Well-Informed, Unquestioned Desire (aka The Parable of the Advanced Placement Student)

There once was a girl who loved to learn.  While other kids would be outside playing, she could be found sitting on her porch, eagerly and excitedly reading books on advanced topics.

As she progressed from grade school to middle school to high school, her desire to learn more grew as well.

Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that school wasn't challenging enough for the young woman.  Although she read all the textbooks she was supposed to read in school and got good grades, she still wasn't academically fulfilled.

One day, she seized the initiative and approached her high school principal about her situation.  After she expressed her feelings and frustrations, he leaned back in his chair, looked outside and felt the warmth of the sun shining through his office's windows.  After pausing for what seemed like an eternity for the young woman, the principal spoke.  His response was both thrilling and disquieting.  He said:

"I've been watching you, and have seen you reading and learning wonderful things that don't interest the other kids.  I have to say, I am so proud of you, and for the love of learning you have.  I have no doubt you are going to go far in life.

Now, we have an accredited program just for kids like you.  It's a curriculum that's custom-made for you.  That means you'll have to keep attending this school and taking the same classes as all the other kids.  But after school, you'll be able to log on and study at your own pace, as fast and as far as you can handle.  This also means that, provided you pass all your personal curriculum tests, you'll get to graduate early, and with college credits as well.

But I need to warn you of two things:

First, I don't think there are any other kids in our city who are taking this online course.   You just may be the first.  So, if you want to interact with other kids just like you, you'll need to seek them out and find them.  You'll probably succeed at this, but you'll find they live in other cities far away from ours.  So, don't be surprised if some days you feel alone. 

Second, about the other kids here -- they are just as special, and just as wonderful as you are.  But they will have a difficult time relating to you, and understanding why you've chosen to study a more customized, accelerated program after school hours.  They will think you're weird, maybe even a freak.  It'll be even worse if you start telling them about other kids, just like you, in far away cities; they'll likely consider you a member of a group of freaks.  You can forget about assuming significant leadership positions like class president or student body president, because not only the kids, but even some of the teachers here in our area will call you names and will question your motives. 

On the flip side:

First, you will learn things about people, places, nature, even the universe that will excite you, maybe even take your breath away.  And although your mom and dad can't take the special curriculum tests you'll have to take, you'll be able to tell them all about what you're learning, and they'll be thrilled to see how their little girl is growing up.  I mean, really thrilled.

Second, about the kids you'll eventually meet -- you know, the ones in the other cities?  They'll totally relate to you, and you to them.  They'll tell you the things they're learning, and you'll tell them the things you're learning, and you'll all be really amazed at all the cool things you can learn about, and even do.  Not today, and maybe not this year, but over time, a few people here in our city may see a little gleam in your eye and a smile on your face.  They'll be genuinely curious about why you're so happy and beaming.  Those are the people who will be ready to hear about your after-hours online school.

I can't tell you what to do -- this is your decision."

As the girl sat in her chair across from the principal, she heard a song softly playing on his radio behind his desk...

<< go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz32I_GbpeU >>

As the song was ending, the girl looked outside...

felt the warmth of the sun on her face...

and with a little gleam in her eye...

she smiled a huge smile.