Stop comparing yourself | learn english through story | Improve English speaking skills everyday

Summary

In a tranquil village, Eric, a thoughtful boy, struggles with comparing himself to his more accomplished friends, leading to feelings of inadequacy. One day, while walking by the river, he encounters an elderly gardener who shares a parable about two saplings, one boasting of its strength but ultimately uprooted by a storm, while the other, smaller one survives and flourishes. This story enlightens Eric, teaching him the importance of self-acceptance and the futility of comparison, leading him to embrace his own path and find contentment.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Eric, a thoughtful boy, enjoys exploring nature and spending time with friends but often compares himself to others.
• ☀️ Feeling disheartened, Eric takes a walk by the river where he meets an elderly gardener.
• 👴 The gardener notices Eric's troubled expression and asks about his 'long face'.
• 🌳 Eric opens up to the gardener about his insecurities and comparisons with his friends.
• 📚 The gardener shares a parable about two saplings, highlighting the dangers of constant comparison.
• 🌪️ In the story, a storm represents a challenge that affects the saplings differently based on their attitudes and strengths.
• 🌼 Eric learns that focusing on self-improvement and acceptance can lead to personal growth and happiness.
• 💡 The story illustrates that comparison can steal joy and that self-acceptance is key to finding contentment.
• 🌈 Eric embraces his unique strengths and stops letting comparison overshadow his journey.
• 🌟 The narrative concludes with Eric finding peace and satisfaction within himself and his community.

Q & A

What is the setting of the story?

The story is set in a quiet village nestled between rolling hills.

Who is the main character of the story?

The main character of the story is a boy named Eric.

What is a characteristic of Eric's personality?

Eric is a thoughtful boy who enjoys exploring nature and spending time with his friends.

What problem does Eric face in the story?

Eric often finds himself comparing his abilities and possessions to those of others, which makes him feel inadequate.

Where does Eric go to clear his mind after feeling disheartened?

Eric decides to take a walk by the river that flows near his village.

Who does Eric encounter by the river?

Eric encounters an elderly gardener tending to a beautiful garden by the river.

What advice does the gardener give to Eric about comparison?

The gardener tells Eric that comparison can steal his joy and shares a story to illustrate this point.

What is the moral of the story shared by the gardener?

The moral of the story is that focusing on self-improvement and accepting oneself is more important than comparing oneself to others.

How does the story of the two saplings relate to Eric's situation?

The story of the two saplings, where the smaller one survives a storm while the taller one is uprooted, teaches Eric that being strong on the inside is more valuable than outward appearances.

What lesson does Eric learn from the gardener's story?

Eric learns the valuable lesson of self-acceptance and the importance of not letting comparison overshadow his journey.

How does Eric change after his encounter with the gardener?

Eric stops comparing himself to others and starts focusing on nurturing his own growth and happiness, embracing his unique strengths and finding contentment within himself.