Chapter 15: Questions through a Poem
Alone in space, a drifter confronts memory, love, and loss through questions—seeking not escape, but a reason to exist again in the silence between stars.
INTRODUCTION
Under the Watchful Spirit, students begin by cultivating deep presence. They learn to listen without rushing to respond, observe beyond the obvious, and sense the subtle signals—both around them and within. Through daily journaling, they slow down enough to notice the thoughts, emotions, and patterns that usually go unexamined.
This phase is not just about absorbing information—it’s about training perception. It sets the foundation for a disciplined mind, capable of distinguishing noise from signal and reflection from reaction. We now step into the second phase here - the insight miner.
Transitioning to the Insight Miner
With sharpened awareness, we now step into the Insight Miner—where the mind begins to question, deconstruct, and connect. We move from sensing to investigating.
This stage opens with Questioning—the heartbeat of all discovery. Students are taught not just to ask, but to ask with intention, clarity, and direction. In a world where AI often simulates thought, the Insight Miner trains human minds to go deeper—resisting surface answers, uncovering assumptions, and seeking truth with precision.
From there, we introduce Research, Experimentation, and Connecting the Dots—methods that allow learners to test, compare, and synthesize their findings.
This is where the internal compass begins to form—guided by curiosity, but grounded in evidence. Let’s Start with the Story.
STORY BY WYBIE | CHALLENGES BY WYBIE
A. THE PASSAGE
Here is a translated version from the Original Vietnamese version of the young 14 year old writer - Wybie.
A soul, lost and drifting through time and space, searches for a beloved presence ("you") it once knew. Along the way, it experiences loneliness, transformation into light and stardust, and emotional pain so deep it becomes a battle with a faceless darkness. After ages of wandering, the soul finally reunites with "you" in a timeless, wordless embrace that feels like coming home. In the end, the soul is reborn—perhaps as a dream, a child, or a nebula—carrying forward love and memory into a new beginning.
Do read this , for Native Vietnamese speakers, we would love you to go through the Originals Provided on the Link just below this passage.
Adrift, alone in the cold embrace of the infinite universe.
I float like a fragment broken off from the machinery of existence, a tiny malfunction, a deviation unnoticed.
No more commands echo in my earpiece—only me and the invisible void, where light takes millions of years to arrive.
I should be afraid. But I’m not.
Here, I feel so small that there’s no longer any reason for fear.
Only when immersed in the stars can I truly feel the cold, mesmerizing beauty of space: a vibrant emptiness.Back on Earth, I once dreamed of escaping the human noise—saturated with hollow voices of the times, the chatter of cities, the judgmental eyes, the vague promises, the half-lived dreams. I never belonged there.
And now, in the absolute stillness of space, I begin to hear the first true sound:
my own voice echoing in my mind.
I remember.
I remember the moment I first chose to board this one-way voyage.
I remember your eyes, the waving hands of those who aged with me through the years, watching me at launch—silent but understanding.
They didn’t hold me back.
They just cried.
They cried so much that even in this eerie stillness, I seem to still hear their tears falling down cheeks.
That sound cannot travel in the vacuum, but it lives vividly within me, a lingering aftershock I cannot erase.I chose to leave.
Because I feared Earth.
Feared being understood, then forgotten.
Feared loving someone I couldn’t keep.
Feared time’s cruel current that never waits—stealing away the warm souls who once sheltered me.
And I feared myself.
Feared a version of me once weak, desperate to seek out distant planets—worlds I would never see if I kept walking Earth.Yet when the spaceship’s door closed, and their figures blurred behind cold glass,
I longed to go back, just once—just once—
to choke on the emotion for those people,
to wipe away their heavy tears,
to tell them I didn’t leave because I didn’t love them...
but because I was too weak to contain so much love.And then, it was just me,
alone, drifting where stars guided.
No body. No heart.
But somehow, pain still stabbed through like madness.
I belonged nowhere.
Not to Earth, not to this ship, not to any destination.
Just a quiet consciousness swept away by stardust into the deep abyss.
I drifted past radiant realms, stars burning briefly then fading as if they never were.
Everything spun to its own rhythm.
And I—silent, still—was the outsider to the current of creation.Loneliness was no longer a feeling.
It had become space itself.
I couldn’t cry, but the pain seeped out of me,
as if even the soul could bleed.
Each star was a distant gaze—beautiful, cold—beckoning, but never welcoming.
And in all that blinding light,
sometimes, I caught a familiar glimmer:
a memory of eyes, smiles, hands that once reached for me in fleeting moments.Maybe they’re still there—
somewhere I can no longer touch.
But even that brief flash
was enough to leave me breathless,
as if, in this void…
I had just glimpsed the shadows of the people I still long to meet again.I landed on a strange planet—
as strange as the land my mother no longer remembers.
Its surface held no sand, no stone—only a thin mist covering everything,
like a dream yet to form.
Each step I took left no trace,
as if even this planet hadn’t decided whether to accept me.
The sky wasn’t blue,
but cracked gray—splintered with threads of light,
as though it, too, struggled to exist in a shape not yet its own.I walked—without direction, without destination—
but something echoed within me,
something from the deepest mind,
yet never old.
Each gust of wind whispered softly—
I couldn’t tell if it came from me or from the vast beyond.I thought of my mother,
of the tiny room from childhood,
of her wrinkled hands gently on my forehead when I was sick.
Everything blurred with time,
like memories shredded by star winds.
And I realized—
the planet wasn’t foreign.
I had just strayed too far from all that was familiar,
so far I no longer recognized what once was home.Centuries have passed.
Still, I can feel the scent of that place I always called home.
Not for its terrain, weather, or scenery—
but because once, there were tender hands,
warm voices,
and eyes that made me feel alive.
But they’re all gone.
My mother, who cradled me in the fragmented dreams of childhood—
and you.
Even if for a fleeting moment,
I wished you would hold on to me.
So we could sit somewhere in this galaxy,
watching stars—
distant yet near,
eternal yet fragile like breath.But now it’s just me.
Me and memory.
No one left to call me back.
Only the voice of my heart echoing through eternity,
and every step on this alien world
resonating with the remnants of what once was.Things that time cannot erase—
but can never return.I lay down on the invisible layer of dust.
I didn’t cry.
I couldn’t cry.
Only silent screams within me,
echoing from the fragmented layers of a self no longer whole.I wonder…
will the universe ever bring me back to them again?
To family, friends… to you?I dream…
of the day soil smells of rain again,
when the air still carries the scent of fresh grass after storms,
and somewhere in birdsong,
a hand gently stirs me awake.I dream…
of being born again beneath a loving gaze,
where lullabies were never a luxury.
I dream…
of once more bathing in sunlight—
even if, here, that sun has been scorched by time,
leaving only a silence that nothing can fill.But if the universe still holds the things time has burned,
if light still carries fragments of souls like mine—
then maybe,
at some point in the vast beyond,
I’ll begin again.Maybe they’re still here—waiting for me to awaken.
But I’ll cling to this reality that now holds me captive.
I don’t want to wake.
Waking means forgetting,
leaving behind these stars, these incomplete memories—
and you.
And all the people I couldn’t keep.So I’ll stay.
I’ll lie here,
let dust thicken over memory,
let time drip upon this invisible form.
I will wait…
Wait another thousand centuries—
until time’s tide strikes my face and calls me back.
And when I’m allowed to open my eyes again,
I will search for you.I’ll find you in a smile—
I’ll find you in the passing smile of a stranger on a distant world,
in a brief embrace at some train station of a new civilization.
I’ll find you—
and the people I once called family—
beneath a sun that never fades.
And then I’ll disappear too.
Peaceful and brutal,
like time—
like all those years I wandered the cosmos alone.
Nothing left to cling to.
Nothing left to hold.
I’m not torn apart.
Not erased.
Just becoming one with what I once looked up to:
light, stardust, the cold wind between planets that never bore my name.Once more…
I open my eyes.
No body—
but a heart, beating.
Living.
Not for blood,
but for something calling to me softly—
like a distant song carried by warm wind.I don’t remember who I am.
I don’t know where this is.
But in this misty light,
I feel something achingly familiar—
something I’ve been seeking through all the loneliness of reality.And maybe, somewhere…
they, too, feel this bittersweet aftertaste.Our eyes finally meet—
tender.
I don’t ask how long you’ve waited.
You don’t ask how long I’ve drifted.
I just run.
Run madly like a starving beast,
as if all the pain in me finally found a place to unravel.I throw my arms around you—
a hug with no flesh,
but heavy,
as though the whole universe is folding in.I cry.
The tears don’t fall to the ground—
they dissolve into the light,
into space,
like the final rain of a barren planet.I see my beloved family,
see myself—
small, naïve—
waiting beneath a tree that never existed,
waiting… to live again.And this time,
I will live fully.
No more fear.
No more missing out.Because I know:
no matter how vast the universe,
no matter how many centuries of pain,
I—and they—and you—
will answer it with a thousand songs.But before long,
that haunting darkness steals them away again.I run.
I run madly.
I’m no longer me—
just a storm of emotions choked by countless lifetimes.My fists strike.
Strike at the darkness now shaped as a human—cold, faceless, heartless.
My hands tear.
Tearing him apart, piece by piece,
as if tearing away pain,
tearing away the years of silent waiting,
tearing away the memories that cling like glue,
tearing away the tears never shed—
from eyes now stained crimson by sunset—
tearing away the hatred that chewed my soul
each time your image faded with the years.I don’t know if I’m striking him—
or myself,
the weak self who once sat silently in sorrow.I scream.
Not from a hoarse throat stuffed with sorrow—
but from burning muscles, igniting like fire.And then… I stop.
No darkness.
No light.
Just me, once more, kneeling in the void.
Panting.
Shaking.
Drained.And in that still moment,
a hand rests on my shoulder—
light as the first spring breeze on a dead planet.Your voice whispers,
not urging me to rise,
not blaming:
“After all this time… you still want to cling to the dark?”Following the call of my heart,
I scream—
one last roar to purge all lingering darkness from within,
like a flame flaring before fading.Then I run into you,
hug you,
hold you tight,
as if letting go would cause everything to vanish again.You say nothing.
Just wrap your arms around me.We stand there—
no time, no space—
only two hearts beating in harmony.I feel your heartbeat echo through me,
each thump gentle like wind,
yet heavy with all the years gone by.And that is enough.
Because I know...
Original passage from Wybie below,
JOIN US THIS WEEK ON 26 APR @ THE EXPO and let’s discuss your academic notes on Questioning from the INSIGHT MINER module. ZOOM ID : 769 712 5558 (click ZOOM for the link or use the ZOOM ID)
PASS CODE : MEET
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM SINGAPORE TIME
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM VIETNAMESE TIME
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM INDIAN STANDARD TIME
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM OMAN TIME
The agenda this week
score board - Self reflection for Wybie and Mihf
challenges for the week
practical use of school knowledge.
New chapter 16 - a New module and Topic awaits : The INSIGHT MINER - Questioning
B. THE CHALLENGE - Questions Are Us
Questions are not just tools—we are our questions. They reflect our values, our thought processes, and the very core of our curiosity. The way we ask, reframe, and direct questions ultimately defines how we grow.
Inspired by Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle—Why, How, and What—we can train our questioning ability as a path to deeper thinking and purposeful learning.
Why Questions Matter
At the heart of every meaningful journey lies a well-formed question. These questions don’t just seek answers—they shape who we become. When we ask with purpose, we unlock:
Curiosity: The innate desire to explore and understand.
Intention: Clarity on why we’re asking.
Direction: Knowing who to ask and how to ask to get the insight we need.
The Traits We Build Through Questioning
Curiosity : The inner drive to explore, understand, and challenge the unknown.
Clear Intention : Knowing the goal or purpose behind a question.
Ask the Right Question : Framing inquiries to target the right insights or outcomes.
Reframe Questions : Rewording to explore different angles or uncover deeper truths.
Ask the Right Person : Directing questions to those with the knowledge or lived experience.
Depth : Going beyond surface-level answers to uncover root causes and implications.
Time-Sensitive : Aligning questions with the moment’s urgency or context.
Follow-Up Questions : Building upon previous responses for layered understanding.
Open-Mindedness : Questioning without bias; being open to unexpected or uncomfortable answers.
If you notice any inconsistencies in these traits, please let us know so we can review and improve them. When reaching out, kindly reference the specific chapter for clarity.
How Questions Help Us
Questions fuel not just learning—but transformation. They sharpen our reasoning, connect dots across disciplines, and empower independent thinking.
They are a compass in uncertainty, a bridge in conversations, and a lens through which we see clearer.
Connection to Academics
Your academic subjects are not just about grades—they are mindset gyms.
Each subject builds a different mental muscle:
Math strengthens logic and pattern recognition.
Science develops experimental thinking and cause-effect understanding.
Literature deepens empathy and interpretation.
History hones perspective-taking and system thinking.
And behind every subject lies questions—the engine of mastery.
When you ask better questions, you train your brain to think better.
So tell us—how does each subject you study challenge the way you think?
What part of your brain—and mindset—gets stronger?
Pick atleast a few subjects this week — Math, Science, Drama, or any that speaks to you — and use questions and how deep it was to track how it challenges and grows your mindset.
Ask yourself: what was the quality of my questions during my subjects - was that a why, how or a what
Let us about it during your session.
MORE READS…
C : THE LEARNING SPACE – SESSION SUMMARY
26 April 2025
Facilitator: ELF001
Theme: A Journey Led by Questions
INDEX
1. RACI performance
2. Sessions Overview
3. Evaluation
4. Wrapping Up
1. RACI performance -
Wybie did a last minute leave without adequate backup preparation. But what was even more alarming was the planning content - for the RACI was not updated - this is a serious non compliance from MIHF.
MIHF - needs to correct this and ensure the week is completed and report is made within Sunday every week. This clearly shows a major disconnect in the followup. SAHN would also need to ensure such procedures are not skipped.
2. Sessions Overview
If there was one invisible thread weaving through today’s session, it was the spirit of questions — the ones we ask, the ones we avoid, and the ones that shape the depth of our thinking.
It was not a session about finding fast answers. It was a session about learning to live inside questions.
The session opened with ELF001 welcoming everyone and presenting the agenda for the day. She confidently outlined the activities, but a critical piece was missing — the Mindfulness session that had been a consistent part of previous gatherings. Mr. SAHN quietly and professionally stepped in to highlight the omission, steering the group back on course without judgment. This subtle moment already reflected a deeper principle: true leadership notices unasked questions before they become visible problems.
Following this, Mr. SAHN attempted to delegate the mindfulness breathing exercise to JFP, trusting that previous repetitions had built enough familiarity. However, JFP openly admitted he wasn’t ready to guide the exercise yet. This honest confession revealed another critical lesson: sometimes the bravest question is the one we ask ourselves — Am I ready? Am I prepared?
Rather than forcing the situation, Mr. SAHN pivoted quickly, playing an audio recording that guided participants through a 5-finger breathing practice. The session re-centered, and participants were reminded not just to follow breathing techniques today, but to practice self-regulation independently in the future. Beneath the surface, a larger question echoed: How often do we pause to breathe, to notice, and to reset?
The energy shifted as ELF001 introduced the day’s main speaker, Mr. DAV79. Known for his dynamic engagement style, DAV79 did not begin with facts or theories. Instead, he told a personal story about his 17-year-old nephew, Joshua. When asked to study and generate questions about his learning, Joshua would simply respond with a single word: “Why?”
At first glance, "Why" seems like a perfect question — the kind of question educators long for. But DAV79 challenged the group to dig deeper. Was Joshua's "Why" born from genuine curiosity? Or was it, in truth, an act of quiet resistance — a shield against deeper engagement?
This led into an exploration of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle — the three layers of questions:
What: defines actions and observable behaviors.
How: explores methods and processes.
Why: uncovers purpose and intent.
Participants were asked to reflect: Where do our questions usually stop? Are we brave enough to reach the “Why”?
Moving into the interactive segment, DAV79 challenged each participant to craft their own questions based on the session’s theme.
Richard thoughtfully reflected on Joshua’s behavior, initially suggesting curiosity. Yet, through dialogue, it became clear that Joshua’s question lacked depth — it was more emotional than intellectual.
BLC OP highlighted the emotional frustration hidden behind the simple "why," showing a growing awareness of the layers behind questions.
Emma, despite language challenges, shared her experience with struggling to form meaningful questions during math lessons, demonstrating that confusion itself can be a gateway to better inquiry.
Minh Anh, unfortunately, faced technical difficulties and missed portions of the story, limiting her engagement.
Even the absences and silences in the session raised unspoken questions: What happens to collective learning when some voices are missing? How do we carry the responsibility to contribute?
The second half of the session transitioned into challenge presentations, where participants showcased their creativity around assigned tasks.
JFP led with a wildly imaginative story involving a Komodo dragon. His creativity sparked laughter and amazement, reminding everyone that imagination is fueled by daring to question reality.
BLC OP followed with a denser, more layered narrative. His story didn’t provide easy answers but instead required listeners to sit with discomfort and ambiguity — a hallmark of true critical thinking.
ELF001 presented last. Although her story struggled with coherence, she bravely introduced multiple endings, demonstrating a willingness to question traditional linear storytelling formats.
Their presentations illustrated an important truth: even when given the same challenge, different minds ask different questions and explore different paths.
Meanwhile, Noah — previously assumed to be part of the group — was clarified as absent and uninvolved, emphasizing the importance of active presence in collaborative learning.
Following the presentations, Mr. SAHN played the "Thought for the Day" video. Typically, Miss BCDF would have guided a reflection discussion afterward, but her absence left a unique opening:
Participants were invited into silent questioning — what does this message mean to me, personally?
It was a fitting end to a session that asked everyone not to rush toward conclusions, but to sit longer inside thoughtful exploration.
Finally, MIHF introduced the new challenge for the following week, encouraging everyone to stay curious and prepare for deeper engagement.
Core Lessons from the Session:
Not all questions are created equal: A true question carries intent, reflection, and a desire for deeper understanding — not just a reflex.
Leadership shows in noticing gaps: From Mr. SAHN’s correction of the agenda to JFP’s honest admission of unreadiness, true growth appeared when participants noticed, adapted, and responded to gaps.
Creativity is questioning reality: JFP’s wild story and ELF001’s multiple endings demonstrated that innovation is born when we ask "What if?"
Learning requires sitting with ambiguity: BLC OP’s deep story reminded everyone that good questions often don’t have immediate answers.
Silence can be a form of reflection: Emma’s struggles and the missing voices in the session showed that absence or confusion can sometimes surface the most powerful questions about readiness, contribution, and belonging.
Challenge Summary
1. JFP’s Challenge Summary
Story:
Told a creative, imaginative story about being bitten by a Komodo dragon.
It was vivid, playful, and sparked immediate excitement and curiosity from listeners.Questions Asked:
"How did you come up with such a creative and unexpected idea?"
Participants were surprised by the randomness and vividness of the Komodo dragon plot.
This opened up a reflection: What kinds of questions do we ask ourselves when we create something new? (Are we questioning the norms enough?)
Key Reflection:
JFP’s storytelling showed that wild creativity often comes from daring to ask "What if?" without fear of being wrong.
2. BLC OP’s Challenge Summary
Story:
Presented a deep, layered, and more serious narrative.
His story was complex, causing the room to go silent — not because it was boring, but because it demanded careful thought.Questions Asked:
"What message were you trying to convey through your story?"
Listeners felt there were many hidden layers but needed help unpacking them.
"Why did you choose such a heavy tone compared to others?"
Participants noticed the contrast between BLC OP's approach and JFP's light-hearted creativity.
Key Reflection:
BLC OP’s story demonstrated that good questioning is not always about quick excitement — it's about sitting with complexity and allowing the story to stretch our minds.
3. ELF001’s Challenge Summary
Story:
Shared a story that had multiple possible endings but lacked coherence at some points.
While the execution was scattered, the idea of exploring many outcomes was bold and different.Questions Asked:
"Why did you decide to explore different endings instead of one single path?"
Participants were intrigued but slightly confused by the branching narrative.
"How did you choose which outcomes to present?"
Prompted reflection on decision-making in storytelling — When do we stick to one answer, and when do we explore many?
Key Reflection:
ELF001’s challenge highlighted that sometimes the question is not "Which ending is right?" but rather "What can I learn from exploring many possibilities?"
4. Richard and Emma
Note:
Richard and Emma did not present challenge stories, but participated actively in the questioning and reflection led by DAV79.Questions They Engaged In:
Richard responded to DAV79’s story about Joshua and the "Why?" question.
Richard suggested Joshua might be naturally curious — leading to a deeper discussion on the difference between real curiosity and emotional resistance.
Emma reflected on her struggles with math and asking questions when confused.
She surfaced the insight that sometimes confusion itself is the beginning of good questioning.
5. Minh Anh
Note:
Minh Anh did not present a story challenge, due to technical issues and difficulty following parts of the session.Engagement:
Minimal engagement due to volume/microphone problems.
No direct questions asked related to challenge content.
3. Evaluation
Each participant’s storytelling or discussion surfaced a different type of relationship with questioning:
JFP → Playful exploration: What if?
BLC OP → Deep ambiguity: What does this really mean?
ELF001 → Open-ended curiosity: Why only one answer?
Richard & Emma → Real-time reflection: Am I asking deep enough questions?
Minh Anh → (Technical absence = silent reminder: Without presence, no questioning or reflection can happen.)
1. JFP
Strengths: High curiosity and open-mindedness (his Komodo dragon story was imaginative and unrestrained).
Weaknesses: Lacked strong structure (intention) behind questions or storytelling; follow-up and reframing were limited.
Overall: Natural explorer, but needs to sharpen focus and question-building discipline.
2. BLC OP
Strengths: Strong depth, clear intention, and ability to sit with complex ideas. His story showed thoughtfulness and subtle layers.
Weaknesses: Needs to develop quicker reframing and slightly sharper follow-up questioning.
Overall: Deep, methodical thinker who benefits from polishing responsiveness and versatility.
3. ELF001
Strengths: Good curiosity and willingness to experiment with multiple story outcomes.
Weaknesses: Coherence and clear targeting (intention) were lacking. Did not frame or follow-up questions sharply.
Overall: Creative risk-taker, but needs stronger structural thinking and purpose alignment.
4. Richard
Strengths: Open-minded, responsive, and directed his questioning appropriately.
Weaknesses: Stayed at a safer, surface-level engagement; deeper and more courageous questioning needed.
Overall: Solid contributor, but needs to push toward deeper inquiry and riskier questioning.
5. Emma
Strengths: Natural curiosity about learning, especially in personal struggles (e.g., math confusion).
Weaknesses: Confidence and articulation in forming and reframing questions were limited.
Overall: Emerging curiosity, but needs support in strengthening language precision and critical exploration.
6. Minh Anh
Strengths: Presence was limited. Small glimpses of curiosity, but disrupted by technical issues and focus lapses.
Weaknesses: Lacked clarity, focus, questioning depth, timing, and follow-through.
Overall: Needs development in all traits; technical readiness and mental engagement must improve first.
4. Wrapping Up
As the session came to a close, MIHF stepped in to outline the upcoming focus:
“For next week, we’ll continue working on questioning. The next step will involve applying your questions to different types of challenges. Please check the new assignment posted — and try reflecting deeper, not just asking surface-level questions.”
He gently reminded the group:
Reflect further on today's session, especially on the difference between curiosity and clear intention.
Prepare for the new questioning challenge, available now for review.
Keep practicing how to frame, reframe, and deepen your inquiries over the week.
After MIHF’s remarks, Mr. SAHN echoed a closing thought:
“Today was not about rushing to answers. It was about building the courage to live better questions.”
The session closed with a quiet but steady momentum — a reminder that while questions may feel uncomfortable, they are the beginning of all real learning.
The next chapter will push participants even further: transforming questions into creative actions.
Everyone was encouraged to read the next chapter and begin preparing for the upcoming challenge. Participants were reminded not to leave it until the last minute, with the hope that next week we could see full presentations from everyone, including Emma, Richard, and Minh Anh.
In Singapore, the poem is considered to be of a secondary 2/3 level. This is a really good and deep poem, but we might have less thoughts and more shallow responses coming in from anyone below a secondary 2/3 level in Singapore standards
I think I don't fully understand the story but I also feel like I get some emotions maybe from the story.