I woke up one morning to the sound of quick footsteps just outside. It was as if someone was running. Out of curiosity, I went out to see for myself who it was. Just like I guessed, someone was running, and it was my little cousin, Grace. I watched as she raced from one spot to another, timing herself in the process.
Each time, she would get increasingly frustrated that she wasn't completing her runs in a shorter time.
Grace always had so much interest in athletics. She loved to run. It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that she has been running since she was born. Grace stood and took her first steps way earlier than she was expected to. Incidentally, she had the build of an athlete. Grace had been selected by her school to represent them in the race category of an interschool sports competition.
After what felt like an eternity watching her run, I called her over.
"I think you should take a break, Grace" I said.
"I need to improve my speed and endurance. I'm not at the level I want to be yet. I can't rest yet." she replied
"Do you think you'll still be able to race if you get injured or collapse? Take a break and continue later" I insisted.
Grace heeded my advice. In the next couple of days, I watched Grace train and got frustrated. I knew it was only a matter of time before she would give up. So I decided to motivate her
"Hey dear, how is training going?" I asked
There was an unusual silence from her. The look on her face was a vibrant display of defeat. She was about to give up. She felt like the other competing student athletes were better than her.
"You know what, if you win that race, I will get you a brand new phone" I said.
Her face lit up immediately when I said those words.
"Really?" she asked, trying to make me confirm what I just said.
"Yes" I replied.
I knew I made a casual promise which my dear little cousin had taken to heart and would probably hold on to, but it was the necessary motivation she needed.
By the next day, everyone in the family knew about my promise to get Grace a new phone, to my utter surprise. Grace couldn't hide her excitement, so she went on broadcasting it to family members. It was then I knew I was under obligation to get her that phone, even though I wasn't sure I was financially capable of fulfilling that promise at that moment. I realized the gravity of the casual promise I made.
However, she had to win the race first. If she doesn't win, it means I don't have to fulfill the promise. If she does, all eyes would be on me to fulfill my promise.
Over the next couple of days, Grace kept training like she had everything to lose. The day of the race finally came.
I was in attendance, and so was half of the family, thanks to Grace's power of persuasion.
Grace was dressed in her athletic wear, looking serious and determined to win. The race began and all the completing students began running like wild horses. At first, Grace was behind but that was only a strategy to conserve her energy for the relatively long race. Midway into the race, Grace picked up and got past everyone to get to the first position. She was way ahead of everyone. It was looking like it would be an absolute victory for Grace.
As she got close to the finish line, my heart began beating fast due to the facts that my little cousin was about to achieve what she trained so hard for, which I was excited about; and I was about to spend a huge amount of money getting her that phone.
Next thing I knew, Grace missed her step and fell. Before she could recover to complete the race, a student had passed her to win the race. Grace finished second, but she was in tears. I ran up to her, more concerned if she sustained an injury from that fall. Luckily, it was only a bruise on her knee.
I hugged her in an attempt to console her as she cried. I could understand why she was in tears. She was so close to winning. She was just seconds away from winning. I had to say some comforting words to her
"The fall wasn't your fault dear. Don't beat yourself up. Even though you didn't win, now you know you can do it. You're capable of being the best" I said to her.
"Thank you" she responded as she tried to wipe her tears
"Now get ready, let's get you a new phone" I said with a smile on my face.
"But I didn't win" Grace replied
"In my eyes, you won, and you deserve that new phone"
Grace's face lit up, and she quickly joined me as we made our way out of the field to get her a new phone.
A very nice story, @trexane. Just a reminder: there should be a period at the end of every sentence. It's an important quality detail. 🙂
Victory isn't always about winning, sometimes it's about breaking out of that force holding us from taking the next step that can transform our lives.
ahahah, I laugh, felt bad she didn't win and was happy that she was getting the phone at the end. This was beautiful written. After all those practice and she did not get the phone, it would break her little heart. Nice one.