How to Read “A chicken forgets after three steps”
Niwatori wa sanpo aruku to wasureru
Meaning of “A chicken forgets after three steps”
This proverb describes someone with very poor memory who forgets things immediately. It compares a person’s extreme forgetfulness to a chicken that forgets what just happened after walking only three steps.
People mainly use this saying for someone who asks the same question repeatedly. It also fits someone who forgets what they were just told moments ago. Sometimes people use it to poke fun at their own forgetfulness too.
Using this proverb instead of directly saying “that person is like a chicken” adds humor to the criticism. It points out the situation accurately while keeping things light. Even today, this chicken behavior works as an effective metaphor for poor memory or scattered attention.
Origin and Etymology
The exact first written record of this proverb is unclear. However, it likely came from observing how chickens behave.
Chickens have been domestic animals close to humans since ancient times. People in Japan raised chickens even before the Nara period. They watched chickens every day and noticed their habits.
While watching chickens search for food, people spotted a particular pattern. Chickens peck at the ground and move forward constantly. After walking a bit, they seem to forget where they just pecked and repeat the same actions.
Later research revealed the truth about chicken memory. But to people long ago, chickens appeared extremely forgetful. The specific number “three steps” emphasizes how short this distance is.
Three steps equals only about one meter. Forgetting something after such a tiny distance powerfully expresses extreme forgetfulness. This chicken behavior from farming villages became a lasting metaphor for poor human memory.
Interesting Facts
Scientific research shows that chicken memory is actually better than this proverb suggests. Chickens can remember things for at least several minutes to hours. They can recognize other chickens’ faces and remember where food is located.
This proverb came from impressions of chicken behavior, not their actual abilities.
The number “three” often expresses extreme shortness in Japanese. Phrases like “three-day monk” and “three-day reign” use three to mean “very brief period.” This proverb uses the same effect.
Usage Examples
- He’s like a chicken forgets after three steps – he already forgot what I just asked him to do
- I’m getting old and becoming like a chicken forgets after three steps myself
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has lasted so long because it shows deep insight into how uncertain human memory is. Everyone has forgotten something important at some point. We forget promises, requests, and lessons we learned.
Memory failures cause many relationship problems and mistakes.
Our ancestors compared this human weakness to chickens, familiar creatures around them. They expressed criticism with humor and affection. Poor memory is a weakness everyone shares to some degree. No human has perfect memory.
What’s interesting is that this proverb doesn’t just criticize. Being called “like a chicken” lets people laugh it off instead of taking it too seriously.
At the same time, it helps people recognize their forgetfulness and think about solutions like taking notes. The proverb points out human flaws while leaving room for acceptance.
This shows the deep understanding and kindness in this saying. It acknowledges the limits of human memory, a fundamental ability. Yet it contains wisdom for moving forward positively despite these limits.
When AI Hears This
A chicken losing memory every three steps perfectly demonstrates “noise accumulation” in information theory. Shannon’s theory states that noise always enters during information transmission, degrading the original data.
For example, you tell friend A “five red apples.” A tells friend B, who tells friend C. By the end, the message becomes vague like “some red fruit.” Have you experienced this?
What’s fascinating is that this degradation rate can be predicted mathematically. Research shows that each transmission stage retains only about 70 percent of the original information. After three stages, that’s 0.7 cubed, roughly 34 percent.
Two-thirds of memory disappears in three steps. The specific number “three steps” might not be coincidence but rather indicates a critical point of information decay.
More importantly, this degradation cannot be prevented. Just as the second law of thermodynamics says entropy always increases, information always becomes more chaotic over time and transmissions.
When “the president’s intentions don’t reach the workplace” or rumors change as they spread, the same physical law governs both. The chicken’s forgetting embodies a fundamental principle of the universe.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people not to overestimate their memory. We face massive amounts of information daily. Emails, messages, meeting decisions, everyday promises. Thinking you can remember everything perfectly is dangerous.
What matters is creating systems that assume you’ll forget. Take notes, set reminders, and repeatedly confirm important things. These are smart responses that acknowledge weak memory.
This proverb also teaches tolerance toward others’ forgetfulness. When someone forgets a promise, it might not be malicious but a natural human limit.
Laughing about them being like a chicken while telling them again shows healthy flexibility. This smooths relationships.
When you forget something yourself, don’t blame yourself too harshly. Humans aren’t perfect. What matters is honestly admitting your mistake when you notice it. Then find ways to avoid the same failure next time.
This humility and positive attitude is the real message this proverb wants to convey.
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