A parable of a child — I


There is a difference between education and experience. Education is what you get from reading the small print. Experience is what you get from not reading it!

But isn’t it true that great learning comes from both education and experience? Let me tell you a parable:

A young school teacher had a dream that an angel appeared to him and said, “You will be given a child who will grow up to become a world leader. How will you prepare her so that she will realize her intelligence, grow in confidence, develop both her assertiveness and sensitivity, be open-minded, yet strong in character? In short, what kind of education will you provide that she can become one of the world’s truly GREAT leaders?” The young teacher awoke in a cold sweat. This was something of a responsibility that had to be gone through. It had never occurred to him before-any ONE of his present or future students could be the person described in his dream. Was he preparing them to rise to ANY POSITION to which they may aspire? He thought, ‘How might my teaching change if I KNEW that one of my students were this person?’ He gradually began to formulate a plan in his mind.

This student would need experience as well as instruction. She would need to know how to solve problems of various kinds. She would need to grow in

character as well as knowledge. She would need

self-assurance as well as the ability to listen well

and work with others. She would need to understand and appreciate the past,

yet feel optimistic about

the future. She would need to know the value of lifelong learning in order to keep a curious and active mind. She would need to grow

in understanding of others and become a student of

the spirit. —achieveezine.com