My father went to catch wild frogs. I was skinny and weak, and

Hearken, O seekers of wisdom, to the tale of Park Ji-sung, the humble warrior of the football fields, whose journey began not in splendor but in sacrifice and struggle. He recalls how his father, desperate to give him a chance at greatness, went into the wild to catch frogs, believing that their bitter juices would gift his son size and strength. Though the taste was foul beyond measure, the young Park drank, for within him burned the dream of becoming a footballer, and he knew that sacrifice must precede glory.

The origin of this story lies in the Korean tradition of devotion within families, where parents often endure hardship or seek unusual remedies to support their children’s futures. Park’s father, in love and desperation, turned to ancient beliefs about vitality and nourishment, hoping to transform his son’s frailty into endurance and vigor. This tale is not merely about frogs, but about the unyielding will of a family united in pursuit of a dream, and the willingness to endure discomfort for the sake of future triumph.

Consider the meaning of strength as described here. It is not only the strength of the body, though Park hungered for that to succeed in sport. It is also the strength of will: the strength to endure foul tastes, uncomfortable training, ridicule, and doubt, for the sake of a higher calling. The bitter draughts he swallowed were symbols of the trials that awaited him—the endless practices, the injuries, the sacrifices of comfort. To endure these, one must drink deeply of discipline and perseverance.

History echoes this truth. Recall the tale of Milo of Croton, the ancient Greek wrestler who trained by carrying a calf upon his shoulders each day, until the calf became a full-grown bull. What seemed absurd became the foundation of his legendary strength. So too did Park’s strange regimen of frog juice embody the principle that greatness requires devotion, even in ways that seem foolish to the world. What matters is not the method, but the willingness to endure and persist.

Emotionally, this story reminds us of the quiet sacrifices that underlie all visible success. When the world watched Park Ji-sung run tirelessly across the pitch for Manchester United, few saw the sacrifices behind the scenes: the father chasing frogs in muddy fields, the boy forcing down foul potions, the countless unseen moments of dedication. His greatness was not an accident but the fruit of discipline, sacrifice, and unyielding determination.

The lesson, O children, is clear: if you would achieve greatness, prepare to endure discomfort. The path to glory is paved not with ease but with bitter draughts and difficult choices. Whether it be in sport, art, learning, or service, be willing to pay the price, to sacrifice comfort today for strength tomorrow. Do not despise the humble beginnings, nor mock the strange sacrifices, for these are the foundations of enduring triumph.

O seeker of wisdom, take this teaching into your own heart. Like Park, accept the bitter taste of discipline, the unglamorous work, the unseen sacrifices. Know that strength, energy, and greatness are not given freely but won through endurance. And remember, as his father taught him through action: love, sacrifice, and perseverance are the greatest nourishment a dreamer can ever receive.

Finally, let this lesson endure: the bitter becomes sweet when it leads to triumph, and the weak may become mighty when sustained by discipline, sacrifice, and the unwavering support of love. As Park Ji-sung’s tale reveals, the true potion of strength is not in frog juice, but in the spirit of endurance and determination.