The Mercury News – Esther Cepeda 
The Chinese believe in luck and fate, but their guiding philosophy is that anything is possible if you work hard enough. Teachers and parents start with the assumption that every child is able to become a disciplined, focused learner. Chu writes that children are then reminded at every turn that “if there’s a goal worth accomplishing, day-to-day life might be absolutely and miserably unpleasant for a spell. … Hard work is the most important thing.” (more)