Judie’s class were studying Chinese culture. One day, her teacher went into the classroom with some kites. He told them that kites were invented in China more than two thousand years ago. At the end of the class, he said, “The Chinese make kites that mean something important to them. I expect each of you to make a kite that means something important to you. In that case, you will have a better understanding of kites than before.”

Judie decided to ask her dad for help as it was her first time to make a kite. “What can you think of when you see a kite?” her dad asked. Judie thought for a moment and answered, “Butterflies.”

Judie’s dad agreed that it would be a good idea to make a butterfly kite. They made a cross with some wood sticks, then Judie painted a butterfly on a piece of white paper. Next, they stuck the paper on the cross. Finally, they tied a long tail to the bottom.

The next morning, they took the kite to the park and tested it. “Wow!” she cried proudly, “How high it flies!”

“Judie, can you tell me why you like butterflies?” asked her dad.

Judie replied, “To me, butterflies mean beauty and freedom!”

When I was young, at the age of seven, I admired those great heroes and supermen who seemed to deal with anything difficult and became famous and popular. I was sure to answer “to be a great woman” whenever I was asked about my dream.

One day in my teens, my father asked, “Do you understand what the word ‘great’ means? Do you know how great people become great?” I shouted, “A person should be talented enough and ready to be given good chances.”

Father thought for a moment and promised to teach me about being great. He asked me to bring two plants and then to plant one of them inside our house and the other outside the house. I didn’t know the reason but did as he said.

My father asked, “Which one of these two plants will be bigger and stronger?”

I replied without thinking twice, “Certainly the one inside the room. The plant outside the house is not safe at all, because no one will be always there to take care of it. It can be eaten by animals.” Father smiled and said, “I will give you the answer to your question at the right time.”

I left for further education and I almost forgot the experiment. I saw the safe and big tree in the house when I came back after several years. Father brought me to the other plant outside. I couldn’t believe my eyes when we went outside. I saw a strong tree that was much bigger than the plant inside.

“Because it faced every season and many difficulties, but the one inside didn’t. So it didn’t become strong or big.” That is the meaning of the word “great”.