This is the world--the world as old and unpredictable as it is. This is where many men born great have fallen down to nothingness; and many born mediocres have ascended great pedestals, unmerited. Since I was born into it, I have seen many mountains, I mean problems, and I have enjoyed great victories, too. Sometimes some challenges prove rather unbearable, without any way or hope of escape. At other times, although there wouldn't be any escape route, I forcefully create one, and force my neck through, just to choose life over death.
So, clearly, in such times, I certainly must jump high over sharply pointed hurdles and squeeze myself under thorny bridges, in order to be able to escape. Otherwise, I must be choked within that selfsame challenge, and fail.
I try to jump over the hurdles, and force my neck through those strait, crooked underways, just to survive. But often I lose the strength to persevere when the road becomes rough and stormy. In times like these, I complain, cry, and sometimes give up. However, when I get green pastures to walk on; and I see no hurdles on my way; and I get free roads for escape, O, I rejoice!
But, I once made this important observation: the more I struggle for life in dangerous times, and win, the stronger I become in the end. And thus, I am able to overcome many other fierce challenges that arise later. However, when the battle is easy, and I win easily, I win anyway, but I end up without any strong backbone to uphold me whenever I face tougher challenges.
So now I know the secret. I know the secret of my strength. My real point of strength is in struggling hard, and struggling so hard to overcome the greatest of challenges. And I believe this is true because even when I look at nature, I see it. The more trees withstand great storms, heavy downpour of rain and scorching sunshine, the bigger, stronger roots they develop.
And that is the reason behind this broad, hearty smile...
ISAAC ESSOUN
(By God's grace)
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