A smile is a force.

Author: Wang Guohua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Growth
A large fish tank was placed at the entrance of an office in a certain unit, filled with about a dozen hybrid fish from tropical regions. Those fish were about three inches long, with big heads and red backs, and wide fins, looking particularly beautiful and attracting the attention of many office workers who stopped to gaze at them.
In the blink of an eye, two years had passed. During those two years, the fish seemed to show no change—they remained about three inches long, with big heads and red backs, and wide fins. They lived happily in the tank, sometimes playing and sometimes resting, drawing people's amazed gazes.
One day, the bottom of the fish tank was accidentally knocked out by the mischievous young son of the unit's leader. By the time people noticed, there was barely any water left in the tank. The tropical fish were pitifully struggling for survival, lying there barely breathing. People quickly rescued them. What should they do? After looking around, they realized the only place they could take refuge was the water fountain in the courtyard. So, they placed the fish there.
Two months later, a new fish tank was brought back. Everyone rushed to the water fountain to catch the fish. When they pulled out one fish, they were greatly surprised. When they pulled out another, they were even more surprised. By the time all the fish were caught, people were almost at a loss: Just two months—only two months—those fish had grown from three inches to over a foot long!
People talked in all directions, with various theories. Some said it might be because the water in the fountain was running water, which made the fish grow so large. Others suggested the fountain might contain some kind of mineral. Still others thought the fish might have been eating something special. But no matter what the reason, there was a common premise: the fountain was much larger than the fish tank!
Youth's growth is also like this. If you want to grow to your fullest potential, don't confine yourself to a small fish tank. Go to the fountain, go to a broader environment!