The next day, I had my Elocution Competition. I pinned my faith on my father to write the speech. He was knee deep in at writing speeches. He gave me the speech I had to say. It was beautiful and on the other side, it was difficult to learn. I burned my midnight oil and started practicing because I wanted that by hook or by crook, the speech should be learnt perfectly by me. I was not distracted by anything and kept on learning the speech. Surprisingly, I did not even eat anything, I didn’t realize I was hungry until morning. I knew everything like the back of my hand. The next day arrived and I was on tenterhooks. I developed a cold feet, so I kept my fingers crossed. We had arrived at the spot of the competition. There were about fifty participants, and some of them were really challenging.
They started the competition on the given time. Other participants were making mistakes now and then, except for the ones who were really good at telling speeches. Nearly an hour later, they announced my name. My chance to start my speech had arrived. The floor of the stage was as slippery as a snake. I looked everywhere. What a crowd! I was astonished. There were fifty participants, but the crowd seemed as if there were hundreds of them. Three judges had their sharp and dangerous eyes rested on me. Everyone lent their ears to me. I was so nervous that I could not explain the feeling.
I was saying my speech when I was purposely distracted by a jealous participant, as he was green with envy with me. I acted as if he was not present there. Thank God! I did not stop or forget anything due to his distraction. Finally, I completed my speech. I had not stopped anywhere in between and had made no mistakes. Everyone appreciated me. I had a cake walk. I showed my true colours and came through flying colours. Everyone thought I was as clever as a chimpanzee. I was a pie in the sky. There were more eleven speeches after mine to be said. Then came the worst and the most nervous situation – the results. I had butterflies in my stomach and was extremely apprehensive. I just said,’Aal is Well’ to my heart and at once the tension for my results disappeared. Then they announced, “The first prize goes toooooo…………..Nakshatra Shah!” Was this what I heard? Did I hear the right words? Hundred smiling faces stared at me. I immediately knew that yes, I was right. I had a cherry on the cake. I walked as proud as a peacock. I received a trophy. I was floating on the air and was at sixes and sevens. There was a feather on my cap. This was truly a great day for me.
Nakshatra Sanjay Shah 