Your Second Chance

I spent my childhood in the historic city of Cochin in Kerala. The Arabs, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British have used Cochin as a port for trading, and have left their imprint upon the city. A significant event in my own life also took place in Cochin. 

It was compulsory for all students to learn Malayalam, unless one was studying in a Central School.

Since my mother tongue is Marathi and not Malayalam, I would get butterflies in my stomach, every time the exams came near.I used to dread the Malayalam exam, as much as I dreaded a visit to the dentist!

It was not the fault of my teacher, Miss Elizabeth. Miss Elizabeth was a dedicated teacher, and made sure each one of us understood our lessons. She would occasionally use the cane, but only as a last resort.

It was not the fault of my parents. In fact, my mother learnt Malayalam, in order to help me and my younger sister learn the language.

There was nothing wrong with my comprehension of the lessons. The stumbling block was in recalling what I had learnt, in order to answer the exam questions.

Yes, the Malayalam question paper would sometimes leave me in tears.  

I struggled with Malayalam from the 1^st standard. Yet, I could write well enough to pass in the exam.

When I reached middle school, the words became a little more difficult, the sentences became a little more complex. Because of this, I would get the jitters, whenever exams were around the corner. The day before the Malayalam exam would be the toughest day.

After the exams, when our class teacher handed out our school diaries, I used to scan one row in particular – the row having my marks in Malayalam. When I found that I had passed, I would be ecstatic! The first five years of my school life passed by in this way. There would be spells of intense preparation, followed by uneasy apprehension and liberating exhilaration.

I felt that the 6^th standard would be no different. I put in my best efforts, for the 1^st term exams. My class teacher handed out our school diaries to us, after the Onam vacation.

I got the shock of my life! I had failed in Malayalam! How could I tell my parents? I put my diary into my schoolbag, with a long face.

That day, I kept quiet after I came home. My mother took me with her for shopping. It felt as if dark clouds were gathering above. Yet, I mustered some courage and said, ‘Ma, I want to tell you something.” My mother asked, “What is it?” I felt that the dark clouds would emit lightning and thunder any time. I wanted to run and hide behind the nearest wall. I managed to mumble, “Ma, I have failed in Malayalam.”

I braced myself for my mother’s anger. I prepared myself for a nice scolding. I steeled myself to face the storm.But wonder of wonders! My mother only said, “Hmm! Is that so? Make sure you do well in the 2^nd term.”

I was beside myself with joy! I could not believe my ears! The dark clouds vanished. My mother had given me a second chance to prove myself!

From that day onwards, I no longer dreaded the Malayalam exam, or any other exam.  I prepared well for every exam, because I wanted to make my parents happy. This approach gave me success every time.

The second chance that I got, reinforced my self – worth and increased my confidence.I am sure that each one of you can recall at least one instance when another person gave you a second chance!

Whenever you face a challenge, remember how grateful you felt when you got a second chance to try and achieve something. Use this feeling of gratitude, and see the difference that it makes to your efforts, and to the results!

Treat your first attempt as Your Second Chance!