Failure

Dev rubbed both his hands nervously before ringing the doorbell. Few seconds later, he was welcomed by his mother’s pleasant smile. On normal occasions, he would have smiled back. But, today, the situation was different. He was tense and he didn’t have the courage to face his mother. An above average student throughout his life, he had never failed in any subject. This time, he had. He was disappointed in himself and so would his mother be when he would tell her.

He changed his clothes and went towards the kitchen where his mother was heating their afternoon lunch. He had a look at his mother and she looked back at him. She could sense something was wrong as he was unusually quiet.

“So, how was your day, Dev?” His mother asked casually, as she asked every day. He didn’t look at her while speaking.

“It was okay. There’s something I need to tell you, Ma”

She held his shoulder lightly to assure him. “Tell me. What’s the matter? Did something happen at school?” Dev looked at her face again and noticed that the smile on her face was intact. Her eyes showed nothing but love and affection.

“I am a failure, Ma. I passed in all the subjects except Geometry. I just can’t understand theorems. I tried my best, yet I failed. I am sorry. I don’t know what to do.” He spoke in a low voice, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“That means you need to work harder next time. It is completely okay to fail. Failing once and in one subject doesn’t make you a failure, my son. You would be considered a failure if you gave up on geometry completely and never give it a try.”

“And what if I fail again, Ma? What do I do then?”

Dev’s mother cupped his face in her hands and wiped his tears.

“God forbid if you fail again, all you need to do is try again. Till you pass with flying colours. And I am sure you will. You will have to face many exams in life, much more difficult than your school exams. Academic brilliance does not guarantee anyone success in life. So what if you aren’t good at geometry? You are good in all other subjects. You are meant for extraordinary things in life. No matter what path you choose, you will be the best. Even if you aren’t, Dad and I will always be with you and support you, come what may.”

He hugged his mother tightly on hearing her words. He had expected a completely opposite reaction, to be precise. He thought she would shout at him, criticise him, maybe even slap him. But she didn’t do any of the above. She gave him hope, instilled his faith in himself and encouraged him. If she believed that he would pass on giving his best, surely he would.

“You are right, Ma. I will never disappoint you ever again. I will make sure I pass in my next geometry exam.”

Dev and his mother were right. He passed his next geometry exam with passing marks. Later, he fared much better than he had expected himself to be. He still gives his exams with the same confidence that his mother had given him that day. He considers it to be the best lesson any mother can give to their child.