There was an old school in a rural area run by a poor teacher who also served as the principal. One day, a student came into his cabin and asked in anger, “We have no playground, half of the benches are broken, there’s no proper lighting, and the fans don’t work. Why shouldn’t I leave this school?”
The principal listened patiently and asked, “What about studies? Are they good?” The student replied, “Yes, studies are excellent.” “But what about the rest of the things?” The principal went into deep thought, then handed him a glass of water and said, “Go and take a round of all the classes and come back, but mind it, do not spill a single drop of water. After completing your task, I will answer all your questions.”
The student went from one class to “another, taking each step consciously without taking his eyes away from the water even for a single second. After an hour of hard work, he completed his task and returned to the principal’s office.
The principal smiled and said, “This time you didn’t notice any of those things you talked about earlier because your whole mind and energy were focused on the water, which was your goal to save. Our purpose is to provide you with high-quality education at nominal fees, and if your aim is to get an education, then you should stay; otherwise, you can leave.”
What’s your answer, boy?” the principal asked. “I want education. I understand that the prime aim of schooling is to get quality education, and the rest are secondary, which can be neglected for the higher aim.” Then the principal said, “Go and fulfill your aim.”
