The Peoples' Institute for Re-thinking Education and Development

The Student's Prayer

DonÔÇÖt impose on me what you know,

I want to explore the unknown

and be the source of my own discoveries.

Let the known be my liberation, not my slavery.

The world of your truth can be my limitation;

your wisdom my negation.

DonÔÇÖt instruct me; letÔÇÖs walk together.

Let my riches begin where yours ends.

Show me so that I can stand

on your shoulders.

Reveal yourself so that I can be

something different.

You believe that every human being

can love and create.

I understand, then, your fear

when I ask you to live according to your wisdom.

You will not know who I am

by listening to yourself.

DonÔÇÖt instruct me; let me be.

Your failure is that I be identical to you.