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The true price of intelligence

A life of purpose not just intelligence

By Grace AdeoyePublished 9 months ago 3 min read
2
The true price of intelligence
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Elyis resided in Willowbrook, a peaceful community surrounded by undulating hills and a tranquil river. It was clear from an early age that Elyis was exceptionally bright. His mind was a never-ending quest for knowledge, and his eyes shone with inquisitiveness.

The exceptional intelligence of Elyis caught the attention of his parents Betty and Joe. At age three they provided him with astronomy books and fostered his natural curiosity. When he was five years old, Elyis began solving difficult mathematical equations for enjoyment.

Elyis intellect grew stronger as the years went by. He readily performed well at school, keeping up with his contemporaries in his thirst for knowledge. His teachers complimented him, and his proud parents glowed with joy, thinking their son was destined for greatness.

Yet, as Elyi's intelligence soared, so did the price he paid. While other children reveled in the joys of youth, he spent countless hours studying, researching, and perfecting his skills.

As he entered high school, the demands on Elyis brilliance grew. Do you remember the wise words; "The more you go the complex it becomes". That was Elyis condition.
He tackled advanced coursework, participated in prestigious competitions, and earned scholarships. His achievements were celebrated, but the weight of expectations bore down upon him.

One chilly autumn evening, Elyis sat alone in his room, surrounded by textbooks and a computer screen filled with equations. His parents, worried about their son's well-being, knocked softly on the door.

"Elyis, it's time for dinner," Betty said gently.

"I'm not hungry, Mom," he replied, his voice weary.

Joe stepped in. "You've been at it all day, son. You need a break."

Elyis looked up, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. "I can't, Dad. I have to finish this project."

His parents exchanged worried glances but decided to let him be. They knew that he was chasing something elusive, something that seemed beyond reach even to them.

Years passed, and Elyis brilliance continued to shine brighter because he never give up. He earned a scholarship to a prestigious university, where his talents were celebrated. Professors were astounded by his intellect, and he became the youngest graduate student in the history of the institution.

Yet, Elyis brilliance had extracted its toll. His isolation had deepened, his social skills had withered, and his youthful years had slipped away, unnoticed. He was a genius in every sense, but he was also a prisoner of his own mind.

One evening, as the sun cast long shadows over the campus, Elyis received a call that would change his life forever. His mother's voice trembled on the other end of the line.

"Elyis, it's your father," she choked out.

Fear gripped his heart. "What happened, Mom?"

Tears streamed down Betty's face as she delivered the devastating news. Joe, Elyis father, had suffered a heart attack and passed away suddenly.

Elyis world shattered. He rushed home, but it was too late. The man who had nurtured his brilliance, who had sacrificed his own dreams to support his son's, was gone. Guilt gnawed at Elyis soul, for he had been too absorbed in his pursuits to spend precious moments with his father.

In the quiet of the night, amidst grief and regret, Elyis realized the true price of brilliance. He had sacrificed the warmth of human connection, the joy of simple pleasures, and the love of his family for the pursuit of knowledge and success.

Elyis vowed to change, to honor his father's memory by living a life with purpose, not just intelligence. He began to reach out to old friends and make new ones. He embraced laughter, savored the beauty of nature, and learned to love, not just with his mind but with his heart.

Elyis brilliance remained, but he no longer let it define him. Instead, he allowed it to illuminate his path toward a more balanced and meaningful life. He realized that true brilliance was not solely measured by ones intelligent quotient but by the depth of one's humanity.

In the end, Elyis discovered that the true price of brilliance was not in its pursuit but in the wisdom to balance it with love, connection, and the simple joys of life. And in that discovery, he found a peace that had eluded him for so long.



Sci FiPsychologicalLovefamily
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About the Creator

Grace Adeoye

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  • Grace Adeoye (Author)9 months ago

    Intelligence, brilliance should not define you as a person, you must learn to balance life and live life conscious of purpose. Embrace purpose. Read, Like and Comment your thoughts, That will mean a lot to me. Thanks.

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