After this, I took private lessons in Italian from an elementary

Grazia Deledda once said: “After this, I took private lessons in Italian from an elementary school teacher. He gave me themes to write about, and some of them turned out so well that he told me to publish them in a newspaper.” At first glance, these words seem to tell a simple story of a young girl receiving instruction. Yet hidden in them is the seed of greatness, for in these humble beginnings lies the birth of a future Nobel laureate in literature. Deledda’s reflection reveals to us that the path of genius often begins not in grand halls or academies, but in small rooms, with ordinary teachers, with modest assignments, and with a courage that transforms practice into destiny.

The teacher in her story did more than assign lessons. He recognized the fire in her words, the unique voice of a young woman who dared to express what stirred in her soul. By urging her to publish, he lifted her from the realm of private study into the realm of public creation. What began as exercises became offerings to the world. Thus, Deledda’s words remind us that the encouragement of even one guide, one mentor, can alter the course of a life and awaken the call of destiny.

The ancients spoke often of such beginnings. Socrates planted questions in the minds of youth, and though he himself wrote nothing, the seeds he sowed became the mighty works of Plato. Likewise, Aristotle’s tutelage of Alexander the Great began not with empire, but with lessons in philosophy, ethics, and rhetoric. In every age, great deeds spring not from sudden miracles but from daily themes of practice, small tasks embraced with seriousness, and the guidance of one who dares to say: “You can do more than you think.”

History too gives us vivid examples. Consider how Thomas Edison, before becoming a titan of invention, was withdrawn from formal schooling because his teachers thought him slow. His mother, a simple teacher herself, gave him lessons at home, encouraging him to explore, to question, to write. That encouragement, like the words given to Deledda, opened a door that the world would one day walk through. What seemed ordinary—private lessons, small exercises—became the foundation of extraordinary achievement.

The meaning of Deledda’s reflection is clear: greatness is not always recognized in its time, nor does it begin in obvious splendor. It is born quietly, in small acts of faith, in words written for the sake of practice, in lessons guided by the unseen hand of encouragement. When she submitted those early writings to the newspaper, she was not yet a Nobel laureate, not yet the celebrated voice of Sardinia—she was a student whose teacher believed in her. And that belief, coupled with her perseverance, carried her forward.

The lesson for us is powerful: never despise humble beginnings. The essays you write, the songs you practice, the small projects you complete—these may seem insignificant now, but they may be the stepping stones to your life’s great work. Seek mentors who encourage you, and when they give you themes to wrestle with, embrace them wholeheartedly. For within the discipline of small tasks lies the seed of greatness.

In your own life, take practical steps: write daily, even if no one reads it; create boldly, even if it feels small; seek feedback, and honor the voices of those who guide you. And above all, when your work is ready, share it. Submit it to the newspaper, the gallery, the stage, or the world. Do not wait until you believe yourself great—begin when you are small, for in that beginning lies your true power.

Therefore, remember Grazia Deledda’s story: “He gave me themes to write about, and some of them turned out so well that he told me to publish them in a newspaper.” Her greatness began with humble lessons, her destiny with small acts of creation. Let us take this wisdom to heart: that our practice today, though modest, may tomorrow become the legacy we leave to the world. For the flame of genius begins always as a spark, and it is in tending those sparks with faith and perseverance that we become who we were meant to be.