Education — The Fire That Never Goes Out

Written by Shivangee Jha

"Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death." — Albert Einstein

The Spark of Curiosity

The kindling of a fire usually starts from what's seen as a little flicker of flame and turns into flames as it grows itself out, shining deeper and glowing brighter. Like the fuel driving the flames to its glory, curiosity is the foundation of educational growth.

You could say curiosity slowly grows within you as you become conscious of happenings and start to question them and learn in the process of doing so. If it were up to me, I'd say education is rather the process of questioning things rather than just looking for the answers, gradually acquiring facts and correlated knowledge as you explore further.

Questions That Changed the World

If curiosity were to cease, certain things wouldn't have been discovered yet. Had Newton just ignored the falling apple, the concept of gravity would've been void. If Nobel laureates Watson and Crick didn't dig into the helical structure, we would've never known of DNA and life being passed on and on.

What? Why? How? When? Where? — these questions start at an early age as the roots penetrate deeper, growing into a twig and a tree, slowly and steadily.

Life Is the Greatest Teacher

Oftentimes, the perceptions built around education are mostly associated with school, papers, exams, and textbooks — but life in itself is education and the educator. In day-to-day life, every unique experience leads to learning something. Conversing with people and realizing their part of the story also leads to gaining knowledge. Mistakes are always worthy enough to make use out of them.

But a fire without a limit is often a hazard — that's where mentors and teachers come into play. Guidance often shapes understanding, helps us distinguish good from bad, and flourish into better versions of ourselves.

Why Education Truly Matters

In today's world, education matters a lot. The people make a nation — if the people are ill-informed, the decline becomes inevitable. Learning shapes identity, moulding a person into betterment and their best versions, giving them an edge in personality.

Education shouldn't be bound only to books and paper but grow into the ability to think critically, ponder, explore, and question things. True education always gives room for growth rather than confines someone into it.

The Lamp That Never Goes Out

If the fire grows into a lamp, it twinkles steadily and is of great use — similar to lifelong learning. Mistakes may flicker the flames, but the fire doesn't go out. The lamp continues to remain alight until its very end moments, full of fire.

"Education shouldn't confine someone to shackles of books but inspire them to seek for the light beyond them."