Ego Destroys Relationship

 It was eleven o'clock in the morning. The sun was hot and the movement of people was not much in Raghavpur town. The passers-by on the road looked curiously at the clapping of students under the shade of tall trees in the garden. On enquiry, it was revealed that they were students of Matoshri Girls Middle school. The day being a Sunday, the school had arranged prize distribution to the winners in the competition. The picnic was also arranged under the supervision of headmistress Veena Rao.  

Prema was the lone winner from the seventh standard for her beautifully handwritten essay on 'my beautiful country- India'. The cover page and back page was artistically designed by Prama. The colorful images in the essay added to the beauty of the presentation. The essay is divided into seven small paragraphs containing ideal country in the world,  independence attained from the British in 1947, Villages are the backbone to the nation, Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Krishna and Kaveri main rivers, India's rich culture and traditions, unity in diversity and national song Vande mataram. Her simple and effective writing was impressive and selected as the best among the twenty five participants. Prema was called on the stage to receive a certificate of recognition, trophy and cash prize of rupees five hundred. 

Prema standing from her chair became emotional and remembered the past incident that happened one month back.

The school had announced a unique essay writing for the students. Accordingly, the participant was required to prepare a handwritten essay, 'My Beautiful Country- India'. The rules and other details of the competition were displayed on the notice board. The last day of submission was twenty days from the date of notification.

Those who wanted to participate were gathered before the notice board to know the details. Just twenty five students enrolled for the competition. Ankita was a brilliant student and Prema was an average student in the seventh standard. Both were standing before the notice board going through the notice and noting down in the notebook.

"Prema, I really laugh at you as you are showing interest in the competition. Why do you waste your time? Such competitions are meant for a brilliant student like me. Better go back home and spend time playing with your stupid friends," said Ankita.

It was nothing but the ego of Ankita.

Prema was calm. Without losing her temper said,

"Please do not boast yourself as brilliant.  My sincere advice to you is do not exhibit your false ego. Please try to cultivate good habits like simplicity and kindness," replied Prema politely. 

Ankita became angry.

"Prema, I know your poor knowledge. You need not teach me how I should be? Your bad performance in the last  examination shows your poor knowledge. Nobody in the class writes better than me.  Do not dream of becoming equal to me. You never compete with me. If you win, I will accept my defeat and apologize  in front of the teachers and students. Take it as my challenge. If you fail, you have to carry my loaded school bag from school to my house by walking for one day," said Ankita.

Prema thought for a while and said,

"Yes! Ankita, I accept your challenge."

Ankita did not expect such a bold reply from Prema. They left the place in the opposite direction.  Prema took the challenge as a prestige and believed in the saying, 'where there is a will there's a way'. She commenced the study from day one taking guidance from her parents. Her determination, devotion and the blessings of her parents, the essay was ready before the last date. She submitted the same on that day itself. She was hopeful of getting success.

She came back from the past memories, when Veena Rao asked,

"What are you thinking Prema? Come to the stage to receive awards."

"Ma'm, my mind was busy with past memories."

Veena Rao was highly impressed to hear from a little girl getting past memories. She patted Prema's back and said, "keep it up my dear child. You have a great future."

Prema took the awards and prostrated the headmistress Veena Rao.

Ankita came to the stage running and spoke about her challenge.

 "I apologize to Prema for my misbehavior. I was under the false prestige and ego that nobody beat me. Now Prema has taught me a moral lesson. She has proved that practice makes a man perfect. I thank Prema for showing me the right path."

Then she hugged Prema. The scene surprised those present on the stage and the students. 

Veena Rao said,

"Ankita, you did the right thing. Apologizing does not mean you're wrong and the other person is right. It just means you value your relationship more than ego."

The meeting was concluded with a vote of thanks by Ankita. Sumptuous food was served to all. 

Moral of the story is that the ego is just a three letter word, which can destroy a big twelve letter word relationship.