In a small town surrounded by hills and lush green fields, there lived a boy named Arjun. He was an average student, never really standing out in class. He attended his lessons, completed his homework, but he always felt disconnected. Arjun rarely spoke up in class, never asked questions, and didn’t really see the point in studying hard. He thought that it was just something he had to do because everyone told him to.
One afternoon, after a long day at school,
Arjun was walking home when he met his neighbor, an old retired teacher named
Mr. Sharma. Mr. Sharma was known for his wisdom and had a way of explaining
things that made everyone think differently. Arjun always admired him but never
had the courage to strike up a conversation.
Seeing Arjun looking lost in thought, Mr.
Sharma waved and called him over. “You look like you have something on your
mind,” he said with a kind smile.
Arjun hesitated but then decided to share. “I
don’t really understand why we study so much. I mean, what’s the point? It’s
just boring, and I don’t think I’m that smart anyway.”
Mr. Sharma chuckled softly. “Ah, the question
of why. That’s a good start, Arjun. You see, the moment you ask why,
you're already on your way to learning something new. Do you know the story of
Ananya?”
Arjun shook his head. “No, who’s that?”
“Well,” began Mr. Sharma, “Ananya was a
student just like you, perhaps even quieter. She wasn’t the top of her class,
nor was she someone teachers would immediately notice. But one day, during a
science class, the teacher explained something about how rain forms. Most
students nodded and accepted it, but Ananya, who had always been curious,
raised her hand and asked a simple question: ‘But why do clouds float if they
carry so much water?’
The class went silent. The teacher smiled and
said, ‘That’s a great question! Let’s explore that.’ The teacher went on to
explain about air pressure, water vapor, and how the weight of the clouds is
balanced by the air around them.
That one question sparked a discussion that
went far beyond the textbook. Ananya learned more than she had ever imagined.
It wasn’t that she was the smartest or the most studious, but because she asked
why, she began to understand things in a way that made sense to her.
After that day, Ananya started asking more
questions. She no longer studied just to memorize, but to understand. Whenever
she didn’t understand something, she asked her teachers or her parents.
Sometimes the answers were easy, sometimes they weren’t, but every time, she
grew a little bit wiser.”
Arjun listened carefully, intrigued by the
story. “So asking questions is important?” he asked.
“Very important,” replied Mr. Sharma. “The
world is full of answers waiting to be discovered. And do you know what
happened to Ananya? She went on to become a scientist. Not because she was the
best student, but because she had a curious mind that always wanted to know
more. And that curiosity, my boy, is the key to learning. Asking questions,
sharing your thoughts, and discussing your doubts with your teachers or
parents—that’s how you grow.”
Arjun thought about this for a moment. “But
what if my questions are silly, or what if people think I’m not smart enough?”
Mr. Sharma smiled and placed a hand on Arjun’s
shoulder. “There are no silly questions when you are trying to learn. Every
question is a step towards understanding. And if you don’t ask, you’ll never
know. Your teachers and your parents are there to guide you, not judge you.
They want you to succeed, but you have to take the first step.”
Arjun went home that day with a new sense of
purpose. The next day in class, when his teacher was explaining a math problem,
Arjun felt that familiar confusion creeping in. But this time, instead of
staying quiet, he raised his hand.
“Yes, Arjun?” the teacher said, a little
surprised, since Arjun rarely spoke.
“I didn’t understand how you got this step.
Could you explain it again?” he asked.
The teacher smiled warmly. “Of course!” She
went over the problem again, this time in a simpler way. And as she explained,
Arjun felt the pieces falling into place. For the first time, he wasn’t just
listening—he was learning.
From that day on, Arjun started asking more
questions. He discussed his problems with his parents when he was stuck on
something at home. Slowly, his confidence grew. His grades improved, but more
importantly, his love for learning blossomed.
He realized that studying wasn’t just about
memorizing facts but understanding the world around him. And every time he felt
stuck, he remembered what Mr. Sharma had told him: “Curiosity is the key.”
Moral of the Story:
- Curiosity leads to understanding. Don’t
be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they’re small or
unimportant. They are the building blocks of learning.
- Never hesitate to seek help. Your
teachers and parents are there to support you. Share your doubts, your
problems, and your ideas with them. Discussing and asking questions will
open doors to new ways of thinking and understanding.
- Learning is a journey, not a race. What matters is not how fast you learn but how well you
understand. Let curiosity guide you on that journey.
