narrative essay on make hay while the sunshine

English Short Essay on “Make Hay While the Sun Shines” English Paragraph/Speech for Class 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 CBSE Students and competitive Examination.

Make Hay While the Sun Shines

Essay No. 01

Nature has a holy plan, said William Wordsworth, Night follows the day; and winter follows autumn. When spring comes it will be pleasant everywhere, nature putting on a new garb; trees blooming swarms of bees and butterflies hopping from flower to flower and collecting the nectar. When once the spring goes, and winter comes, there cannot be this riot of colours and the joy of beauty, certainly not for months to come. If the bee misses this spring and fails to collect the nectar, its larder should remain empty.

So, we must make hay while the sun shines. When the sky is overcast with clouds or when there is heavy downpour, we cannot make hay. We can make it only when there is sunshine. We can strike only when the iron is hot. When the iron becomes cold, there is no use of striking it, however hard it may be. So, we must do things only at the right time. If once we postpone, only regrets will remain.

Procrastination is the thief of the time. We feel complacent and postpone things. We keep the motto ‘Do it now’ on the table before us; but we don’t do it now’. A little delay does not matter, we tell ourselves and postpone. Finally it becomes our trait and we fail miserably in life. As students we cannot pass well in our examination, as freshers we fail to secure proper placements, as adults, we lag behind in the race and finally when we grow old and weak, there will be nothing that we will be able to do then. We might wish for another lease of life, but that is called day dreaming.

Therefore what is needed is to understand the holy plan of nature, comprehend the rhythm with which time moves, and adjust our actions and activities accordingly. Only Mohammad should go to the mountain; the mountain will never come to Him. Often we don’t realize this and as a result, if things go wrong, we blame our fate or God. But that does not serve any purpose. For, God helps those who help themselves.

Birds and animals understand this principle much better than man. Bees collect honey and store it in their hives for the lean months; birds which cannot put up with the devastating cold conditions migrate to warm sunny regions long before the cold sets in. even creatures like frogs migrate to better water homes before the hot summer winds dry up their little water pools. Only man, perhaps, because of his superior intelligence, does give much thought to this problem, thinks that he can meet any contingency that may arise and postpones things and wants to make hay in winter. It is true he has enough technology to make hay even at dead of night or while it is pouring down outside. But the extra maneuverability should give him extra sense of confidence to do it better and certainly not to give him in to procrastination. There are many things like disease and natural calamities that need immediate attention. When finally old age seizes and we become invalid there could be nothing but misery and regrets awaiting us. There would be none to save you then, so, pray to God from now on, said the sage Sankara.

Essay No. 02

The proverb means that we should make use of an opportunity. Those who miss a favourable chance have to repent afterwards. The literal meaning of this proverb is that we should dry the grass when the sun is shining brightly. There is time for everything. There is time for the students to study, time for the traders to buy goods and time for the farmers to sow the fields. A job done at the right time is always useful. After partition, a large number of people came to Delhi from Pakistan. They bought plots. The value of those plots went on rising and they have become men of lakhs now. Others who missed the -chance are repenting now. Therefore, we should always remember that we should make the best use of an opportunity

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Essay, Paragraph, Speech on “Make hay while the sun shines” Complete English Essay for Class 8, 9, 10, 12 Students.

Make hay while the sun shines.

We should make full use of our opportunities. Those of us who do the right things at the right time have better chances to be successful in life than those who do not. Though there are enough opportunities for all of us, there are not too many to serve the needs of each, forever. It is, therefore, natural that periods of fortune and misfortune will occur in our lives in turns. But, if we use favorable times to prepare ourselves to meet our needs in times of misfortune, we can achieve a balance in life that will keep us healthy and happy. We shall never be happy in life if we fail to handle good and bad times with equanimity, each to the advantage of the other.

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Make Hay While the Sun Shines

The idiom Make hay while the sun shines has an agricultural origin and refers to the production of hay after a harvest. The sun’s warmth dries up the wheat stalks and turns them into hay, which can rot if it gets wet again. The meaning of the proverb is to take advantage of favorable circumstances, as they may not last indefinitely. It applies to everyone, regardless of age or gender, and can be seen in everyday situations, such as studying for exams or prioritizing tasks. The Latin proverb ‘Carpe Diem’ or ‘seize the day’ means the same thing. Life is short, and we must make the most of the opportunities that present themselves to us.

The phrase “Make hay while the sun shines” originated from farming, originally stated as “when the sun shineth, make hay.” It refers to the practice of making hay after a harvest. Sunlight’s warmth is essential in drying out wheat stalks and converting them into hay. If wet again, dry hay will start decaying. Due to unpredictable weather conditions, it is vital to take advantage of sunny days for drying the hay.

The proverb underscores the significance of taking advantage of an opportunity to finish a task while it is still possible, acknowledging that favorable circumstances may not last forever. Many people have a tendency to procrastinate and postpone tasks, only to discover that conditions have altered and the task is no longer achievable. This proverb applies universally, without considering age or gender.

During regular school days, some students often procrastinate studying which leads to feelings of anxiety and stress as exams approach. However, a small group of students consistently devote time to studying and remain calm during exam periods. These diligent students make sure to allocate sufficient time for revision and come prepared for the exams. Similarly, homemakers have numerous tasks to complete but despite their efforts, certain tasks are left unfinished. In these situations, it becomes essential to effectively prioritize these tasks.

It is important to prioritize the task at hand and avoid distractions, even when receiving a phone call from a friend while in the middle of paying a bill. While it may be tempting to have a conversation, it is crucial to promptly complete the bill payment before the counter closes for the day. This situation highlights the significance of taking appropriate action at the right time in order to achieve desired outcomes. The Latin proverb ‘Carpe Diem’ or ‘seize the day’ embodies this concept. Similarly, a goldsmith must seize an opportunity to work with hot gold if they wish to shape it into a beautiful ornament.

When there is heavy rain, drying clothes becomes impossible. We must wait for sunlight to do the job, so we should be alert and seize this opportunity when it arises. Time is limited, and we should make the most of opportunities that come our way, whether they are related to work or leisure activities, seeking forgiveness or offering forgiveness. Avoid procrastination and act while the sun is still shining upon you.

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Make hay while the sun shines.

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. » Expansion of Ideas » Make Hay While The Sun Shines

Expansion of an Idea – “Make Hay While The Sun Shines” fot Students / Teachers / Parents

Here we explore the rich tapestry of proverbial wisdom. One of the most valuable lessons we can learn is embodied in the phrase “Make Hay While The Sun Shines” – take advantage of opportunities while they last. Our collection of proverbs offers students a deeper understanding of their meaning and perspective, enabling them to apply them effectively in their school life and beyond. With our guidance, you can seize every opportunity and achieve your full potential. Join us today and start your journey towards success.

• Make Hay While The Sun Shines

The proverb “Make hay while the sun shines” is an idiom that encourages individuals to seize the opportunities that come their way, and to take advantage of favorable circumstances before they pass by. This proverb is rooted in the agricultural practice of harvesting crops when the weather is conducive to ensure maximum yield.

In a broader sense, the proverb emphasizes the importance of being proactive, resourceful, and diligent in life. It encourages individuals to be mindful of the opportunities that are available to them and to take action while they can. Waiting for the perfect moment or procrastinating can often result in missed opportunities and regret.

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The meaning and origin of the expression: Make hay while the sun shines

Make hay while the sun shines

• The natural world
• The proverbs of John Heywood

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Make hay while the sun shines'?

Make the most of one's opportunities while you have the chance.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Make hay while the sun shines'?

Whan the sunne shinth make hay. Whiche is to say. Take time whan time cometh, lest time steale away.

A similar notion is expressed in The Bible, in Proverbs 10:5 :

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

English translations of The Bible don't use the expression 'make hay while the sun shines' and they didn't appear until after 1546 anyway. If the person who coined the proverb in English was copying an idea from earlier versions of The Bible we can't be sure of. What we can say is that, as far as English is concerned, the phrase originated in Tudor England.

Of course, medieval farmers would be as well aware of the wisdom of not leaving it too late to gather one's hay. Modern machinery and weather forecasting make haymaking reasonably quick and stress-free. Tudor farmers would have taken several days to cut, dry and gather their hay and would have had only folk rhymes like ' red sky at night ' to guide them. Forecasting the weather two or three says in advance wouldn't have been possible, so all the more reason for them to 'make hay while the sun shines'.

The proverb, like all proverbs, was extended to life in general and it quickly became a cliche. As early as 1673 it was cited in a figurative, that is, non-farming, context, in Richard Head's glossary of the language of theives and beggars The Canting Academy :

She ... was resolv'd ... to make Hay whilest the Sun shin'd.

See also: the List of Proverbs .

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

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Wonder of the Day #297

Why Do We Say "Make Hay While the Sun Shines"?

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Have You Ever Wondered...

• Why do you say “make hay while the sun shines"?
• What is a proverb?
• How do you “seize the day"?
• opportunity ,

Have you ever been told to "make hay while the sun shines"? What does that even mean? You might not even be a farmer! Why would you want to make hay? And what does sunshine have to do with it?

“Make hay while the sun shines" is an old saying that's considered a proverb . A proverb is an old, usually short saying that communicates good advice or something true.

If you make hay while the sun shines, it means that you take advantage of the chance to do something while conditions are good. In other words, you make good use of your time or make the most of an opportunity while you have the chance.

The saying has been around for hundreds of years. It first appeared in 1546 in John Heywood's A dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the prouerbes in the Englishe tongue . Experts believe the phrase came from medieval English farmers.

Hundreds of years ago, it would take many days for farmers to cut, dry and gather hay. Today, it's much easier to make hay because of our modern machinery and weather forecasting.

Since hay can be ruined easily if it gets too wet, medieval farmers had to take advantage of hot, dry, sunny weather to cut and gather hay. Thus, “make hay while the sun shines" was just a matter of common sense to them.

They eventually began to use the phrase generally to mean to take advantage of circumstances before the chance slips away.

This proverb , like so many others, offers good advice . Opportunities may only come along every so often.

It's good to take stock of a situation and realize when an opportunity presents itself. If you can act on it before it slips away, you'll have made hay while the sun shone!

A similar idea can be communicated by the Latin phrase carpe diem , which is usually translated as “ seize the day." Those who use this phrase stress that the future is uncertain.

Since one never knows what the future may hold, take advantage of those opportunities that present themselves today. Make every second count!

Wonder What's Next?

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Ready to seize the moment? What opportunities are available to you today? Spend some time today thinking about how you can best make use of your time.

Even better, do some planning for the future. Can you come up with five ideas of things you could do to take advantage of these “opportunities"?

If you came up with some really good ideas for how best to use your time in these situations, email or send them to us. We'd love to share them with others!

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Good question!  It doesn't seem like Heywood invented it, he was just the first to record in writing.  Like a lot of common expressions, it can be very hard to trace back to one single person as the originator.  Pretty fascinating to wonder what phrases are being developed now that will last for hundreds of years!

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'Make Hay While the Sun Shines': Definition, Meaning, Examples

If anyone's ever told you to 'make hay while the sun shines,' you've probably wondered what it meant. And with good reason. But don't worry; in this article, you'll learn the meaning of this popular idiom, its origins, and how to use it in a sentence.

If you just want the short version, here it is:

• To make hay while the sun shines means to take advantage of favorable conditions to accomplish something. 

What Does 'Make Hay While the Sun Shines' Mean?

This expression is an idiom , and the thing about idioms is you can't interpret them literally. We aren't talking about actual hay or any sort of farming practice here; there's a metaphorical meaning.

The phrase "make hay while the sun shines" is an idiom that means to take advantage of the favorable conditions or opportunities that are currently available. The underlying message is to be proactive and make use of the advantageous conditions while they last.

Imagine, for example, that you've been thinking about buying a house, and the mortgage interest rates have recently decreased to an all-time low. You might say:

I don't know how long the interest rates will stay this way; I'd better make hay while the sun shines and get on the proeperty ladder now.

You can change the verb form because there's a verb in this idiom ('make'), although this isn't as common.

For example:

• makes (third-person singular)
• making ( present participle )
• made (past participle)

Where Does 'Make Hay While the Sun Shines' Come From?

The idiom 'Make hay while the sun shines' has agricultural origins and is rooted in the practice of making hay. The expression dates back to medieval times, and its usage can be traced to farming communities where haymaking was a crucial part of agricultural life.

The literal meaning of the phrase is tied to the process of haymaking. Farmers would cut grass to make hay, but the success of this activity heavily depended on weather conditions. The cut grass needed to dry quickly to produce good-quality hay, and sunny weather was essential. Rain or damp conditions could ruin the hay, making it moldy or less nutritious for livestock.

As you can imagine, as soon as the sun showed its face, farmers would rush to the fields to 'make hay while the sun shines' since they didn't know how long the favorable weather would last.

In print, it first appeared in John Heywood's A dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the prouerbes in the Englishe tongue , a 1546 publication.

Examples in Sentences

Now that we've covered the meaning of this idiom and its origins, here are some example sentences that use it.

As I mentioned, it can occasionally be used with different verb forms; I'll also show you examples, including the third-person singular , present participle, and past participle .

Recognizing the lucrative market conditions, the savvy entrepreneur makes hay while the sun shines by launching a new product line. Realizing that her energy levels were high and motivation was strong, Emily decided to make hay while the sun shines and tackle all her pending tasks. The team recognized the opportunity to secure a major client, and they were determined to make hay while the sun shines by presenting a compelling proposal. Knowing that interest rates were low, the couple decided to make hay while the sun shines and buy their dream house before conditions changed. The student understood the importance of focused study sessions during exam season, deciding to make hay while the sun shines and maximize his preparation. The team is diligently working on their project, making hay while the sun shines, as they believe that the current favorable conditions in the industry won't last forever. Seeing the beautiful weather forecast for the weekend, the family planned a spontaneous picnic, deciding to make hay while the sun shines. Recognizing the potential for advancement, Sarah worked diligently on her projects, eager to make hay while the sun shines and impress her superiors. The coach encouraged the team to push harder during the crucial game, emphasizing the need to make hay while the sun shines and secure their spot in the playoffs. The wise investor made hay while the sun shines, selling his stocks at their peak value before the market took a downturn.

Other Ways to Say 'Make Hay While the Sun Shines'

There are plenty of other ways to tell someone to make the most of a situation. They 're great to use if you're looking for alternative phrases. A lot of these are also idioms in their own right. The most common one you may already know is the famous Latin saying Carpe Diem,  which means 'Seize the day.'

Here are a few more:

• Strike while the iron is hot.
• Make the most of an opportunity.
• Make good use of your time/resources.
• Catch the tide.
• Time and tide wait for no man.
• Make use of every opportunity.
• Make the best of a situation.
• Jump at the chance.
• Grasp the opportunity.

Concluding Thoughts

That concludes this article about this popular idiom. To summarize, when someone tells you to 'make hay while the sun shines,' they're giving you good advice. They want to encourage you to make use of a good opportunity while you can.

Are you ready to learn more English phrases and expand your vocabulary? Check out our idioms blog for idioms, expressions, sayings, and more!  

Learn More:

• 'Hit the Hay': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Give Someone The Cold Shoulder': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Keep Your Chin Up': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Let Sleeping Dogs Lie’: Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Tie the Knot': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Give the Benefit of the Doubt': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Hold Your Horses': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'In the Nick of Time': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Keep Your Eyes Peeled': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Straight from the Horse's Mouth': Definition, Meaning, Examples
• 'Play Your Cards Right': Definition, Meaning, Examples
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• 'Practice Makes Perfect': Definition, Meaning, Examples

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Why do we say "Make hay while the sun shines"?

Well-known expressions, make hay while the sun shines.

Take full advantage of an opportunity before it passes

Background:

This expression, which alludes to the drying of grass for animal feed, is first recorded in English in Alexander Barclay's Ship of Fools .  Ship of Fools , originally written by the distinguished humanist Sebastian Brant in 1494 and published in German as Narrenschiff , satirizes examples of contemporary folly.  It was one of the most successful published works of its age and is often cited as one of the first "international bestsellers". Alexander Barclay adapted it into English as The Ship of Folys of the Worlde in 1509.  The work's comic woodcuts, commonly attributed to Albrecht Dürer of Nuremberg, are a key part of its popularity.  Sample illustrations can be seen at the University of Glasgow's website . The full text and illustrations are available at Project Gutenberg .

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451 Words Short Essay on make Hay While the Sun Shines

Hay is grass cut and dried for use as animal food. The proverb exhorts us to make hay while there is sunshine, that is, to dry the grass by exposing it to the sun, for in Western countries sunshine is scarce. The figurative meaning of the proverb is that we should make the earliest use of our opportunities.

In order to attain success in any undertaking, individuals and nations must have adequate resources and certain qualities like courage, heroism, and skill. Another important, though uncertain, factor which contributes to success is friendliness of circumstance, availability of suitable opportunities. We often observe that admirable qualities and heroic endeavour come to grief when circumstances are hostile. It is of the utmost importance that ambitious individuals and nations should have an eye for suitable opportunities and seize them when they occur. As Cassius puts it in Julius Caesar,

There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune: But once omitted, all the rest of life is bound in shallows and in misery.

Favourable opportunities do not often come, and it would be an irretrievable blunder to let them slip by either by not perceiving them or failing to make use of them through cowardice and hesitation.

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Mahatma Gandhi had an uncanny sense of the right moments for launching his Civil Disobedience Movements. The Quit India’ movement, for example, was timed admirably. The people were more politically conscious than at any other time and were ready for action, while the British were engaged in the war against Germany. Though Gandhi supported the British war aims, he felt that the psychological moment for dealing a final blow to British rule had come.

He was justified in the sequel. The ‘Quit India’ agitation played a decisive part in hastening Indian independence. If we read the biographies of successful men, we will find that the secret of their success lay in sense ‘a tide in the affairs of men’ and their prompt and bold use of it. Conversely, the story of ambitious men who have failed is largely the story of lost opportunities and futile regret.

The advice contained in the adage can be interpreted less seriously. Herrick counsels girls to marry when they are young:

Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles today, Tomorrow will be dying.

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Make Hay While The Sun Shines

Proverb says do good , essay on make hay , make hay while the sun shines 1

Last Updated on August 17, 2016

Make Hay While The Sun Shines :

• Every task we perform needs to completed on time
• For great success, making use of opportunity at the right time is important
• We should take advantage of the situations that favor us
• This ensures we obtain what we are targeting
• So it is wise to remember that “Make Hay While The Sun Shines”

Make Hay While The Sun Shines : (Short Essay)

“Make Hay While The Sun Shines ” is an old proverb; the essence of which is still true. Only when we make use of the opportunities we get, in the right way at the right time. When situations favor us, we have to make use of it so that we get what we desire. More important is that we should not make use of the opportunities in the wrong way. Whatever we do in our life should be in the right path. If we miss to make use of the opportunities when they are made available to us, we might never be able to get such an opportunity again in life. There are chances that we cannot get through a task without such an opportunity. So, we should be alert and keep watching for signs of good opportunities in life.

Make Hay While The Sun Shines : (Brief Essay)

Life is a competition and one who wins is the one who makes use of the opportunities. We all would have hear people say that “Opportunity Knocks only once in Life”. This is quite true. Not all doors are kept open for us to reach on any time. We should rightly act and get to the doorsteps that we need to reach and make use of the opportunity.

In this place comes the old and famous proverb:

“Make Hay While The Sun Shines”

Letting the grass dry by leaving it under the hot sun will destruct the same. Making most out of an opportunity when it is available to us is the act of a wise man. We might think it is not necessary that we should hurry when we get the first opportunity. Waiting for an opportunity to come to us the second time is foolishness. It is good to realize that most opportunities come only once in life.

Like how, “Time and Tide waits for No Man” opportunities do not wait for anyone. In this busy world, one who makes use of opportunities becomes the bread winner. Here comes another saying that explains this:

“Early Bird Catches the Worm” – This could be a saying that also reveals that one who makes use of opportunity on time will catch hold of victory. We should always remember that there are many people behind us who are waiting to take our place. So before it too late, we should wake up and work on our tasks.

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It is very small essay it can be little longer

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What Does Make Hay While the Sun Shines Mean?

Home » Phrase and Idiom Dictionary » What Does Make Hay While the Sun Shines Mean?

Make Hay While the Sun Shines Meaning

Definition: Take action when possible; don’t procrastinate; take advantage of any good opportunity.

Origin of Make Hay While the Sun Shines

This expression first appeared in the 1500s, and had a literal meaning . Farmers must cut their hay on a sunny day because the rain would prevent them from doing so.

It was difficult (and remains so) to predict the weather to know if it would rain the next day, so a good farmer would take advantage of the sunny weather while he could.

By the 1600s, people had begun to use the phrase figuratively.

In his 1852 book, On the Lessons in Proverbs , R.C. Trench, the Archbishop of Canterbury outlined the meaning and idea behind this phrase.

• Make hay while the sun shines is truly English, and could have had its birth only under such variable skies as ours.

Examples of Make Hay While the Sun Shines

Maria: Have you taken our dog to the vet yet?

Franco: Actually, not yet.

Maria: What are you waiting for? It’s important for the dog to get her vaccines.

Franco: She hates going to the vet, and I think people over-vaccinate their animals. I have a friend who never vaccinated his dog, and his dog was just fine!

Maria: Just because his dog didn’t catch a horrible disease and die doesn’t mean that ours won’t. I have a friend of my own who never vaccinated her dog, and her dog died from a preventable disease!

Franco: Yeah. Fine. I’ll do it next week.

Maria: Next week might be too late! You’ve got to make hay while the sun shines. If you wait too long, our dog could already be sick. We’re taking her to the vet today and that’s final.

Lorenzo: I can’t believe this professor just told us we have a test on Monday!

Alba: Yeah, I know. I’m glad I already studied for my other class, which also has a test on Monday. If I hadn’t studied, I wouldn’t have time to study for this one as well.

Lorenzo: How did you know to study before? I didn’t study for that other class, and now I’ll have to study for two tests! There’s no way I’ll finish on time.

Alba: I didn’t know I had to study, but I like to make hay while the sun shines. You never know what will happen and mess up your schedule.

Lorenzo: That was smart of you.

More Examples

The excerpt below is from an obituary. The family believes it is important to enjoy life while you can.

• If she were still here, she would gently & quietly encourage us to grieve less about the loss of her passing & celebrate more about the blessings our family has received over the years. After all, as she said many, many times before: “You need to make hay while the sun shines”. God Bless You Nannie, we will miss you. Your Loving Family. – New York Daily News

This excerpt is about a famous actress and comedian who wants to take advantage of her opportunities while she can.

• Fey said her husband regularly sought to soothe her anxieties as a working mother who keeps the hours of a Wall Street investment banker with this adage: “Make hay while the sun shines.” She has interpreted it, she said, to mean that she should maximize her career opportunities now, with the expectation that she will eventually have the discipline to pull back. – OC Register

The saying make hay while the sun shines is an idiom that people use to say do what you have to while you can and don’t wait until it’s too late .

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2001 WAEC English Language Theory Write a story, real or imagined, which illustrates the saying "Make hay while the sun...

Write a story, real or imagined, which illustrates the saying "Make hay while the sun shines."

Explanation

                                                    MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES        Amos Inyang and Tunde Lukmon were intimate friends while they were classmates in secondary school. Their friendship started on their very first day at school. Amos' parents had brought Tunde in their car. From there, they started their friendship and this blosomed soon after. They were very intimate when they were in the Junior secondary school. They did things together in the hostel and shared the same desk and chair in the school. Things, however, started changing after their Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination. They were both promoted to the Senior Secondary School class one. After their promotion. Tunde began to exhibit a change in his character and behaviour. His disposition to his studies changed and he started keeping bad companies. He played truant and ran away from classes. Tunde 's bad conduct made Amos distance himself from him. He decided to be up and doing in his studies while Tunde misbehaved most of the time and got into trouble with the school authority.        Amos continued to be well-behaved industrious and enterprising. He was hardworking, studious and he believed in making hay while the sun shines. At the end of the year. he was promoted to SS 2 while Tunde was promoted on trial because of his poor performance.        When they were promoted. Amos called Tunde and admonished him on his bad behaviour and advised him to make hay while the sun shone and stop wasting his time. Amos' admonition did not have any effect on Tunde as he proved stubborn and recalcitrant. He became more unruly than ever before.        One day, Tunde and his gang stole into the school poultry at night to steal eggs and fowls and they were caught. The second day, they were called out on the assembly and their offence was announced to the whole school. They were flogged openly and suspended for two terms.        When Tunde was suspended he refused to let his parents knew about his misdemeanour. He went to hide in one of his friend's house and while on suspension. he always sneaked into the school to cause one trouble or the other. His unrepentant attitude made the principal to expel him from school.        Amos continued to be diligent and hardworking in his studies. He came out of the school in flying colours and soon after he got admission into the university to study medicine After seven years in the university, he graduated and became a medical doctor.        One day as he was going round the emergency ward of the hospital where he was working, he stumbled on Tunde, his former classmate and friend. Tunde was abandoned on a stretcher half-dead; he was bleeding profusely. Some hours before this time, he had been wounded in a fight which ensued among members of the transport union in one of the motor parks. He was wounded with an axe. Amos took pity on him and took special interest in his case.        When Tunde was recuperating on his hospital bed, Amos got to know about his life after leaving secondary school. Indeed, he had wasted his time and he was a tout at Ikeja motor park where he was wounded while participating in a fight with touts from a rival motor park. In fact, he had no money to pay his hospital bill and Amos had to pay for him. When Amos revealed to him that he had paid his hospital bill, he burst into tears, weeping profusely. Then Dr. Amos had to pat him on the back to pacify him and he reminded him of his admonition to him some few years back. He said, "you Wouldn't have been in this mess if you had made hay while the sun was shinning."

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When the sun shines brightly, it provides a great chance to get outdoor things done. Like making hay! At least, that is what farmers from the past would say.

“Make hay while the sun shines.”

This idiom is very old, dating back to Medieval times. Rain would often ruin the process of making hay. So, farmers had no choice but to make hay when the sun was shining.

Today, we all use this expression, not just farmers. When conditions are perfect to get something done, we can say, “It’s a good idea to make hay while the sun shines.”

In other words, you are taking advantage of a good situation or of good conditions. You are making the most of your opportunities . These all mean “making hay while the sun shines.”

Now listen while I use this expression with my friend Bryan.

Say, when is your husband coming home?

Not for another two weeks.

That’s a long time! How are you spending your time alone?

I am finally getting some home improvement projects done. You know, moving some furniture, painting some rooms, cleaning closets …

That’s a lot of work for one person. Why don’t you wait for your husband to come home?

No way! It’s easier to do it by myself. I’m getting everything done that I can’t do with other people around.

Good idea. ‘Make hay while the sun shines.’

And sometimes we use this expression to mean we beat someone to the punch, or we got ahead of someone else.

And other times you make hay while the sun shines to make good use of the chance to do something while it lasts. You are being opportunistic – taking advantage of a good opportunity.

For example, my friend Ozzy was sick for a week and could not go to work. So, his co-worker Sarah -- who doesn’t like him -- took advantage of his illness and stole his project! Talk about making hay while the sun shines.

Sometimes when you make hay while the sun shines you are staying ahead of a problem – like in this example:

Hey, do you want to go hiking with me and my friends this weekend? The weather is going to be beautiful!

I wish I could. But I have to finish my taxes. It’s the last weekend before they’re due.

Oh, that’s too bad.

Wait. What about your taxes?

My taxes are done. I was off from work a couple of weeks ago and made hay while the sun shined. I got all of it done!

I wish I would have taken advantage of my time off last week. All I did was lay around the house.

You should know that sometimes we only use parts of this expression. You might hear someone simply say they were “making a little hay.” The meaning is still there, even if all the words aren’t.

And that’s all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. But join us again next week. You can listen while you’re making dinner or riding to work.

Yeah, make hay while the sun shines. Learn more English expressions with VOA Learning English!

Until next time … I’m Anna Matteo.

And I’m Bryan Lynn.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. ----Bryan Lynn was the editor. The song at the is Jessica Andrews singing “There’s More to Me Than You.”

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

idiom – n. an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own

medieval – adj. of or relating to the Middle Ages : of or relating to the period of European history from about A.D. 500 to about 1500

taking advantage of (something) – phrase to use a situation or opportunity to get what you want

opportunity – n. a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place

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Make hay while the sun shines

Hay (grass mown and dried for fodder) can only be dried when there is enough sunshine. In other words, summer is the best time for drying and storing things. When you think about it later, summer will be over and it will be the rainy season. During the rainy season, nobody should think that they can dry straw. There is no way to dry straw during the rainy season.   That is not possible. Summer presents a great opportunity for us to make maximum use of the sunlight. So we should take advantage of the summer sunlight to the fullest extent possible. In short, there is a time for everything. Among the few free things, we get in this world is time. It doesn’t matter how much money we have, we can’t buy an extra hour.  No matter how much money you give, you will never be able to take back even a single second that you’ve wasted. That is the real meaning of making hay while the sun shines.

Nature has a plan

According to William Wordsworth, nature has a holy plan. Winter follows autumn and night follows day. When spring comes, it will be beautiful everywhere, the trees will bloom swarms of bees and butterflies will flutter from flower to flower gathering nectar. When spring is gone and winter arrives, there will not be as many colors and joy in the air, at least for months to come. If the bee misses this spring and does not gather nectar, its storehouse will remain empty. Therefore, we must make hay while the sun shines and we must take advantage of the sunshine while it lasts. It is impossible to make hay when the sky is overcast or when it is down pouring heavily. The only time we can make it is when it is sunny. It is only possible to strike the iron when it is hot. If the iron becomes cold, it will not budge no matter how hard you strike it. So we must act at the right time. If we do things at the wrong time, they won’t work. When things are put off, regrets will follow. At last, we may face nothing but misery and regrets when old age finally seizes us and we become invalid.

There is a time for everything

Have you not heard our ancestors say there is a time to sow seeds, a time to plant, and a time to reap? It is important to do things at the right time .  Do not procrastinate thinking that you can do it later. When a child reaches the age of four or five, we enroll that child in school, and that is the best time to enroll. Would it be fair to say, I’ve been sending my child to school when he is ten? No, never. The child will be ridiculed in first grade if he or she is ten years. Studying every day what one has learned on the same day during one’s education is a habit that students should develop during their education . Some kids think they can study on the night before an exam if they put everything off. Finally, on the eve of the exam , they are worried about what to study and where to begin.

Procrastination is the great thief of time

The saying “ make hay while the sun shines ” does not only mean that all of your work should be completed at the right time, but also that you should not waste your time. Things should be done in the right manner at the right time. Procrastination is the great thief of time. We can’t buy time back with procrastination. Some people are always putting things off. Although we keep the motto “do it now” in front of us, we do not follow it. We tell ourselves that a little delay doesn’t matter and postpone. Then, it becomes a habit and we fail miserably in life. We are unable to pass well in examinations as students, we are unable to secure good placements, as adults we lag behind in the race, and finally, as we age and weaken, there is nothing we can do. We might wish for a second chance at life, but that’s just daydreaming again. The waste of time , regardless of how little it may be, causes destruction and ruin. Hence, it is important to understand the holy plan of nature and understand how time moves in order to adjust our actions and activities accordingly. Most of the time, we don’t realize this and if things go wrong, we blame fate or God. This is pointless because God helps people who help themselves. A number of things, including disease and natural disasters, also need our immediate attention.

The laws of nature are best understood by birds and animals

Birds and animals understand this principle ( make hay while the sun shines ) much better than humans do. In the summer months, bees collect honey to store in their hives. Honey is stored in beehives for the lean months when the bees are in need of it. When the cold conditions threaten, birds that are unable to cope with it migrate to sunny regions before winter begins. Many creatures, including frogs, migrate to better water habitats before the warm summer winds dry up their little pools. The only person who does not care much about this issue is a man because he thinks he can handle any contingency that may arise, so he postpones things and tries to make hay in the winter or during a monsoon. Sometimes you may say that we have enough technology to make hay even at night or in bad weather. Leave it for a while.  

If you want to know the value of time

We must value every moment of time we have. A student who failed a grade can tell us how much one year is worth. To understand the value of a month, we need to ask the mother of a premature baby. To understand the value of one hour, we must ask the lovers who are waiting to unite in marriage . If we want to know how valuable a minute is, we should ask someone who missed the train. If you want to know the value of one second, you have to ask the survivors of a big accident one second apart. If you want to know the value of a millisecond (The answer is yes to those who ask if there is such a time) ask a person who lost a gold medal in the Olympics.

Everyone is given the same amount of time

Time is the same for everyone, no more, no less. There are exactly the same number of hours in a day that were allotted to Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Coco Chanel, Anne Frank, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Alva Edison. There was no more time than ours for them to work for the good of this world. They made good use of the time they had, and that is how they succeeded . Everyone is given the same amount of time. So, we should never ever become accustomed to saying that we are short on time. Someone gets a week’s worth of value out of a year, while someone else gets a full year’s worth of value out of a week. Using our time effectively and efficiently will, however, assure success. Each of us is responsible for how we spend our time. An individual’s life span on this planet is comparatively short. It is therefore very important that everyone takes advantage of the time and opportunities available to achieve great things in life

Do not miss opportunities

Another meaning of “ make hay while the sun shines ” is not to miss opportunities. Based on a detailed analysis of various success stories in history, it becomes clear that the key mantra for accomplishment is utilizing time effectively and taking advantage of the ample opportunities available. In life, some people fall short just because they are waiting endlessly for better opportunities and, as a result, fail to notice the different opportunities that are knocking on their door at this particular moment. For someone to be successfu l, he must take advantage of the opportunities available to him, rather than waiting for better opportunities that may never come. Nothing in this world happens before or after time, everything happens in its own time.  Additionally, most things have a designated or scheduled time. There is no way to extend it beyond that time. We may lose a big opportunity if we don’t do the right thing at the right time. We should not give ourselves an opportunity to regret our failure to appreciate the importance of time in our lives once we have missed out on a big opportunity .

Thus, time is a great priceless treasure. Every morning we are granted twenty-four golden hours. All we need to do is manage the minutes, hours, and even seconds. The treasure is now ours and we can do whatever we like with it. We can either waste it or use it to create more treasures to make our lives beautiful and meaningful. We must learn to value our time and use it wisely. If we don’t respect time, it won’t respect us. Nothing on this planet is comparable to or replaceable with time as it is the most valuable thing on earth. We cannot get the time back once we have lost it. Time keeps moving forward in a forward direction. Unless we catch up with it, we will be left far behind. Therefore, we must prepare well in advance so that we can strike while the iron is hot .  It is important to remember that everything requires time to accomplish. Having no time means we actually have nothing. It’s rightly said that wasting time is the worst thing in this world since we miss out on playing our assigned positive roles on the world stage for which we have been sent into this world. So, Make hay while the sun shines .

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This post has 14 comments.

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Informative and good. I have never thought of the explanation of this but when I go through this you made it simple in a way that everyone can get the meaning…

Really this article made me to think of the time I left unused and the opportunities that I missed intentionally and unintentionally.

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