Overconfidence Is Bitter

From the day father taught me mathematics, I scored good marks in it. Exams were coming! I studied hard for all the exams. But I was verrrrrrrrrrry overconfident about maths. I only flipped pages through my textbook and done. I thought I was ready for the math exam. I gave the test and found out that it was very easy. I didn't even re-check it once! I gave the answer sheet to my teacher.

After a week, it was the result day! Our math teacher, miss Suvarna, entered the classroom and started calling out names. My number was before Tina (my best friend) who was always the math topper. This time I will be the topper... I thought. Miss Suvarna called my name. I strutted towards her confidently and took the paper in my hand. I went back to my table and looked at my marks. My eyes almost popped out! I had got only 30 out of 40! What a drastic change! ''OMG!'' I said to myself. I felt like slapping myself hard.

Then, miss Suvarna called out Tina's name. ''And as always, Tina is our topper! She got 40 out of 40!'' Miss announced proudly. I felt a bit jealous, but I was OK. Tina was my best friend, so I couldn't be jealous. I walked home alone, my head hanging down. I was sooo good in maths... I thought. I decided to ask my father about it. I went home and asked him about it. He shrugged and said, ''You were not confident. You were overconfident.'' I realized my mistake. From that day, I was always confident but not overconfident.