Lessons in Education
My best subjects in school were English, literature, composition, and history, followed by art. I had a vivid imagination, often creating stories from clouds during long car rides to the Caspian Sea. While I excelled in some subjects, math and sciences like algebra and biology left me feeling lost and comatose. The dissecting lab in biology class was a nauseating experience that led to me fleeing the room, resulting in humiliating grades.
There were subjects I truly despised—maths, algebra, geometry, and biology. Despite my father’s efforts to help me appreciate their beauty, I struggled. Disappointing grades on my report card, especially a C in maths and an F in algebra and biology, filled me with shame and dread. When I mustered the courage to show the report card to my mother, hoping she would sign it instead of my stern father, her disappointment signified impending doom.
Upon presenting the report card to Papa, our home plunged into gloom. His stern reaction reflected his belief that education was the most valuable asset one could possess. My father’s backstory, where education was fiercely emphasized despite familial disagreements, underscored the importance he placed on academic excellence. Eventually, after much pleading, my mother was permitted to sign the report card, a lesson that instilled in me the drive to always strive for excellence.
This childhood experience taught me the significance of education, the necessity of giving my best efforts in everything I pursued, and the valuable lesson that excellence should always be the goal.