The Trophy
I am sure, all of you will agree when I say childhood days are the best in one’s life. Irrespective of which school we studied, how we studied every memory is cherished. Having studied in a convent school, everything was well organized with me. The school environment had inculcated in me a sense of discipline, commitment and love for studies.
I never believed in topping the class, but had an intention to always excel in whatever I took up. One thing I always wanted in my school were the trophies. The main drawback for me was that I was not into sports; I almost hated sports and never tried my hand at it, expect for a little bit of basketball and occasional short put sessions. Being good in cultural I managed to bag lots of certificates but never a trophy.
I so badly wanted to get a trophy as I was tired of certificates and medals and I very well knew that my chances of getting one had literally come to an end because I was in the last phase of my school studies. When I was planning how I could get some trophies in my college days, just then I was informed that I had received the 8th rank in Bangalore Diocese catechism Exams. This was an exam conducted for catholic students all over Bangalore. I was happy about my achievement, but I was even happier because I had seen my seniors who had passed these exams with rank were given a trophy by the school.
I was extremely happy; finally, I would get a trophy. I was waiting eagerly for this day. I had informed my parents and cousins. I had cleared the showcase; I had made space between all my medals and a few small cups to place my beautiful trophy.
My happiness and excitement were soaring as days passed. I was eagerly waiting for the management to announce the felicitation day. After a lot of waiting, one fine day it was announced in the assembly that the following week there would be a function and all the winners and rank holders would be felicitated. My happiness knew no bounds. I was elated. The days that followed were difficult to pass and nights were sleepless.
Finally, the day arrived, I saw to that my uniform was perfectly ironed; I was dressed to the occasion. I sat in the auditorium in front row (we were asked to) with pride and waited eagerly for all the speeches to get over. Finally, the moment I was waiting for arrived, names were announced and each one who excelled in different fields were gifted a beautiful trophy. I could not take my eyes of the trophy. It was a glass trophy with the name of the school etched on it. Everyone received the trophy, at the end they announced that the students who received rank in catechism would be felicitated. When my name was called first, I proudly marched to the dais, but I was shaken to receive a gift wrapped in golden paper rather than a trophy. I was shocked and sad. This could not happen, all the years they had given them trophies why had they given a gift this year, I was in tears. I was disappointed.
Taking the gift, I sadly walked towards my class after the ceremony, all were busy congratulating me, but I did not reciprocate to them and decided to go and sit in my place, holding back the tears in my eyes.
Just then the Sister who had taught us catechism came forward and wished me and told me that there was a beautiful present inside and she told me that I would keep that present forever.
I was fuming with anger; I knew it was some book and I dint want to open it. I had planned to throw it and keep only the certificate. I was not even interested to open it. I kept it in my bag and the entire day I was crying without letting others notice it. I came home and took the gift to throw it, when my mom enquired what the gift was. I did not want to open it but still I did not want to show how desperate I was about the trophy. I reluctantly opened the gift and was taken aback to see a Holy Bible. I was in dilemma I did not know what to do. I knew I had to respect it, since we already had a Bible, I placed it inside. For many days I was angry. I was angry on school, the management and everyone for gifting me a Bible rather than a trophy.
Years passed, I graduated and started my post-graduation, I had not completely forgotten the trophy incident but I had matured enough to understand that cribbing about it was silly. On one fine day when I sat quietly and pulled my drawer to remove my dairy just than my eyes fell on this bible, it was neat and clean almost untouched for 7 years. Something in me urged me to take it out. I was passing through the teenage confusions, identity crisis and self-worth battles, just then this Bible caught my attention and when I opened it, I was happy to read a paragraph congratulating me for securing the rank. After 7 years I had read the message, I was happy. I was motivated.
Slowly every day I began to read my Bible, it became my personal Bible. I began underlining the words that touched me. It became my best friend over the years. Today almost after 15 years I still have the Bible. I read it. Whenever I am down, demotivated, frustrated and angry the gift which once I hated has become my greatest pillar of support.
Even today when I think about the incident, I realize how foolish I was to run behind something so materialistic. After that I went on to win many trophies including a Gold Medal, but nothing gives me comfort as much as the Bible does. All the medals and certificate lie behind.
Today I realized the importance of the Gift I received, if then I would have got a trophy it would be in the show case with no much significance. But the Bible made a lot of difference to my life.
Most of us fume when we receive what we never wanted, but maybe we should remember God gives us what we actually need and deserve. Whatever we receive will definitely help us in the future without our knowledge. No gift is Useless. Let us cherish the gifts we get and preserve it with pride and love.
