Tajik Student Refuses $500 Gold Medal

“Knowledge is our power, money is our weakness”.

I am sure most of you have heard this saying; some of you probably agree and some of you disagree with this statement. My name is Homid Kholov and I’m studying in the 11th grade at Lyceum #1. Every year we have an English Competition between high school students. Students who demonstrate high scores and excellent knowledge get a gold medal. In order to get the medal, I decided to enter myself in this competition. I passed three rounds of the competition and scored a 92 for English knowledge. Although this score was enough for taking the gold medal, I was rejected from the winner’s list. At the end of the competition the principal called my father and asked him to come to school. After the conversation with the principal, I met with my father in the school yard and we had a serious talk. I saw that something was bothering him, but couldn’t imagine what problem was so serious and worrisome. My father explained that the principal is offering a “great chance” for my future. My father was supposed to buy the gold medal, which I earned with my own knowledge, for $500. I was embarrassed and shocked. “Why should I buy something which I deserve for free?” I asked.

Even though my father was ready to buy the medal, I forbade him to do it. I’m a strong, smart and purposeful person, and I can get medals and certificates with my own knowledge alone. I have been studying English hard for my entire life, why should I waste my father’s money if I can show my real knowledge without it? Despite my father’s wish, I refused the $500 medal.

Knowledge is the single most valuable possession in this world and can never be taken from us. Now I try to participate in other competitions, which don’t request money for my knowledge and achievements. I hope that someday, I will be honored by a medal for my efforts in studying English! Now my father is proud of me because I prevented him, and myself, from making this mistake, which could effect my future!

The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young. And there is only one way through which we can keep our mind young: by gaining knowledge on a continuous basis. I wish that all students will be strong and purposeful, and believe in truth and their knowledge. At the end it will be worth it. Even though it’s difficult, it is something we must do to better ourselves in the world.