Maria was an intelligent and hardworking girl who loved to read books and always excelled in her academic tests. One day during a class lecture, Maria’s teacher asked the students, “Do you have any power?”

To this one of the students who always got first position in the school’s racing competition, raised his hand and said, “Yes ma’am my power is in my legs, I can run very fast!”

“Ok. Anyone else?” the teacher looked around waiting for some other answers. Maria then raised her hand and said, “Ma’am I have the power of knowledge. Whatever I have learnt from reading books and listening to classroom lectures, all this has contributed towards increasing my knowledge and giving me more wisdom.” As Maria finished, everyone in the classroom burst into laughter and made fun of her.

“Silent everybody!” the teacher ordered and said to Maria, “Yes my child you are right, and all those who are laughing at you will soon get to know that knowledge is indeed a power!” The teacher’s words of appreciation made Maria feel good but she could not forget the way her classmates were making fun of her.

The next day when Maria went to school, she saw a note on the notice board. ‘Who is the most intelligent student of our school?’ the headline read. The notice was about the annual quiz competition. Maria beamed with joy as she had found the way to prove to her classmates that she really does have a power — the power of knowledge!

Maria didn’t wait for a second and went to the organising committee of the quiz competition and got her name registered for participation.

The competition was to be held after a month so Maria engrossed herself in reading books of general knowledge. She studied day and night and was very confident on the day of the quiz.

The competition began and Maria responded to all questions correctly. She won the quiz contest with 100 per cent marks and got the title of ‘The most intelligent student of the school’. Along with this title, she also got a trophy and two years’ 100 per cent fee waiver.

The classmates of Maria were astonished at her success and were looking at her with embarrassment on their faces.

Maria went towards them and said, “My dear friends, physical strength is not the only power — real power lies in knowledge which does not weakened even with the passage of time.” Saying this Maria smiled and left for home to share her happiness with her family members.