The analogy doesn't work because he's just not asking the Smeargles to do anything they're incapable of, but working with them and their current abilities. He's honestly interested in helping them improve and enrich themselves, but dangling the impossible in front of someone's face as the 'ideal' way to do things is just cruel.

"I didn't say anything about efficiency. You did." So who's the one really 'misunderstanding' here? He tries to be a gentle teacher, he really does, but when someone does something he can't abide, like insulting someone's capabilities, he has to put his foot down and go into lecture mode.

"So, what more efficient communication could I use?" Answer the question, Legion. They're not going to get anywhere with this lesson until you do.