Born Eric Lewis Wright Jr., Charlamagne tha God is a significant figure in American entertainment and media. He was raised in a challenging environment in North Charleston, South Carolina, where it was difficult but not impossible to obtain resources like books. Charlamagne attributes the opening of doors that would have otherwise remained closed to literature, despite the difficulties he encountered.

Consider a person who lives on a large river's banks and cannot cross it with a boat or bridge. The river is a metaphor for all of the knowledge and opportunities that exist in the world outside of their immediate surroundings. Books were like little rafts that Charlamagne could construct himself, which would help him cross the river and discover what lay beyond.

Reading became an essential way for him to escape his everyday life in his early years. He was exposed to various ways of thinking and living through books, which gave him fresh perspectives. They also provided him with the means to more confidently and clearly express his ideas in writing or public speaking.

As Charlamagne's journey progressed, he advocated for education and personal growth among those going through similar struggles by using the knowledge he gained from reading. His message is unmistakable: no matter where you are in life, you can make big changes by investing in yourself by learning and pursuing knowledge.

The tale of Charlamagne demonstrates the effectiveness of self-education as a means of conquering hardship. By sharing his experiences, he inspires everyone to find their own rafts, whether it be through reading or other wisdom-gathering methods, so they, too, can access opportunities that may appear out of reach from their current position.