If you are a curious person and never gotten into trouble before, I can easily describe you as a curiously meek individual. In fact, curiosity is simply another adjective to describe a certified trouble finding, pokenosing individual. And he who finds trouble will see one, afterall "an inquisitive/curious monkey gets a bullet through the head."
In like manners, a curious mind can also be a willing mind, hungry to learn and make meaningful impact. And he who wishes to learn will have his curiosity/willingness leading him to some highly interesting or incredibly dark places. On several occasions, the curiosity of a willing learner plunges him into an abyss.
As a child, I was more quiet than curious. I asked questions, but not on regular occasions. My case wasn't helped by the culture that relegates little kids to the position of mere listeners and none speakers around adults. Back then, asking a presumably silly question will get you a stern look; heck, I've been spanked for asking many questions before. Ever since, I learnt to keep my mouth shut.
On getting to the senior secondary school, I was encouraged to ask questions as an aspiring scientist. Our chemistry teacher back then, Mr. Oladele always said to us, "curiosity is an important characteristic of a scientist. If you are not curious, you won't get answers to science and life's most important questions." With that, I reawaken my hibernating sense of curiosity.
Well, my first act with the renewed curiosity dragged me back into the hole it was - it got me in trouble. It happened that we were having a Biology class and I decided to ask a question about chromosomes. I was expecting good answers to my curious question only to be savagely mocked by the teacher. He didn't answer my question, instead he replied with another question to prove that my question was more stupid than smart.
Of course I supplied the wrong answer to his question and was roundly laughed at by everyone in the class. Since then, my sense of curiosity returned to hibernation. For the remaining two and half years I spent in senior school, I never asked or answered any question in the class. I'd rather have a teacher punish me for lack of response than make me look stupid again.
The event that was supposed to break me actually made me a better person in some ways. Due to the fact that I know I may get mocked again for asking questions, I found a way to satisfy my curiosity : instead of asking people questions, I search for the answers myself. Though it has made some situations difficult for me since no man is an island, it has also helped build me some very important life skills.
Despite my experience, one of the things I've taught people around me is to be openly curious. An openly curious soul will get into trouble or mocked at one time or the other, but the advantage of being openly curious far outweighs the disadvantage. A curious soul will make many mistakes, but he will have many more rights than wrongs.
Be openly curious. Explore!
