Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Good morning, teachers and students!
At the beginning of the school term, let’s refresh our memory on a classic Aesop’s fable that I think all of you have heard long time ago. The story goes like this:
A hungry fox sees a rich bunch of purple grapes hanging high. He jumps high into the air to grab the fruit, but misses the branch. The fox tries again and again with running leaps, but fails every time. Tired and unable to reach them, he gives up and walks away, telling himself that the grapes are “sour” and not worth eating anyway.
In psychology, we call this the “Sour Grapes” mindset—downplaying something’s worth simply because we couldn’t achieve it. In contrast, there is the “Sweet Lemon” psychological defense mechanism, where we hold a sour lemon but convince ourselves it is the sweetest fruit that we wanted all along.
We often fall into these mindsets at school. When exam results fall short, we might have the sour grapes mindset and say, “Good grades don’t matter anyway”, or use the sweet lemon mindset and claim: “At least I didn’t fail completely, so it’s amazing”. While these mental shortcuts protect our pride temporarily, they hold us back from genuine growth.
Instead of relying on self-deception, let’s practice the “Awareness of Grace”, that is, shifting our focus from what we lack to the gifts we already possess. Every single one of you has been blessed with unique talents. Some do well in logic and science, others in arts, sports or leadership. Still others carry quiet, invaluable gifts like deep empathy, thoughtful listening, or steady perseverance under pressure.
You don’t need to envy someone else’s grapes, nor do you need to force yourself to pretend your lemons are sweet. Simply recognize your own gifts and appreciate the potential within you, then make the best use of them every single day.
True contentment is never an excuse for laziness or giving up. In your academic journey, the essential first step is to give your absolute best effort by actively engaging the unique gifts you have been given. Prepare conscientiously, study hard, and push your limits so you can look back with zero regrets.
Once you have given your all, let go of the need for comparison. You won’t need psychological excuses like “sour grapes” or “sweet lemons” because deep down, you know you honored your potential and did your absolute best. Celebrate your hard work, accept the final outcome with a peaceful mind, and be proud of your personal growth.
If you truly try hard to apply your blessed talents, you can find contentment and joy in all things. Recognizing your strengths, trying your hardest, and staying happy with your journey—that is the true secret to contentment and joy. I wish you all a wonderful school year ahead!
Ms Wong SM