The Lesson | Teen Ink

The Lesson

June 16, 2013
By SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel


Today I learnt a lesson,
Wondrous to behold.
God but has to test you
That is what it told.

Said: If at first you fall short;
Do not, the mission ever abort.
Maybe you're afraid that you would fail,
Do not worry, you'll prevail.
If only you shake hands with perseverance
At every pathway you'll get clearance.
And don't fall prey to despair,
After all life ain't always fair...
I read:"A man knowing ultimate sorrow,
Is the one to truly feel ultimate bliss."
I close mine eyes, smile and think:
"One hundred percent true 'tis!"
For now I see that all it takes,
A little courage and the wall breaks.
The wall that you from your goal separates,
’Tis truth that men make their own fates.
If you can't decide where to start
Don't fret, go and listen to your heart.
You can trust it, No fear that it misguides.
For you know that's the place where God resides.
If you face some unfairness,
Come hear it from me
He's likely got much better in store,
And will reward you handsomely!
I've passed through passageways unlit,
And learned you should strive bit by bit.
Just be steady and never give in;
And the aftermath will make you grin.
Finally getting to the cliff top I see,
Many more cliffs and mounts ahead of me.


The author's comments:
This could be called "The Ultimate Test" part II and it was rather amusing writing this after than one because we've all heard that life takes a test and then teaches a lesson so many times, right? Anyway, be sure to adorn it with your precious feedback. You know who you are. Love always.

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This article has 14 comments.


on Nov. 28 2013 at 12:32 pm
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Oh My THANK YOU for all those kind words. They sure have made me ecstatic and I am ever so glad that this poem touched you in the way it did.

on Nov. 21 2013 at 1:09 pm
Nella.Girl97 BRONZE, Ashland, Wisconsin
1 article 0 photos 437 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart."

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L! I have to admit this made me cry! I am almost speechless, I can't think of any words that describe this so perfectly! Thank you for writing and sharing this! I totally LOVE it! 

on Aug. 2 2013 at 11:50 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

I'm overly excited and happy that you could relate to it. Thank you for reading this. Thank you! :)

on Aug. 2 2013 at 11:50 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Thank You ever so much! You made my day :D

on Jul. 28 2013 at 8:45 pm
Angel1932 PLATINUM, Antioch, California
33 articles 0 photos 90 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetime" ~ Celine Dion
"If you're going to pray don't worry... if you're going to worry don't pray." ~ Mariah Carey

This is very deep, made me shed a small tear, I can really relate to this. Thank you for writing this! Thank you! :)

on Jul. 15 2013 at 4:37 am
thatunknownthing DIAMOND, Dubai, Other
67 articles 0 photos 208 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift; that's why they call it the present"

whoa. how can you perfectly make both rhyme AND sense? incredible poetry as always! go girl! (or saphira the dragon! :P)  

on Jun. 29 2013 at 12:21 pm
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Yes, Mckay I can believe that. What I don't get sometimes is what's it with guys and crying? I mean, it's NOT a feminine thing, it's a human thing and it is perfectly normal for a guy to cry under such circumstances. I am SO SO SO glad Mckay, absolutely delighted that this piece was so much to you and that it (even if in a small way) helped you. And isn't hope the most wonderful thing. If you ever have any lack of it, talk to me. I shall lend you some of mine. That's what friends are for, eh? Because you know, even if I cannot be a total optimist when it comes to my own issues, yet whenever my friends need one, I can be the best hope-giver ever!  Love always, Dua.         P.S. I dream a lot, but I barely ever remember them...... Oh and thanks for reading!

on Jun. 29 2013 at 12:15 pm
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

YAY! Wow, that would sure be so fun, applying at the same times :D  Hahaha you really give me hope. And I thank you a million times for that. ME TOO! I mean it always happens like this to me, when I finally settle in, I realize that that amazing period of my life has come to an end and I have to move on to the other. Univeristy would be Epic, I'm sure, fo rthe first time ever making my own way in the world, and yet there's so much about College (which is your equivalent of High School) that I cannot ever forget. That I'll miss so badly. That I will fondly think of every day. And you know I've changed so much since too, I  suppose it happens to everyone huh? In the beginning I was this always-studying, too-serious, girl that never really understood the slang her classmates used. Had no friends. It was awful. The not having friends part. And now, I do. Even though they are few :D And Can you believe it? I'm chief yearbook editor. It was all my idea so, as this school+college has never had a yearbook before. Though it is a little late due to my co-chief editors exams. Anyway, I do feel I've learned so much and gotten so far from that timid girl I was. Oh wow, you! Em,, that's just amazing.... You go Vice President!  Congratulations! Ah, well summer's going okay.. with all the heat though can't go out much and I love going out so.... Anyway, trying to make the most of everything. And you listen to your sister's awesome advice! Love always, Dua. P.S. have an awesome summer! :D

on Jun. 28 2013 at 4:18 pm
EPluribusUnum DIAMOND, Woodbine, Maryland
59 articles 24 photos 280 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head)."
-Sylvia Plath

Oh no, the computer just ate my reply! XD Well, I'll just have to try to remember it all. It'll probably show up a month from now XD I'm going to be applying in a year as well, which is exciting! I'm sure you'll get in wherever you want to go. You seem like a really bright person! Don't worry too much about standardized tests, they're never as hard as people make them out to be. Plus, most of the people I know do fairly well and don't study at all, so as long as you study I'm sure you'll do fantastic! As my sister loves to say "Shoot for the stars because if you miss at least you'll land on the moon!" Man oh man though, I can't believe high school is halfway over! I feel like I just started last week. Wow. Everyone I know is turning into our schools new leaders before my eyes, myself included, and nice as it is it's kinda wierd. Like my friend, who was the only other meek little freshman to start guard with me that first year, just became one of our cocaptains. She's grown so much! And it's looking like I'm going to be the Vice President of my school's new g.a.y straight alliance, which is nuts! I hope you're having a fabulous summer! Peace!    

on Jun. 28 2013 at 4:10 pm
EPluribusUnum DIAMOND, Woodbine, Maryland
59 articles 24 photos 280 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head)."
-Sylvia Plath

I have about a year as well, which gives me plenty of time for research and visits. And don't worry about those standardized tests, they're never as bad as people make them out to be. Since most people, at least of the ones I know, don't study and then still do fairly well, if you study I guarentee you'll do great! Plus, you seem really bright, so I'm sure you'll get in. To pharaphrase what my sister loves to say, shoot for the tops of the stars, because even if you miss you're sure to land somewhere great! Man oh man though, it's insane to think that high school's halfway over now. I feel like I started last week. Everyone I know, myself included, are turning into the leaders of our school and it's as scary as it is nice. I'm going to be vice president of my school's new Gay Straight Alliance and my friend who was the only other person to start guard with me freshman year just became a cocaptain. It's nuts! Welp, I hope you're having a fabulous summer! Peace!

Mckay ELITE said...
on Jun. 28 2013 at 4:06 pm
Mckay ELITE, Somewhere, Virginia
146 articles 0 photos 2230 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."
—Apple’s “Think Different” commercial, 1997
“Crazy people are considered mad by the rest of the society only because their intelligence isn't understood.”
― Weihui Zhou

This takes my breath away, Saphira. Honestly, lately, I've been going through some rough periods, valleys, if you will. That have overwhelmed me at times. To the point where one morning, I was dreaming just about everything going on with me—usually I don't dream...or remember. Anyway, I felt so overwhelmed that I woke up crying. Tears streaming down my face. Can you believe that? An 18 yr. old guy crying? But you know, I'm moving on; have to be strong for my whole family. And this encourages me to keep up the hope. To not abandon my faith. I know things are tough right now; but everything happens for a reason. And things will work out if we keep our heads up. And this poem demonstrates that with beautil rhyming lyrics. Thank you, Saphira, for writing this piece. And for spreading your hope and optimism to all of us. We're all going through our own sets of tribulations. But a little hope from someone else just makes us want to continue and reach that cliff, even if there are more valleys and cliffs. 

on Jun. 28 2013 at 7:37 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

grammar correction : you *will get into..

on Jun. 28 2013 at 7:27 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Hey Em! Long time no see. I missed you. And hey, I've been fretting so so much about that myself, though I still have like a year after which I'll be applying to universities, so I even considered applying in America you know, Since they give a lot of importance to A Level students unlike our local univeristies... then I realized I'll have to give IELTS and SATs as well,.. Well no problem giving those, except now I realized my parents don't want me to leave already... so ...Anyway, I'd be glad studying here too. There are some awesome universities. I just hope I do get it. It is just so darn tough. And Em, don't worry about yours. You shall get into Univeristy Of Chicago! InshaAllah. I'll pray. When are you applying by the way? P.S. Smile :)  Love always. P.P.S. Oh , I posted that Haiku "the four-letter word"!  

on Jun. 26 2013 at 11:03 pm
EPluribusUnum DIAMOND, Woodbine, Maryland
59 articles 24 photos 280 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head)."
-Sylvia Plath

This reminds me of my thoughts earlier today! I was fretting about getting into college, and how I'm ever going to be able to afford a good one (my dream school is the ever quirky, ever pricy, University of Chicago) and I just took a deep breath and told myself that I can do it. My path will come in time and all I have to do is follow it, because that's all I can do, and exactly what I was made to do.