Hmmm! The first time I actually attempted to ride a bicycle, I was really confident that it was going to be very easy and fun. After all, I have witnessed a lot of children in my neighborhood riding in an effortless manner. To an extent that, Mama Kate's daughter, who lives just two blocks before my house, can even carry passengers on her bicycle without struggling, not even a little waggling or fumbling. "This must be really easy." so I thought.
@pixabay
"If Kate can actually ride a bicycle, why can't I?"
Later that friday evening, the neighborhood was alive with various activities going on already on the street. The air was filled with the delicious aroma of fried fish and akara from the nearby stall. Mama Chioma was arguing about the price of crayfish and pepper with her customers, the female children sat down in circles in excitement while the cool evening breeze blew their hair back and forth and against each others shoulders because they sat down locked-up in each other's arms, while chatting and laughing with themselves. The boys do not like gossiping. "So to speak." Therefore, they chose a fun activity by playing football and cracking jokes.They had the smell of sweat dripping profusely from their bodies. There were various buses zooming off with their conductors shouting, "Kpako! Lawanson! Hold your change oo!"
I had a bicycle gifted to me by my uncle, I have not given it a try since then.I dusted it, and adjusted the bicycle, checking necessary things. I Immediately mounted on it, tightened my grip on the handlebars, and prepared for an amazing ride. My name sake, Happiness. Stood beside me, holding the bike steady and slightly pushing me for a great ride.
"Okay, just relax and stay balanced," Happiness adviced.
I nodded in agreement but with a frightened voice, I said: "No problem, I've got this."
I placed my humble feet on the pedals, took a really deep breath, and--
" Wooow! "
For just a few minutes,I was actually moving, infact I was riding an actual bicycle like my neighbor, Kate. I felt confident and happy, the feeling was indeed an amazing one. However, this amazing feelings and confidence did not last because I started moving backwards😳. My bicycle wobbled uncontrollably, and I Immediately started fumbling, my tires were moving here and there, and before I knew it, I was already sliding backwards down the slope of our street. I was confused, I couldn't identify where the brake was anymore.
"Ah! Happiness exclaimed.
"The brake! The brake! Press the brake now!" she shouted again.
" Which one is the brake oo!" I asked, shouting while still wabbling about on my bike. This was hilarious and disgraceful at the same time because, the fear of falling did not make me realize that the brake was actually in front of me. My bicycle wobbled and headed straight for a pile of pure water sachet dumped by the roadside.
SPLATTER!
For a moment, there was silence. I sat there checking if I had any injuries. Thank goodness, there were none. The huge dump splashed dirty water all over my body and everywhere. Then the silence broke when a group of people who were passing by and witnessed how I flew like a "superwoman" straight into a trash dump, couldn't hold their laughter, pointing at me while at it, at least one of them remembered to say " sorry."
Immediately, Happiness rushed over to help me, while struggling to keep a straight face, to avoid getting me embarrassed. Lending me her hands to help me sit down and asked: " Babe, are you okay?"
Struggling to sit up, and immediately spat out a drop of questionable water that must have gotten into my mouth.I replied Happiness saying: " I don't think riding a bicycle is my calling."
The long held laughter in Happiness stomach got loose, she could no longer hold it, so she started laughing so much that I got infected by it and joined in🤣. We both got a good laugh that evening until our stomach and cheeks starts to hurt. She offered me her hand again, but this time, pulling me up.
"Stand up, Jare. You just need to practice more often. Nobody learns in one day." She comforted me.
I murmured while cleaning my dress: " I am sure I was sliding backwards instead of moving forward."
Happiness smiled and comforted me saying: " That means you are actually making good progress. Don't worry, with time, you will be a great rider."
NO QUICK FIXES IN LIFE
I was now determined to actually ride a bike like kate. For the next few weeks, I practiced constantly after school. Initially, I could barely balance the tires. Everytime I tried, I always find myself in an embarrassing situation-- like the time I almost rode into Mama Bolu's tray of fried groundnut and roasted plantain.
Heaven gracious! 😳
Thank goodness, I was able to hold myself back. shielding her market with my hands. I really felt like a "superwoman"
Chai! the protector of fried groundnut and roasted plantain. Duh!😜
After praising myself, I continued my ride to greatness. I kept having failed attempts after several rides. I Immediately slumped to the ground. "Happiness I am tired. I really don't think I can ever ride a bicycle, this bicycle life is not meant for me." I complained to happiness.
"Babe, do you think, I learnt how to ride a bike in just one day? I actually fell down several times, I destroyed many people's market on the street, I was beaten on many occasions. I sustained countless injuries. However, I kept practicing until i was better at riding today." Happiness replied encouragingly.
I sighed. "But I kept sliding backwards!"
"Exactly my point," Happiness said. "You must learn how to actually control and stop the slide from moving backwards instead of letting it control and determine your moving directions. "
I Immediately frowned. " But how can I possibly control my slides,? I don't know how to do that."
Happiness moved towards my bike, grabbed it and mounted on it to demonstrate to me.
"See babe, you have to balance first. Then you can now control your movement, even if you kind of move backwards, you Immediately use your brakes to navigate your movement. And Importantly, do not panic. Just stay focused, do adjustments were necessary and keep going."
This time I really got motivated. Then I stood up. Adjusted my bike, and gave it another try.
THE UNCONTROLLABLE EXCITEMENT
As always after school, I kept practicing every evening, and kept falling as usual. But this time I have recovered. Every single time I slide backwards, I would Immediately adjust, correct my initial movement and kept going.
One very calm evening, something amazing happened. I wasn't just riding anymore, I was actually moving smoothly, turning various corners like a professional cyclist. I was actually gliding like Kate my neighbor. I could not control my excitement. 🥹😂 My eyes broadened in surprise, I even lifted one hands and waved at my friend and couch in excitement. All the movement that once made me fall easily, now felt like it was natural to me.
I just kept on riding, while Happiness, my friend and namesake, stood at a distance with her eyes fixed on me like glue. She stood there happy for being patient with me and was proud of me for remaining persistent and the willingness to learn.
As I rode along the street, kate and other neighbors who laughed at me while I was falling into trash and dirty water, all hailed my name in astonishment. One of them said:
"Ah! Look Happy o! she has now risen from falling falling champion to bicycle expert!"
I was happy I never gave up. Even when I tried to on several occasions. I have learnt an important lesson in life--Sliding backwards do not mean failure, it simply means retracking and redirecting your steps and continue to move forward for greater achievements and success.
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thanks
This is an entertaining story and responds well to the prompt. You use humor to great effect in this piece, and your descriptions bring scenes alive so that we are chuckling along as we read.
We would like to make some editorial suggestions so that your writing might be even better. There are avoidable errors in the piece that interfere with its readability. Here are a few suggestions:
You may feel these errors are inconsequential. They are not. They add up and interfere with the readability of your piece. These errors are easy to catch. Not only would your story be better, but your curation reward would also be better.
So...great story, in need of some serious proofreading.
One more point: No emojis. These are not appropriate. Your words are supposed to express the meaning, not the emoji.
We think you have a knack for writing and for sharing your ideas with an audience. We would like to see you do that as effectively as possible.
We hope to read more from you in the future.
thanks alot,I will put that in mind