Question

Choose the correct meaning of the given proverb:
The early bird catches the worm.
a)Life is a race, you must hurry.
b)If you want to succeed, you should start work as soon as you get it.
c)Birds have a keen sense of competition with one another.
d)Worms can be seen only early mornings, so one needs to wake up early.

Answer 1

Hint: Proverbs are short sayings that hold life morals and values. They have hidden meanings that convey life lessons.

Complete step-by-step answer:

The given proverb means that someone who is early in doing something will also get the benefits of the work done or will achieve success from the work done, equally early. Anyone who is lazy and delays work, will never get any success from that work. Thus, the correct answer is option b, that is, if you want to succeed, you should start work as soon as you get it. It signifies a hard-working person. Hard-working people always achieve success.
Option a is wrong because the proverb does not talk about life being a race. Doing your work as soon as you get it and hurrying with work are different things.
Option c is incorrect because the proverb is not literally talking about birds. The bird has been used as an example.
Option d is also incorrect because the given proverb is not talking about worms at all. The ‘worm’ in the proverb is referring to the fruits of success that a person can get if they do their work in time.

Note: While option a in the given question may seem correct, it is not correct because the difference between option a and the actual meaning of the proverb is that ‘Life is a race, you must hurry’ it is telling us to rush through with our work. The actual meaning of the proverb says that when you get work, do not put it off for the next day. If you take opportunities as they come, you will be rewarded.