Student Essay on Knowledge

Knowledge

There once was a frog who lived at the bottom of a well, he was born and raised inside the well and never thought about going outside. The frog always thought that the well was an ocean. One day there was a flood that came down and filled up the well, the frog drifted out of the well and saw the outside world for the first time. He saw the vast ocean and the open fields. He was very surprised at what he had missed out on and decided that for the rest of his days, he would explore. This ancient Japanese folk tale can be summarized into a simple proverb, "The frog in the well does not know the ocean." There are millions of marvels in this world, and in order for me to become more learned, I have to keep an open mind and learn and accept new innovations. Traditions should be preserved but they can always be improved with new ideas.

Our brains are like bottomless pits because no matter how much information we throw in it will never be full. Since everything that is new to me adds to my knowledge, I will become more resourceful as I see and learn more and more. I believe people should never stop learning or trying new things because the human brain never stops absorbing new information. There was an old man who tried skydiving on his ninetieth birthday; I admire him for trying a new and dangerous sport at such a frail old age. I try to live my life by this axiom. For example, this summer I joined a pioneer program to be the first high school students to make a feature length movie. Although this movie will not get very much publicity, I feel like I have accomplished something new and exciting. I will continue to try out new ideas and invention for as long as I live.

The frog did not leave his home and was never interested about the outside world, thus missing the opportunity to gain new information. I believe a part of expanding my knowledge is by having a variety of interests. When one looks in a history book, he would find that the most successful leaders and emperors always had a variety of interests in new things. When I am older I would like to travel around the world and learn about different arts and crafts. I think that a person that is learned in various skills will always stand out among the average people. Seeing different cultures will bring me one step closer to enlightenment.

So in conclusion, I will always try to live my life to the proverb "The frog in the well does not know the ocean." The frog will remind me of a close-minded person who would not accept anything new. I will be open for new suggestions and always ready to try something new. It is said that no one could possibly learn everything there is to know, but at least one can keep up with current events. Life is short, so why spend ones life in a hole and never know what he missed out on"