realized there is another, more practical side to it. From my experience with cross-stitching and observing tailors, I’ve noticed that, in reality, scissors are more important to a tailor than a needle. A tailor may place a needle in a turban or a needle cushion, not because of the needle’s noble role in stitching, but because if it falls, it’s difficult to find among scraps of cloth. Both my mother and I have to sweep the floor weekly to recover lost needles. In contrast, the scissor, no matter where it’s kept, is easy to retrieve.

No tailor would keep a scissor near their feet but always on the table for easy access, avoiding the hassle of bending down to look for it. In India, during Ayudha Puja, a Hindu tailor would likely perform the ritual for the scissor, not the needle. Scissors are precious and often not lent out to others, even to family members, for fear they may be damaged. On the other hand, needles are freely given.

Moreover, a needle can only do its job well if the scissors have done theirs first. If a tailor cuts fabric randomly, no matter how skilled they are at stitching, the final product will not meet expectations. A fashion designer might make random cuts for creative runway designs, but a typical tailor cannot, and would not, do that.

Sometimes, it is better to use the scissor wisely to trim or correct relationships that others may take for granted, rather than always trying to stitch and mend. Just as you cannot use new fabric to patch an old cloth without damaging both, not all relationships can be repaired by simple mending.

While the illustration of the scissor and needle offers a valuable moral lesson, in the practical world of tailoring, scissors hold more significance than needles. This applies universally. You can’t cut open a milk packet with a needle, nor can you patch a balloon or hot water bottle with one. The utility of an object lies not in its material, but in how we use it and for what purpose.

At the same time, there is always room for moral lessons from such illustrations.

Parable of The Tailor’s Needle*

A tailor was at work. 

He took a piece of cloth and with a pair of shining, costly, scissors, he cut the cloth into various bits. 

Then he put the pair of scissors at his feet. 

Then he took a small needle and thread and started to sew the bits of cloth, into a fine shirt. 

When the spell of sewing was over, he stuck the needle on to his turban. 

The tailor’s son who was watching it asked him: 

“Father, the scissors are costly and look so beautiful. But you throw them down at your feet. 

This needle is worth almost nothing; you can get a dozen for an anna. 

Yet, you place it carefully on your head itself. 

Is there any reason for this illogical behaviour?”

“Yes, my son. 

The scissors have their function, no doubt; but they only cut the cloth into bits. 

The needle, on the contrary, unites the bits and enhances the value of the cloth. 

Therefore, the needle to me is more precious and valuable. 

The value of a thing depends on its utility, son, not on its cost-price or appearance.”

Similarly, there are two classes of people in the world—those who create dissensions and disharmony, who separate man from man; and those who bring about peace and harmony, who unite people. 

The former are generally the rich people, powerful politicians and kings; the latter are generally the poor devotees of God, the penniless wandering monks, and mendicants. 

The Lord makes use of both to carry on his function of providing the field for the evolution of individual souls. 

He throws down on the dust the mighty kings and millionaires who create wars and disharmony; and He keeps the poor, pious devotee over His own head. 

In His eyes the scale of values is entirely different!