In the sweltering heat of summer, I immersed myself in the pages of countless tomes. Among them, a particular narrative stood out, etching itself into my memory—“The Making of Steel.” As I closed the final chapter, my soul brimmed with reverence for the protagonist, Paul Kochkin, and his tenacious, self-sacrificing spirit that defied the odds.

Set against the backdrop of the October Revolution, the tale traces Paul’s transformative journey. Once a destitute and unenlightened youth, under the mentorship of a seasoned Bolshevik, Zhuhelai, he enlists in the Red Army. In the heat of battle, he is gravely wounded, losing sight in one eye. Yet, Paul's fervor remains undiminished as he throws himself into local railway construction under arduous conditions, completing it with clockwork precision. His body, worn out by ceaseless toil, betrays him, but with an iron will and the encouragement of his comrades, he battles his illness with unyielding determination. Even as blindness and paralysis overtake him, Paul refuses to succumb to a life of passivity. Instead, he wields a new weapon—the pen. Through spoken words, he brings to life his novel, "Born of the Storm."

Paul's life is a testament to the tenet that steel is forged through relentless tempering, for no path to growth is ever smooth. Reflecting on my own life, I recognize my tendency to recoil from tasks that weary me, to shy away from summits too steep to climb, to halt my steps when the run grows tough. In the face of future challenges and academic pursuits, I resolve to follow Paul's example, confronting each barrier with courage and a thirst for knowledge. Only by bravely overcoming every hardship and setback can I emerge truly victorious.

"How Steel is Tempered" has become a beloved classic to me. In times of adversity, when I am tempted to retreat or give in to despair, it is Paul's indomitable figure that I recall. I am resolved to forge myself into a person of true mettle, a real steel.