Mathew was a studious child who was really focused and determined to get the First Highest Score in Mathematics. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t attain it… He was the Second Highest Topper several times, and sometimes, he was below that. He just dreamt of him jumping in joy and effervescent pride on the Stage, masses clapping at his victory, and his Teachers smiling with an ebullient look at him. He barely slept for an hour, spending the rest of his life with Books and Homework. He didn’t go for Physical Education, Clubs or Games, and sat in one corner, being alone with himself and his Books. Despite these numerous sacrifices and probable dangers, he was not able to accomplish his goal of securing the Highest Score in Mathematics and becoming a Student Mathematician. One day, he fell asleep for a long time, as our Body too tends to get exhausted of being awake for a long period of time. On that day, he had a Dream, where he flew from his normal world to a different, vibrant and unique world. He landed at the Entrance, where there was a big signboard stating ‘The World of Realization’. He met an old man, perhaps a very old man, who looked like he has been living for centuries. He barely spoke just three words, “Come with me.” Petrified in the core of his heart, Mathew followed the strange man, as he didn’t know his way around and had no other option but to move with him. The place was humongous, exuberant and looked like a place which has transformed lives. Sauntering along with the man, Mathew noticed that there were several mansions with names of several Moral Virtues and Quotes. He saw many people with gloomy and despondent faces entering some of the Mansions along with old men like the one he went along with, and while coming out, they looked perseverant and had a face which showed some change or realization. After strolling around the place with the man for quite some hours, the man stopped and showed a gesture, and Mathew knew that he had to stop. It was a gigantic Mansion that was Violet in colour, and looked less flamboyant compared to the rest. There was a huge board with the Title, ‘Hard Work with no Rest or Personal Time’. There were two men who told him to enter the Mansion, and the Entrance Door was taller than most skyscrapers. He dreamt of visiting a castle with a thousand floors, but to his amazement, there were no floors, no rooms, and it was just one tall, huge piece of land covered with Tiles!! There was no Human presence, except for a person, who looked really wise like a Sage. The person said, “Come here, come here, come to rectify your mindset.” Mathew’s heart was pumping in immense trepidation and fright, but he walked slowly with light steps to where the man was sitting and meditating. The man enquired, “You are facing some difficulty, something is bothering you… Tell me openly what is the issue you have been facing.” Mathew was initially silent, fearing the man, but then said, “Nothing sir, nothing.” The man said, “I know you have been working hard for several years and haven’t acquired something of your dream. I know everything that is bothering you, and I want you to convey it to me freely.” Mathew, trusting the man, shared his problem of not getting the Highest Score in Mathematics, in spite of the Dedication and Hard Work he has been putting in for so many years.
The man pondered and closed his eyes, and was in deep thought for a few minutes, after which he responded, “Go back to the Entrance, you will see a black wagon. Bring it to me.” Mathew, who was quite bewildered, ran to the Entrance. He searched around, and he stumbled upon a black wagon filled with heavy objects of indescribable weight. He pushed the wagon, and the wagon didn’t move a bit. He put in all the might and force he could possibly muster, and the wagon slightly moved an inch. He continued pushing the wagon with so much of force and effort, and after thirty continuous minutes f pushing, he just couldn’t keep his hands on the wagon and let go. The wagon was around 1 metre from the entrance, and he had to push it to a place which seemed like 40 metres away! He took a short break of about a minute long, rubbing his hands. He continued to push the wagon, and after hours of pushing with frequent pauses, which seemed like years, he reached the man. For all the effort and toil, the man just uttered a single word, “Okay.” Mathew, who was a little upset, asked, “What am I supposed to do now?” The man replied, “Sit down and tell me what you have understood.” Mathew was a little confused, and he didn’t understand anything, except for the fact that it was a heavy wagon. He just said, “The wagon is really heavy. It’s difficult to move it all the way here from a point over there.” The man said, “Listen, your dream requires Hard Work, and that should be paired with some personal time and rest. You cannot keep on working and doing homework, you need to take short breaks to calm your mind. You pushed the wagon with a lot of strength and effort, but could you do it continuously on one long push? You had to stop in between for a couple of minutes. In life too, while trying to accomplish any goal, you need to work hard, but you also need to spend some time for your mind, take short breaks and focus on your hobbies and interests. That is the Formula for Success: Hard Work, along with a tranquil mind. You should take rest, and devote some time for things which you have zeal or interest for. If you do this, you will become unstoppable, and no one can set any obstacle in front of you. You can defeat all the hardships you come across in your life.” Mathew realized the
mistake he has been making all these years, and was able to comprehend that his Formula for Success was erroneous. He gratefully thanked the sage and left the Mansion, and went back to the entrance point of the ‘World of Realization’. After a few seconds, he felt like he was covered with water, and when he opened his eyes at a snail’s pace, he saw his mother splashing water on his face. He woke up, and realized that it was all a dream! His mother said, “Mathew, you slept for 8 hours!! The Bus is going to come in 5 minutes!” However, he learnt the Lesson he had been taught by the Sage, and he ran hastily to his Bus, and reached School on Time. That day onwards, he started to take around 30 minutes or so for doing things he loved, like playing Basketball, writing poetry and painting pictures. He studied the rest of the day, but kept a few minutes for enjoyment and happiness. He continued to work diligently, and at the end of the year, the Results came in. Mathew was so effervescent and excited to see who was on the List. He screamed in immense elation, as he was the Topper in Mathematics! He proudly went back home, feeling happy about his victory, and was so thankful to the Sage who appeared like a blessing in his Dream. His parents were delighted to hear the news, and congratulated him. After a few days came the Event, where Mathew was able to experience the dream which he has been hoping for all these years. He stepped on the stage, seeing the large audience clapping loudly, with his parents in tears of joy and pride. He continued utilizing this Success Formula, and obtained all his aspirations and goals in Life.