“When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool”
— Chinua Achebe
Simplified Meaning:
When something painful or difficult comes into your life, you can't always stop it from happening. Even if you try to push it away or ignore it, it will still be there. Think about a time when you had a problem that wouldn't go away, like feeling very sad after losing a friend. You might want to pretend you're fine and go on with your day, but the sadness is still with you, no matter what you do. In this way, the quote shows that suffering, like a visitor who brings his own stool, will find a place to stay in your life. You can't just tell it to leave; it will sit and wait until you deal with it. This means it's better to face your troubles and work through them, instead of trying to avoid them. By accepting that difficulties are part of life, you can start finding ways to cope. For example, if you're sad, talking to someone you trust or doing things you enjoy can help you feel better over time. Instead of running from your problems, face them, and you will become stronger and more resilient.