Reading Part 1 – “Pretending to Be Strong” (10 min)
When Daniel came to Malaysia to study at university, he felt excited and confident. The campus looked modern, and he liked meeting students from different countries. He told his parents, “Don’t worry. I will do well.”
After a few weeks, things became harder.
The lectures were fast, and the English was difficult to follow. During class discussions, he stayed quiet because he was afraid of making mistakes. His classmates were friendly, but he still felt alone.
At night, he looked at photos from home and missed his family. The homework increased, and he felt stressed. His family had worked hard to pay for his studies. He did not want to disappoint them.
When his mother called, he always said, “Everything is fine.”
But inside, he felt tired and discouraged.
One evening, after getting a low grade, he finally admitted to himself, “I’m not okay.” The next day, he told another international student how he felt. The friend said, “I feel the same.”
Daniel’s problems did not disappear. But he no longer felt alone.
Comprehension Questions (5–7 minutes)
- What challenges did Daniel experience?
- Why did he hide his struggles from his family?
- What made him feel alone?
- What happened when he shared honestly?
- Did his problems disappear immediately?
Part 2 – Reflection & Wisdom (8 min)
Daniel’s experience is common for many international students. Many people believe that being strong means solving problems alone and not showing weakness.
A Persian poet, Rumi, once wrote: “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
This means that pain is not always useless. Sometimes struggle helps us grow. When Daniel felt lonely and stressed, it forced him to be honest. His weakness helped him see that he needed support.
The Bible shares a similar idea: “Carry each other’s burdens.”
This verse teaches that people are not meant to live alone. Everyone has burdens — stress, fear, pressure. The Bible says we should share them with others. When Daniel talked to his friend, he did not become weaker. He actually became stronger because he was no longer carrying everything by himself.
Maybe real strength is not pretending to be okay.
Maybe real strength is allowing others to walk with us.