You are now entering a very special stage in your life. Until now, you have been under the guidance of your parents, grandparents and teachers. They will still watch over you, guide you and keep you secure. But you will be doing a lot more on your own. You are not born with ideas, knowledge of values. You learn or acquire them as you grow up. You learn new things from your parents, school, friends and television, news papers and magazines. It is up to you to decide which things will benefit you and others around you. You must listen to your conscience when you are faced with a choice or a difficult situation.
Do you see what I see?
Babu was an innocent village lad. He believed whatever anybody said. One day, his father sent him into the city to buy a baby goat. Babu bought the goat and started for home, carrying the goat across his shoulders. A gang of four men, who knew all about Babu, plotted to rob him of his goat.
The first man came by and pretended to be surprised. `What is the matter, Babu?’ he asked. `Why are you carrying the dog on your shoulders?’
`It’s not a dog,’ Babu retorted. `Can’t you see it’s a goat?’ `No, Babu said the man. `What I see is certainly a dog’. Babu continued on his way, and the second man came by. `Can’t you dog walk?’ asked the man? `Why are you carrying it?’
`It’s a goat’, said Babu but his tone was less sure. `A goat!’ exclaimed the man. `That’s a fine joke!’ and he laughed heartily. Babu walked on, feeling rather confused. The third man came by. `Poor Babu!’ he exclaimed. `Isn’t it hard to carry that dog on a hot day like this?’
`It’s a goat,’ said Babu, but the words came out only in a whisper. When the man was gone, Babu took the goat off his shoulders and looked closely at it. Was something wrong with his eyes/ was this a dog that looked like a goat only to him?
The fourth man came by. `Why are looking so closely at that dog, Babu?’ he asked. `Is it sick?’ that was it! Babu left the goat on the road and ran away. He thought, `I will have to tell my father that I lost the goat. But at least I won’t look stupid by brining home a dog instead. Luckily those kind men spotted my mistake!’
Then men collected the goat and went on their way.
Listen
Ram was a poor boy village who had come to a city school for higher studies. His parents had borrowed money to give him this chance. Everything was so different in the hostel! For instance, boy from wealthy families were interested only in having a `good time’. They would ship classes and go to movies, bars and discos instead. `Come with us, Ram,’ they urged him. `We can have fun’.
But Ram thought of his parents and family back home. They had such high hopes and drams for him. He could noel eat them down. And he did not. He worked so hard that he earned the nickname `Mr. serious’. When the first examination results came out, Ram was at the top of the list.
If you are not strong in your beliefs, you will always be in a state of confusion. Your beliefs should be like sturdy trees that survive great storms- not weak stems that bent low with every passing breeze. Instead of listening to other, Ram listened to his own heart. By doing this, he avoided distractions and reached his goal.
As you grow, you will visit more places, meet more people, read more books, and come across more ideas. Your beliefs will be challenged and your judgment questioned. You will often wonder, `is this the truth or des it only seem to be the truth?’ if you know in your heart that something it true, believe it, do not let others confuse you. Trust your judgment, even as you keep an open mind.