Questions That Build Tomorrow

In the bustling town of Crestwood, where busy streets hummed with stories and daily routines, lived a young college student named Zayan. Unlike many students, Zayan wasn’t dreaming of becoming a doctor or an engineer—he dreamed of becoming a journalist who used interviews to understand the world. To him, interviewing someone wasn’t just asking questions. It was discovering a hidden universe in every person.

His journalism teacher, Mr. Ray, noticed Zayan’s curiosity and decided to give him an important task.
“You will interview someone who influenced this town,” he said. “Choose wisely. The best interview is not with the most famous person, but with the person who holds wisdom.”

Zayan thought hard. Famous business owners, well-known teachers, even athletes came to mind. But there was one person he always noticed in the morning—a quiet old man who cleaned the town’s main library garden. He was never in a hurry, never angry, and always smiling politely. People passed him every day, never wondering who he was.

So, Zayan made his choice.

The next morning, armed with a notebook, recorder, and a heart full of nervous questions, he walked toward the library garden. The old man was trimming bushes with careful hands.

“Sir… may I interview you? My name is Zayan,” he asked politely.

The man looked surprised. “Me? I am no one important.”

“That’s exactly why I want to talk to you,” Zayan replied with a smile.

The old man laughed softly and agreed. They sat on two wooden chairs near the garden fountain. His name was Mr. Haleem, and he had worked as the gardener for thirty years. Zayan began the interview with simple questions, asking about his job and routine.

But as minutes passed, the simple conversation turned deeper.

“What keeps you smiling every day?” Zayan asked.

Mr. Haleem paused, eyes reflecting memories. “Because life is like a garden… If you care for it patiently, it blooms. People get busy chasing big things, but they forget small joys. Those are the seeds of peace.”

Zayan felt something shift in his heart. He wasn’t just receiving answers—he was receiving lessons.

“Have you ever dreamed of becoming someone else?” Zayan asked.

“No,” replied the old man. “Dreams are not always about what you want to be, but who you want to become. I chose honesty over fame, patience over rush, and service over pride. That is enough.”

The interview lasted for an hour. Zayan wrote quickly, feeling that every word was precious. When he finished, he thanked Mr. Haleem and turned off the recorder.

“You asked good questions,” the gardener said. “You did not interview a job, you interviewed a person. That is real journalism.”

Zayan walked home with a calm heart. He realized interviewing wasn’t about clever questions, but honest listening.

A week later, his interview was published in the college journal. Readers were moved—many had seen Mr. Haleem every day, yet never knew the wisdom behind his smile. Students visited the library garden just to greet him, and teachers praised Zayan for choosing someone humble yet deep.

But the greatest reward wasn’t the praise. It was the lesson he carried:

Behind every ordinary life, there is an extraordinary story—if we ask with respect and listen with sincerity.

And so, Zayan understood something beautiful: Interviews don’t just reveal truths about others. They also reveal truths about ourselves.