July 23

July 23 Students at the academy must never assume that any single teaching is unquestionably correct. That is one of the academy's fundamental principles. It is important to stand firm in your own beliefs, but refusing to listen to others is nothing more than stubbornness. But what if, just what if, something you had protected for many years came under threat at the hands of another? What should you do then? July 29 I gathered my father, Professor Cliff, and Clorince to discuss the Dim Tree Spirit. It became so consumed by its desire to protect the forest that it began to see everyone who approached as an enemy. Its desire to protect was not wrong. But once that desire turned into hatred, it lost sight of its purpose altogether. Perhaps being "dim-witted" does not mean lacking intelligence, but closing one's heart so tightly that no other voice can reach it. I should teach the students not only to stand by their convictions, but also to listen to what others have to say.