Bestest, the journey continues #3

Sid is at his home watching videos. This time he is not watching his usual entertainment shows though. He is watching videos on science. Ever since he read the advice shared by the wise man, his taste has changed and he is developing a keen interest for the various concept, trivia and facts about science. He reads about it with interest and is able to absorb more of what he didn’t feel like knowing earlier. He is able to see and understand science that is working around him.

Time flies, and Sid has even been more attentive and interested in what Ms. Noronha has been covering in her class, without realising it. Not that anyone noticed or cared, till the day when Ms. Noronha looks around the class and asked Sid a tough question expecting him to fumble as usual. Sid, now that we have understood gravity, can you let us know that if we drop two stones one weighing 5 kg and one weighing 5 g from the top of a skyscraper at the same time, which stone will reach the ground first. Sid stands up and answers with confidence, assuming there is no air resistance, both the stones will reach the ground together. As usual, expecting Sid had given the wrong answer, there were chuckles around the class. But Ms. Noronha stood there staring at Sid, till everyone realised something was amiss. Acknowledging the answer, Ms. Noronha had replied, I am not sure if that was a wild guess Sid, but you are right.

Sid was the cynosure of attention that day. All were taking rounds to congratulate Sid for the amazing answer. Sid felt as if life had come full circle for him. Vic who was also wondering what was up with Sid, asks him what was going on. Though tempted to tell him about the book and how following it had changed his luck, Sid chooses not to tell about it to Vic. The book had found its way into his life at the right moment and Sid felt it was meant to be like that. A little secret that he had to keep to himself. Sid is happy with the way things are turning out and doesn’t bother to continue reading the book.

Sid is happy with his new found popularity and success in class. Days go by and exams arrive. Sid has grown in confidence by now. He is sure of himself and feels if he continues the way he has been, he will do well in the exams. His body language is different these days and he has a different air about himself. He doesn’t bother indulging in post exam gossip or checking on the answers. In the same form, Sid attempts all his exams.

Days go by and soon its time for the exam results. Sid is exited to look at his marks. The assessed answer sheets start flowing in session by session and to Sid’s disappointment he hasn’t fared that well. Though there had been a saving grace in the subjects that he was the worst at, Sid isn’t that impressed with what he had achieved. How stupid of me, he thinks. To believe that following the book was going to change things. It was a lie after all. Sid couldn’t have been more disappointed. Not because of the results, but because his hopes were high and all of a sudden he had found himself back to square one.

Sid goes home that day and lies on the bed disappointed, not knowing what to do. His enthusiasm has faded and optimism subdued. He finds himself get up like a zombie, go to the cupboard and stare inside. His eyes fall on the old book and tears well up. He picks the book and feels like throwing it out of the window. He raises his hand with the book in it. He is about to swing it, when he resists himself. He drops the book on his desk and jumps back into his bed. After a while of struggling with his thoughts, Sid falls asleep.

Sid wakes up to a sound outside. He looks at the clock and its late night. His mom had thought he would get up soon and kept food for him at his table. Sid is very hungry, he gobbles up the food and freshens up. Back at his desk, Sid’s eyes fall on the old book. He picks it up, opens it and turns to the next page. It reads –

‘When daylight fades into the night, is when you should hang on tight. When the end of the road is out of sight, is when champions start developing their strength and might.

A graph that is not CONSISTENT sees a RISE and FALLS before its PRIME. REGULAR PREPARATION and PRACTICE is the common factor that defines those who become Greatest Of ALL TIME.’

Sid gives it a thought and realises that he had got carried away with his initial success. He hadn’t persisted with his preparation. He decides to set a proper time to study, practice and revise, not just for some days but till he is done with the next exam.

Will this lesson learnt by Sid bring him better luck next time. What other hidden pearls of wisdom does the wise man hold in store for him. Stay tuned for more.

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