Wisdom story: How big of a splash you want to make in life is in your hands

One day, a young apprentice and his mentor were on one of their regular walks, discussing the apprentice’s hopes and dreams. The young man was full of ambition, eager to make a real impact in the world. As they strolled through the serene countryside, they came across a quiet pond, its surface smooth and undisturbed. As they stood by the water, the apprentice spoke of his desire to do something meaningful, something that would reach and influence many people. He longed to make a difference, to leave a legacy that would ripple across the world like waves in water. Hearing this, the mentor bent down, picked up a small pebble, and with a simple flick of his wrist, tossed it into the pond. The apprentice watched as tiny ripples spread outward in all directions. The sight fascinated him, and he eagerly said, “I want to do something like that, but bigger. I want my work to spread far and wide, influencing many. I want to make a real splash.” The wise mentor smiled and responded, “Then you’ll need something larger than a mere pebble.” Taking the hint, the apprentice looked around, found a rock, and hurled it into the water. The splash was larger, the ripples wider. He turned to his mentor with a triumphant grin and asked, “Big enough for you?”

But instead of answering, the mentor did something unexpected. Without a word, he began to remove his sandals, then his outer robe, and finally stood in nothing but his undergarments. The apprentice stared, bewildered. “What is he up to?” he thought. Then, without hesitation, the mentor took a few steps back, gathered his energy, and sprinted toward the water. With a mighty leap, he plunged into the pond, sending an enormous splash cascading in all directions. Water droplets rained down, and the still pond transformed into a swirl of ripples, waves, and motion. The apprentice, caught between amazement and amusement, called out, “What are you doing?” His mentor surfaced, shaking off the water with a laugh. Then, in a calm but firm voice, he explained, “You say you want to make an impact. You want to create something that truly reaches people. But real influence doesn’t come from throwing in a rock here and there. It comes from immersing yourself completely. If you truly want to make a difference, you cannot just skim the surface. You must throw yourself into your work with everything you have.”

The young apprentice stood in thoughtful silence. He had been so focused on the size of the stone, on creating the biggest ripple possible, that he hadn’t considered what the mentor was really trying to show him. Making an impact wasn’t about force alone, it was about dedication, passion, and total commitment. “So,” the mentor continued, “if you want to change the world, you must be willing to step in fully. Not just with words, not just with scattered actions, but with your whole being. That’s the difference between making ripples and truly making waves.” As they walked away from the pond, the apprentice was deep in thought. He realized that true change comes from those who are willing to immerse themselves in their purpose, without hesitation or fear. And from that day forward, he vowed to throw himself fully into his work not just to make a splash, but to truly change the world.