The cello scene from 'Take the Money and Run' and what it can teach us.

There’s a hilarious scene in Woody Allen’s ‘Take the Money and Run’ where Virgil (Woody’s character), is shown playing a cello in a street marching band. He fumbles along trying to keep up with the band with his chair, cello and bow in a futile effort to sit down and play a few notes before he is left behind.

Obviously the idea of a cello in a marching band is absurd, which from a comedic standpoint is what makes the scene so funny. But it’s also a brilliant illustration of a number of truths. First that comes to mind is how wrong it is to use a cello in a marching band. That truth can be summed up generally by the old saying, “Wrong tool for the job.” Secondly, the scene shows the forward movement of time as in “Time waits for no man.” In this case, that would be Woody, but it could just as easily be you or me locked in a no-win situation. So, don’t use (or be!) the wrong tool and make the most of your time, because it’s only going one direction and that is forward.

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