Triumphant, Never Failing Attitude

Conqueror

I had never considered myself someone who would miss the mark. Yet today I write about an incident from my younger days. I have decided to share this story on both platforms where I write—for reflection and learning. On Thought Bin, I contribute under the label Gratitude Daily, and similarly on Kiddie Diary.
In my time, there was no twelfth standard as there is today. Instead, students appeared for matriculation before entering college. When the time came to choose my field of study, my mother repeatedly insisted that I opt for Home Science (B.H.Sc.).
She would say,
“Leave everything else. You should choose Home Science. At least you will learn household work.”
But I was not very interested in household chores. I would reply firmly,
“No, not at all. I will not go for that.”
She asked me my choice again and again. Finally, my father intervened and ended the discussion. He said,
“No. She will definitely go for… (after a brief pause)… the stream she has chosen.”
At that moment, I felt a quiet “hurrah” in my mind.
Soon I secured admission in B.Sc. First Year. Around us there was a popular slogan circulating among students:
“First year is a rest year.”
Unfortunately, I took that slogan a little too seriously.
I mismanaged my timetable completely. I enjoyed every moment of my freedom. With a few close friends, we attended almost every movie that was released—whether it was the morning show or the evening show. We were carefree and self-willed, and honestly, far less attentive in our classes than we should have been.
Initially my subjects included Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology.
When the yearly examination results were declared, I received a huge setback.
I had obtained a supplementary (compartment).
I was frightened to the core. My father scolded me severely, and my mother too expressed her disappointment. It was a very difficult and unfavorable time for me.
During those days I became almost like a melancholic saint within my own home. I remember sitting quietly, watching the road outside with people passing by, listening to the ticking of the clock, and thinking about every mistake I had made.
One day there was a knock on my door. My friend had come to see me. She shared my sadness, and after talking for a while we had another thought.
“Why not learn something new?” she suggested.
“Maybe stitching and embroidery classes.”
We decided to join together. I attended one class with her. There I began learning how to stitch and weave clothes for women and children. Slowly, time started moving again.
Then one day a notice appeared in the newspaper announcing the date of the supplementary examination.
As soon as my brother heard about it, he immediately jumped onto his bicycle and went out. Within a short time he returned with an examination form.
He handed it to me quickly and said,
“Take it. Fill it fast.”
I did exactly as he said. Once I finished filling it, he took the form again, rushed back to my college, and submitted it there.
Soon afterward I appeared for the supplementary examination. I was extremely nervous.
Meanwhile, my mother consulted an astrologer. She returned and told me what he had said.
“There is some upheaval in your horoscope. Lord Shani’s shadow is cast upon you. Your academic scores may remain low for a long time.”
I simply replied in a quiet voice,
“Whatever happens, at least I tried.”
When the results were declared again—I had passed.
I still remember a small moment from that day. My father returned home from work as usual. I went to the gate to receive him and take his bicycle inside.
Before handing it to me, he asked,
“You passed?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Hmmm,” he said.
“Did you take admission in the next class?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.”
Then he gave me the bicycle, and I parked it inside the house.
That was all. But his simple approval meant a lot to me.
While all this was happening, admissions for the next class had already begun. By the time I entered my new class, it was already late. A considerable portion of the syllabus had been completed.
I had to catch up from the very beginning.
Time seemed to be moving very fast, while I felt as though I had been standing still. I knew I had to rebuild everything from scratch.
This time I studied with complete determination. I approached every subject with sincerity and unwavering belief.
Slowly but surely, I conquered everything that had once frightened me.
Earlier I was someone who rarely raised her hand in class. But now I began answering confidently.
“Yes, Seema, I know you know the answer,” my teacher would often say with a smile.
Gradually, I became one of the strongest students in my class.

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Gratitude
Today, when I look back, I feel grateful to everyone who played a role in shaping that journey—
my mother for her worries,
my father for his stern scolding,
my brother for rushing to bring that examination form,
my friend who stood beside me during difficult days,
and even the astrologer…
because somewhere deep inside my mind, I had quietly accepted his words as a challenge.
And that challenge made me a conqueror.