Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by sanjjeett
What this composition helps you practise
This story shows how to illustrate a proverb through events rather than merely explain its meaning. The narrative begins with the result, moves back in time to show how Vijay used education and practical knowledge, and ends by connecting his success directly with the proverb “Knowledge is power.”
Composition Prompt
Write a short story to illustrate the proverb ‘Knowledge is power.’
Composition at a Glance
Story Plan
Model Story
“Vijay Bhaiya Zindabad. Jeet mubarak”, shouted the motley crowd of people assembled at the stadium, to welcome their new leader, a tall, lean, strikingly handsome man, dressed in spotless white chooridar pyjama kurta walked up to the dais, raising his hands to acknowledge the greetings of the people. He was profusely garlanded by the elite of the town, who had come to honour their MLA. His bosom friend Piyush watched him from a distance, with tears in his eyes. He could not believe, that his modest and unassuming friend, had become a celebrity. He could not help recall Vijay’s words on returning to the village,“Knowledge is power my friend, see how I use it for our betterment.”
Vijay’s trek to glory was not all that easy. After completing his schooling in the village he went to Varanasi for higher education. Thereafter he completed his master’s degree in agriculture from Banaras Hindu University. His friend Piyush stayed back in the village, and took up a mundane job in the city nearby. Unlike other youths of the village Piyush returned to his native village, to put his knowledge to practical use, for the benefit of the villagers. Initially, his friends and peers rebuked him for wasting his talent in the god forsaken village, instead of taking up a job in the city. Unperturbed by criticism, Vijay continued to work on his farm applying his knowledge to improve the yield of his crops.
His scientific method of farming, soon caught the attention of the villagers. They came rushing to him, for advice on the type of crops to grow, and the ways to protect them from insects and pests. His willingness to help, and compassion for their well being, won their heart. Soon he became very popular, and people started coming to him, to resolve their personal problems. To improve the economic lot of the villagers he formed self-help groups, engaging them in poultry and dairy farming. He also set up an NGO to provide sanitation and a proper drainage system for the village.
To alleviate the problem of potable drinking water, he drew the attention of the district authorities, to install hand pumps in the densely populated part of the village. His knowledge of science came in handy, to produce gobar gas from cow dung. This became an alternate fuel for the overworked housewives of the village.
In a short span of five years, he transformed the village into a small town, having all the basic amenities of a city. His good work, soon caught the attention of the opposition party. Seeing a sure winner in him, they gave him a ticket to contest the election as their party candidate. The rest was history.Vijay got a thumping majority and emerged victorious in the elections thereby proving ‘Knowledge is power’.
Understanding This Story
The story opens at a high point
The first scene shows Vijay already being celebrated as a successful leader. This creates curiosity: the reader immediately wants to know how a modest village youth reached this position.
A flashback explains the journey
The narrative then moves backwards to Vijay’s education and return to the village. Using a flashback allows the story to begin dramatically while still explaining the events that led to the opening scene.
Knowledge is shown through action
Vijay does not become powerful merely because he has a degree. The story shows him applying agricultural and scientific knowledge to farming, sanitation, drinking water, fuel and village development.
The consequences grow steadily
The effect of Vijay’s knowledge expands from his own farm to other farmers, then to community welfare, and finally to public leadership. This escalation gives the story a clear sense of development.
The ending completes the proverb
The election victory brings the story back to the opening scene and makes the proverb meaningful through the plot. A proverb-based story works best when the final outcome feels earned by what happened earlier.
Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
Try It Yourself
Practice Prompt
Write an original short story that illustrates the proverb “Unity is strength.” Make sure the events of the story demonstrate the proverb clearly.
Write approximately 300–350 words.
Before You Submit
ICSE Composition Guidelines
For ICSE Examination Year 2027, the composition should be approximately 300–350 words. Question 1 carries 20 marks, and the specimen paper recommends spending no more than 30 minutes on it.
For a story-writing task, create a coherent story with a purposeful beginning, development and ending. The story must remain clearly connected to the proverb, title, opening line or situation given in the prompt.
Official ICSE 2027 English Syllabus
Official ICSE 2027 English Language Specimen and Draft Marking Scheme