The value of hard work and perseverance
When I was 15, I took the high school entrance exam. In our city, getting into the Number One High School was the goal for many students.
A few months before the exam, a piece of news spread through the school. The city government, to reward those who contributed to the city’s development, implemented a policy that granted an extra 10 points on the entrance exam to the children of those who had been recognized as City-Level Advanced Workers for three consecutive years. Suddenly, I remembered that my father had been awarded as a City-Level Advanced Worker for several years in a row, and I felt a surge of excitement. When I eagerly shared the news with my father, he responded with unusual indifference. He said, “Exams should be fair, with every student starting from the same line. Your parents’ achievements are their own. It’s not right to add points to your exam just because of your parents’ accomplishments!”
My father’s cold and harsh words dragged my joyful heart from heaven to earth. I ran into my bedroom, threw myself onto the bed, and cried in sorrow.
Some students in my class submitted copies of their parents’ award certificates to the school. They finally felt relieved because they knew they had 10 more points than their peers.
But I didn’t dare to slack off. I knew that at this critical moment, I couldn’t rely on my parents; I could only rely on myself.
Surprisingly, none of the students who received the extra points got into the Number One High School.
When I brought home the bright red acceptance letter, my father smiled and gently patted my head, saying, “There are many shortcuts in life, but sometimes shortcuts can become stumbling blocks to success. The results you achieve through your own hard work are the most solid and the sweetest…”
Before my father could finish, I nodded vigorously. I finally understood why my father had coldly refused to give me those extra points—he was afraid that the fruits of a “shortcut” wouldn’t be “sweet,” and even more so, that the “shortcut” would trip me up!
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
