The Three Students

A — “Look at that guy (referring to A discussing math with D while talking to C). From now on, he’s out of our group already.” C in his usual quiet unassuming way didn’t say anything and moved on.

2nd grading exams Trigo test results

A — 60% B – 79% C — 61%

NOW A begins to feel heavier resentment towards B. C talked for the 1st time.

C — “Hey friend, way to go (talking to B).”

B just smiled.

C — “I see you’ve been close with D lately, maybe you can help me approach him. Hey, I can’t keep on getting this kind of grades. I’ll be screwed.”

B — “Ok, let’s go. I’ll introduce you to him”

So C begins approaching D as well and just like what B discovered, contrary to what A said he’s real nice guy. Humble and approachable, while very patient in explaining the details of the questions at hand. D by the way also improved on his English exams by hanging out with B and C. Now A is left all alone, but obviously he’s not seeing the picture clear. Instead of reaching out to his friends, he began to distance himself from B and C while hanging around with another crowd and started (even relished) in back-stabbing his former friends.

3rd grading exam results

A – 59% B – 88% C – 77%

Now A is really angry (and panicking as well), he felt betrayed, he felt deserted. B and C continue to reach out to their former friend (A) mates but A has shut the door already. Eventually the friendship drifted off.

So what’s the point all this student A,B,C stuff ? Apply it in real life.

Student A

The type of person who cannot accept that there will be someone out there who is better and smarter than he is. If there really is, he will always be in denial. When someone did something good, he always has a convenient answer “luck, reviewers and leakages”. He felt he’s always better and smarter and to see the bottom line result that he is not is inconceivable to him. To tell the truth, he’s a real smart-aleck but his attitude is stagnating his growth. His inability to accept certain realities and that “better-than-you” attitude, put in “pride” into the mix and you see a perfect example of a wasted potential.

Why did he thought of D as “arrogant”? Because he is looking at a reflection of himself. When you are conceited and snobbish , you’ll always feel that others are just as well. Then when you meet then, you’ll start bragging, the surest way to drive others away. So when others did drift off, you’ll begin to say “See I told you!” not knowing that it was you who really drove him away.

Student B

The humble type of person, he’s always a willing learner, always believe it’s really how you approach a guy. He doesn’t feel that he is degrading himself when he humbled himself (to approach D). The results of his exams are testament of “how far humility can take us”. If he can continue to take that attitude with him as his guiding-motto, he can go a long way. Talent/Intelligence wise he’s a little notch below A but here’s someone who believes that it’s by learning and listening (and not comparing) with the better and smarter guys that’s the key to continuous improvement.

Student C

The normally neutral guy who gets to see 1st hand how pride and “better-than-you_ attitude destroyed A and how humility and willingness to learn elevated B. Now it’s so obvious to know where to go. He’s the quiet type who sees and observes everything.