As a group of frogs was travelling through the woods, two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs crowded around the pit and saw how deep it was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them.
However, the two frogs decided to ignore what the others were saying and they proceeded to try and jump out of the pit.
Despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up. That they would never make it out.
Eventually, one of the frogs took heed to what the others were saying and he gave up, falling down to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die.
He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?”
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
Along this UPSC journey, you may fall at multiple times at multiple places. Other frogs such as your relatives, naysayers, colleagues may say “I had told you this is not for you”, “IAS is only for those whose parents are Group A officers, not for you guys”, “There is no point in wasting your age by giving multiple attempts. Just get one safe job such as clerk, or some IT position, and settle down”. They will advise you to stop your struggle and accept the defeat. Internally, they want you to fail. If you clear this exam, their Ego will get hurt. They will become inferior to you. The herd doesn’t encourage any single person to Go Out and do the adventure. The same thing happens with Jonathan Livingston Seagull(if you remember).
Hence, it is you who has to become deaf to the negative comments of naysayers. You have to see their words and behaviours as cheers. It doesn’t matter whether it is the negative or positive situation you are surrounded by. You need to perceive everything as constructive to your Journey to the Success. After all, it is you who dreamt of reaching the peak. You have all the potential to clear it.
