THE WINGS OF CONFIDENCE

SYNOPSIS

It is about a young school boy(Pavan) who suffers from inferiority complex and bullying by his classmates. He is gifted a pair of magical shoes by an old lady which helps him win in sports. He then realizes the magical shoes he got is called “CONFIDENCE”.

STORY

The water in the stepwell was still warm as he sat at the edge. Pavan stared at the ripples, it reflected his despondency. The stepwell was situated beside a temple on top of which stood a magnificent statue of Lord Hanuman with clasped hands and the face was deep in reverence.

An old lady (beggar) carrying an old worn out bag came and sat next to him. She looked at Pavan and realized something was troubling him, she asked, “what is the problem? Why are you sad?”

Pavan turned at her but he was in no mood to talk to the old lady and continued to throw stones into the pond. The old lady asked him again? “Tell me, I can help you!”

Pavan hesitated for a moment, he said “I have sports day tomorrow and because he was born with weak legs he always comes last in all the athletic events. And his classmates sneer and make fun of him”

Looking at his sorrow the old lady smiled and said, “Don’t worry I have a solution.”

From the old worn out bag she took out a pair of old torn red shoes. She placed the shoes near Pavan “You can win any race by wearing these shoes”

Pavan looked at the old shoes and felt the old lady was making fun of his situation. Old lady continued “Trust me, these are magical shoes, take it.”

Pavan looked at the shoes and thought of giving it a try, as he didn’t have anything to lose. He took the shoes. The old lady smiled at him and said “These shoes have magic in them, the moment you wear these shoes you will get wings. No one expect you can see the wings. These shoes will help you win the competition.”

Pavan reluctantly listened to the old lady, “One more thing, remember you must return the shoes by tomorrow before sunset.”

Pavan nodded his head and he went home as the sun had set behind the trees in the temple courtyard.

Next day was the day of Competition. All kids were anxious and were wearing sports day uniform and the tracks were drawn on the ground. With a lot of parents and spectators.

From a distance he noticed his classmates standing near a long jump pit as the workers moved the sand with shovels. Pavan looked at his red shoes and walked stealthily towards them. A few bullies looked at his torn red shoes and started to pass snide remarks and some sneered and laughed at him.

The kids took turns and tried their best to float in the air and land as far away as possible. The distance was marked on a board placed beside.

Pavan waited for his turn in the queue. The old lady’s words ran across his mind. He looks over his shoulders and there is no sign of any wings the old lady promised he would get by wearing the shoes. Pavan was angry on the old lady for making a fool of him. As he was lost in thought. The PT master blew the whistle. Pavan was caught unawares and the giggles of his classmates woke hi up. He realized it was his turn next. As he got ready the PT master pointed at his shoes “That is one funky shoes Pavan, but first tie your shoe laces so that you don’t trip”

His classmates had a good laugh as Pavan tied the laces. His classmates start shouting “Loser... Loser... Loser”.

Pavan thought about the old lady and starts to run. He runs near the mark and leaps in the air. And is about to fall down just at a distance of about a couple of feet. Like a miracle enormous wings burst out of his shoulders and he goes up in the air. He flies and keeps on moving.

PT master and his classmates watch in wonder as he is in the air. They can’t see his wings and wonder how is it even possible.

He flies in the air and goes past the sand pit and drops. Everyone is stunned looking at the distance he covered. Pavan is himself surprised by the turn of the events. Pavan wins gold in the long jump event. He is happy as he is presented the Gold medal.

The sun was setting right behind the Hanuman statue. Pavan sat near the pond. He looked sad. He has placed the red shoes beside him. The old lady arrives carrying her old worn out bag. Looking at him the old lady asked “What happened? why are you sad? Did you win?”

Pavan slowly took out the medal from his pocket and nodded his head. The old lady smiled at him and asked “Then why are you sad my child? You should be happy.”

Pavan turned towards the old lady and said “Can you please take this medal and let me have these shoes forever?”

The old lady smiled at Pavan’s request. Pavan continued to beg “Please granny, Can I have it forever. I want to win more such events”.

The old lady looked at Pavan “You don’t need these shoes anymore”. Hearing which Pavan didn’t understand what the old lady said. Old lady placed her hand over his head and brushing it “It was your confidence that made you win not the shoes and no one can take it away from you, not even me”.

Pavan was still not convinced, he asked “Can I win again?”. The old lady said “Yes my child, you can win many battles, you have to just believe in yourself. It is called confidence. See this huge statue of Lord Hanuman.”

Old lady points at the huge hanuman statue. Pavan looked at It. “He is hanuman. Once Hanuman was assigned the task of crossing the sea to find sita. But he was not aware of his own strength and was not confident. Then Jambavan convinced hanuman that only he can do it. Then hanuman realised his potential and grew in size to confidently jump across the huge sea to land in Lanka and helped Rama find Sita. Hanuman burnt the whole Lanka single handedly.”

Pavan was reluctant to give away the shoes “But I still would want to keep the shoes.”

“There are many others like you who need these shoes. Don’t you think they also need these shoes?”, asked the old lady.

Pavan thought for a second and nodded yes. He smiled and handed over the shoes. The old lady takes the shoes and places it in her old bag and like a miracle the old lady vanishes into thin air.

Pavan looks around and he doesn’t find the old lady nor her bag. He feels happy and confident now, he runs towards his house and in happiness he jumped up in the air. He felt very light.