A stitch in time saves nine

 The proverb means that steps should be taken to remedy a defect at its earlier stage and if that is done a lot of trouble is averted. If a tear in a garment is stiched in time, it stands wear for a much longer time that if an attempt is made to patch it up, when the tear has become larger.

We may take the example of the Dutch boy who stopped with his hand a hole in the boulders which stood by the seaside. Had he not acted on the spur of the moment, it would not have been possible to fill the breach. Timely action on the part of the government of India in Kashmir saved the valley from the raiders.

The proverb implies that we should pay immediate attention to thing going wrong. Neglegence on our part will deprive us of the opportunity of mending them. A person feels unwell, he does not mind it, get worse and yet takes no steps. When he does call in a doctor, his illness has perhaps taken a serious turn. If he had taken proper care at the right time and consulted a good physician, much trouble and expense might have been saved.

If a boy who steals is not taken to task on the very first occasio, he will feel tempted to commit another theft, as soon as an opportunity presents itself; and the longer he is left to continue in his habit of stealing, the more confirmed will his habit be, till one day, he will be beyond correction.

If a boy is made to mind his lesons, as soon as he is found to be inattentive, he will gradually acquire the habit of close application. If, on the other hand, his waywardness is allowed to have full play and no restraint is placed on him, when he is disposed to be negligent in his studies, he will never be able to apply his studies, he will never be apply his mind to anything for a long time.

The following story clearly brings out the meaning of the proverb. One afternoon a rich farmer was riding home from a fair with a lot of money. By chance, a nail of one of the horse shoe's was missing. The farmer however did not care to have a new nail put in as he was in a hurry to reach home befrore nightfall.

The way lay through a forest. As ill luck would have to go a long distance and it was getting dark. He spurred the horse. He had not gone far when a thorn ran into horse's hoof and the horse began to limp. All his efforts to goad the horse proved fruitless as the horse had become partially lame.

So the farmer had to dismount the horse and walk on foot along with the horse. Night overtook him and he lost his way. Suddenly some robbers fell upon him and robbed him of all his money. The farmer became penniless and wept bitterfly in dispair but it was crying over spilt milk.

Remember that for want of a nail, the shoe was lost, for a want of a shoe, the horse was lost, for want of a horse,  the rider was lost and for want of a rider,  the battle was lost. Steps, therefore should be taken to remedy small defects at once. If they are left to themselves, they grow too serious to be remedied at a larger stage.