PMS Ministerial Solved Essays | A Bird in Hand is Worth Two in the Bush
This PMS Ministerial essay is attempted by Wafa Zainab on the given pattern, which Sir Syed Kazim Ali teaches to his students, who have consistently been qualifying their CSS, and PMS essays. Sir Syed Kazim Ali has been Pakistan’s top English writing and CSS, PMS essay and precis coach with the highest success rate of his students. The essay is uploaded to help other competitive aspirants learn and practice essay writing techniques and patterns.
How To Attempt 25-Marks PMS Ministerial Essay?
Unlike CSS or PMS essays, the essays asked in the PMS ministerial or any descriptive examinations in Pakistan are of 25-marks. All you need to qualify for the PMS ministerial essay paper is to understand the topic, create an outline displaying the proper plan of your essay and write an introduction precisely carrying the thesis statement. An introductory paragraph of such essays is a 150- to 200-word paragraph that gives your examiner a quick overview of your essay and its organization. It should express your thesis (or central idea) and your key points. Remember, the introductory paragraph is a concise summary of the essay, upon which your success standstill. However, the body of your essay will develop and explain these ideas much more thoroughly. As you will see in the solved essay below, the proportion of your introduction that you dedicate to each kind of information and the sequence of that information might vary, depending on the nature and genre of the essay you select. Nevertheless, in some cases, some of this information is implied rather than stated explicitly. For better preparation, revise my lectures on how to attempt a 20 or 25 marks essay, write its outline and introduction and prove your arguments with relevant evidence in the essay’s body paragraphs.
Outline
1- Introduction
In a world that fuels the insatiability of human nature, the proverb ‘A bird in hand is worth two in the bush’ serves as a reminder that prudent appreciation of what one already possesses is greater than the allure of uncertain future possibilities by offering its wisdom in various aspects of life, ranging from personal lives to global politics.
2- Deconstructing the meaning of the proverb ‘A Bird in Hand is Worth Two in the Bush.’
3- Why is it wiser to cherish what one already possesses rather than pursuing uncertain gains, making the adage “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush” holds true?
- From a perspective of individual growth
- ✓ Leading to contentment and satisfaction in life
- Case in point: Bhutan’s prioritization of its indigenous values over material wealth making it one of the happiest nations in the world
- From a social perspective
- ✓ Fostering social harmony and helping avoid feelings of jealousy and envy
- Case in point: Europe’s shift from expansionism to contentment after WWII resulting in peace, stability, and the formation of the European Union (EU)
- From an economic perspective
- ✓ Encouraging judicious utilization and improvement of existent resources
- Case in point: Warren Buffett’s investment strategy of ‘value investing’ earning him remarkable economic gains with consistent growth and profitability
- From a political perspective
- ✓ Promoting a sense of long-term stability and security
- Case in point: Pakistan’s long-standing alliance with China serving as a ‘bird in hand’ approach for the country’s socio-political development
- From an environmental perspective
- ✓ Nurturing a sustainable environment and reducing the need for excessive consumption
- Case in point: The Germany Renewable Energy Project 2050, helping the optimal exploitation of earth’s natural resources to promote an eco-friendly energy system
- From a health perspective
- ✓ Cultivating healthy lifestyle choices for both physical and mental well-being
- Case in point: Preventive healthcare methods protecting the onset of various diseases
- From an educational perspective
- ✓ Allowing a thoughtful approach to decision-making, as one is less likely to take unnecessary risks.
- Case in point: Resourceful career choices, aligned with current skills and strengths, helping a student master the profession and capitalize on it
5- Critical Analysis: the pursuit of ambivalence
6- Conclusion
A human being is an insatiable creature who constantly seeks new adventures to gratify his need for growth and fulfilment. His innate desire to achieve more drives him forward, pushing him to attain unsurmountable heights. However, the unquenchable thirst for novelty also results in his downfall, leading him to the reckless pursuit of the unknown and disregarding current possessions. The proverb ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’ speaks to this human tendency and serves as a reminder that prudent appreciation of what one already possesses is greater than the allure of uncertain future possibilities. Despite its ancient origins, the adage stands the test of time and continues to hold the same relevance as ever. It takes on a holistic approach to life, encompassing every aspect, ranging from personal lives and societal interactions to the economy, politics, and environment. For instance, contentment keeps an individual happy and creates social harmony. Likewise, economically, it encourages the optimal utilization of existing resources, and in the political realm, it offers long-term stability and security. Therefore, a person needs to maintain self-control and be complacent with what he has, for ‘he who is not satisfied with a little is satisfied with nothing.’ This essay explores the nuances of this proverb and explains how its wisdom is applied to various facets of life.
“The wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.”
Seneca (The famous Stoic philosopher of Ancient Rome)
Although the proverb has its roots in ancient literature of the world, it is thought to have been popularized in the 14th century, when Geoffery Chaucer mentioned it in his magnum opus, The Canterbury Tales. Through its universal imagery, it conveys the message of prudence and caution; the bird in hand symbolizes current possessions that are certain and secure, whereas the other two in the bush represent the potential for mightier gains. Nevertheless, the temptation to catch those birds involves taking unnecessary risks, resulting in the ultimate loss of all three birds. Therefore, it is better to have a lesser but certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may lead to nothing, as the grass is not always greener on the other side. In short, the axiom serves as both a guideline to cherish the present and a cautionary warning against the dangers of greed. Rightly has Confucius said,
“The man who chases two rabbits, catches neither.”
Having deconstructed the statement’s meaning, it is now pertinent to shed light on why is it wiser to adopt complacency over hypothetical advantages. To begin with, appreciation of the present, at the outset, affects the individual lives of people by cultivating a sense of contentment and satisfaction. It encourages gratitude and appreciation for what one has, leading to increased happiness and success. To illustrate, Bhutan, under its Gross National Happiness Index, prioritizes its indigenous values over material wealth. Consequently, the country has been able to create a sustainable, fulfilling way of life, making itself one of the happiest nations in the world. Thus, the secret of happiness is not found in seeking more but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. In the words of Plato,
“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.”
Second, cherishing belongings fosters social harmony and helps avoid feelings of jealousy and envy. When individuals appreciate what they have, they tend to prioritize building meaningful relationships and contributing to their communities, thereby avoiding potential conflicts and dissatisfaction. An example of this can be seen in the aftermath of the Second World War in Europe, where countries shifted their focus from expansionism to contentment with their current resources. This led to a period of peace and stability across the continent, culminating in the formation of the European Union (EU). Today, European countries continue to work collaboratively and lead the world in many areas, demonstrating the benefits of prioritizing gratitude over materialism.
Read more
| 1- | A bird in hand is worth two in the bush – Wafa Zainab |
| 2- | A bird in hand is worth two in the bush – Bilal Ahmad |
Next, the proverb also fits well in the economic realm by promoting responsible spending and financial management. Through judicious investment into resourceful utilization of existing resources and opportunities, individuals achieve greater success without succumbing to a cycle of fleeting desires. Warren Buffett, a renowned business magnate, exemplifies this principle through his investment strategy of ‘value investing.’ Instead of pursuing the latest trends, he invests in established companies with a proven track record of success. This ‘bird in hand’ approach enables him to enjoy long-term and consistent profitability, earning him the reputation of one of the world’s richest men. Hence, respecting one’s possessions motivates him to make the most of them and reap remarkable rewards. Aptly has Socrates commented,
“Better a little which is well done, than a great deal imperfectly.”
Along with it, the political sphere also adheres to the principles of contentment to achieve stability and security by focusing on those frameworks that are proven to work for the state rather than experimenting with untested ideas. One pragmatic instance of this approach is personified in Pakistan’s strategic alliance with China, which has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy for several decades. By strengthening the bilateral relations, Islamabad has built a reliable partnership with Beijing that has helped promote its economic development and security while simultaneously mitigating the risks and complexities associated with pursuing other potential allies that may not share mutual interests. In brief, sticking to the tried-and-true serves as an effective tool for countries to secure long-term stability in the globalized world.
Besides, in the environmental dimension, the proverb manifests itself in the form of a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle. Its concept is frequently used for environmental conservation and protection methods, where the emphasis lies on the exploitation of earth’s natural resources in substitution of artificial and potentially harmful practices detrimental to the environment. For instance, Germany’s renewable energy project 2050 focuses on the consumption of regenerative energy resources like wind, water, solar power, biofuels, etc. By investing in green infrastructure and technology, the country has not minimized its dependence on imported fossil fuels but has also nurtured a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly energy system. Thus, along with socioeconomic advantages, valuing natural assets is equally beneficial for the planet.
Furthermore, the perception of health is also influenced by the universal wisdom of the aphorism. The sense of acknowledging the current situation not only serves as a guideline but also as a warning to mend one’s ways of life by cultivating healthier life choices rather than pursuing quick-fix solutions or fad diets. To explain, by following preventive measures, like a healthy diet, regular exercise, meditation etc., a person escapes the dangers of diseases. Similarly, it also positively impacts mental health by compelling people to accept themselves for who they are and stop seeking external validation, promoting a healthy sense of self-love and self-esteem. Therefore, the bird-in-hand approach to health profoundly protects one’s current well-being.
Last but not least, the proverb also casts shadows on the educational and professional aspects of life. By recognizing their strengths, skills and interests, individuals develop a sense of decision-making, which leverages them to make judicious decisions without falling prey to academic dysphoria. Susan M. Johnston in her book ‘The Career Adventure’ highlights the notion by stating, ‘A student who is appreciative of his current circumstances is likely to make an astute career choice and capitalize on it, instead being a jack of all trades and a master of none.’ Thus, laying a strong foundation and establishing oneself as an expert in a particular area is more beneficial than overextending oneself and taking on profuse academic pursuits at once. To sum up in John D. Rockefeller’s words,
“Do not be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
In the critical diagnosis, the principles of the proverb have proved to be quite helpful in promoting a successful life; nonetheless, it is important to acknowledge that human nature is inherently insatiable, and the temptation for more is often fueled by the innate desire for greed and accumulation. In addition to this, extreme complacency can lead to stagnation of thought processes and a lack of improvement or progress. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between smugness and ambition, following the middle path of ambivalence. This involves cultivating a healthy and balanced mindset, where one is content with what he already possesses but also motivated to improve upon their current situation. To borrow from Robert Greene’s speech,
“Ambition is the fuel that drives us forward, but it must be tempered with wisdom and perspective.”
To encapsulate the debate, the adage ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’ is a poignant reminder of the value of being pragmatic and cautious in life. It encourages people to treasure the present moment and take stock of what they already have, rather than trailing after uncertain opportunities that may never come to fruition. With its ubiquitous message of restraint and vigilance, it resonates with people across all walks of life, be it personal fulfilment, societal harmony, economic stability, political prudence, environmental conservation, or educational decisions. Contrarily, opting for the opposite course of incertitude could result in a life full of dangers, culminating in eventual collapse. Hence, both individuals and societies should pursue a life of contentment to secure a promising future and prevent potential disillusionment.
PMS Ministerial Solved Past Papers’ Essays
Are you searching for PMS Ministerial solved essays from 2010 to till date? Click on any of the topics to start reading the solved essays. All essays have been attempted by Sir Syed Kazim Ali’s students who have either qualified for the CSS or PMS examination or scored the highest marks in the essay papers.
| 1- | Good Governance (2010) |
| 2- | Islam and Brotherhood of Mankind (2010) |
| 3- | Literature is the Essence of Life (2010) |
| 4- | Role of Responsible Media (2010) |
| 5- | A Bird in Hand is Worth Two in the Bush (2016) |
| 6- | He Who Opens a School Door, Closes a Prison (2016) |
| 7- | Local Government is the Base of a Successful Democratic System (2016) |
| 8- | Clean Environment is Good Environment (2016) |
| 9- | Human Resource Development is a Key to Progress and Prosperity (2019) |
| 10- | High Growth Rate in Population is Adversely Affecting our Economic Progress (2019) |
| 11- | Public School System in Pakistan (2019) |
| 12- | Importance of Preventive Healthcare (2019) |
| 13- | National Integration (2021) |
| 14- | Of All Forms of Servitude, the Intellectual is the Most Degrading. Expand This Statement by Showing its Complete Significance and also Attempt to Justify or Disprove it. (2021) |
| 15- | Advantages and Disadvantage of Facebook (2021) |
| 16- | Single National Curriculum: Prospects and Problems (2021) |
CSS Solved Past Papers’ Essays
Looking for the last ten years of CSS and PMS Solved Essays and want to know how Sir Kazim’s students write and score the highest marks in the essays’ papers? Then, click on the CSS Solved Essays to start reading them.
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