My mother is just a farmer but she knows how to educate her child.

    She used to say, “Knowledge is very important. You need to study hard.” She pushed me to read more, submit schoolwork on time, and recite famous literature passages. She even forced me to read and recite English sentences and articles in front of her despite the fact she didn’t understand.

    I didn’t realize the value of her endeavor until my exam results started to reflect my hard work. With my mother’s help, I was enrolled by the best senior high school in the county. But my high school life didn’t pass as smoothly as she expected. My hubris affected my concentration. I fell behind my classmates but she kept faith in me.

    One day, my English teacher suggested my class buy a voice recording device that would help us with our oral English. I saw this as an opportunity to have a portable device on which I could listen to music. When I arrived home, I told her I needed money to buy a language tool and she agreed. After lunch, I saw her dragging two bags of grain to the market. I felt humbled by the lengths she went for me.

    Now, whenever I am tempted to slack off and listen to music, I picture my mother sweating to give me an education.

    My mother has inspired me to become a teacher. This way, I can pass on her values to a new generation, teaching people the importance of knowledge and personal responsibility. It can be a stressful job, but the smiles on the children’s faces make it all worthwhile.