Defying Gravity: My Journey As A World Record Holder – Chapter VIII
CHAPTER: VIII
Embarking on the journey of group event training, a noteworthy episode unfolded during an ordinary afternoon. It was a day filled with anticipation and curiosity as a student from XI-C interrupted our physics class, beckoning us to the auditorium. The news of another meeting on world records quickly circulated, prompting questions about the identity of the guest speaker. As the lone individual world record aspirant in my class, skepticism surrounded my revelation until Mr. Pradeep sir’s arrival validated my earlier statements.
With the audience attuned, Mr. Pradeep sir reiterated the information I had shared earlier. However, the main highlight of the session was the unveiling of a captivating opportunity for eleventh-grade students — the chance to contribute to a world record attempt titled “Most Short Stories Published by School Students in a Book.” The envisioned anthology, “A Day in my Life,” sought non-fiction stories recounting the most unforgettable day in each student’s life.
“I would like to start with the wordings of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam sir, “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.” It is common for everybody to dream. But mere dreaming can never lead to success. But it was quite opposite in my life. The day of 12th May, 2023 was the most significant day in my life. I could never imagine the scenario in my life. On that day morning, grade twelfth results were announced. I worried about the arrival of tenth result and sat in my grandfather’s room to read a holy scripture which is Srimad Bhagavatham. I was praying that tenth results must be announced a week later. Suddenly, I heard someone weeping aback me. It was my mother with her phone! She cried to me that the tenth results were announced. I just got scared seeing her tears. Mathematics was always difficult for me. By seeing the tears rolling out of her eyes, I thought, either I failed or got low marks. But the reply was astonishing. It was “You got ninety two in maths!” I immediately stood as if there was a needle under my chair. It was the most unexpected twist of the entire day. I used to score above forty in school examinations. I came out of the room and screamed in the hall. Thanks to Gayathri aunty who tutored me. Without her, I would never be in such a moment. Next, she said that I scored centum in Sanskrit. I didn’t react. I knew why you wonder. It is true. I didn’t react. I knew, all the balls I hit would turn into six in Sanskrit. It does not require any effort. Enough attention in the class would suffice. She added, “Your score is low in Science” I asked “How much?” She replied “eighty one” I already predicted the score and it made me happy as my prediction is true. She again added “Your score is ninety six in social” It was my favourite subject. “You got ninety two in English too” This made me go mad as I expected only sixty above which I used to get in school examinations as well. Finally, I achieved what I wanted. My father asked me to get above 90% and I got 92% overall. I called my grandparents and Gayathri aunty to get blessings from them. My mother’s uncle bought me a bookshelf as a present for my marks which is very useful. I distributed sweets to my closest relatives and that Golden day, no, the diamond day of my life ended happily. Coincidentally, that was the day on which I prepared Gulab Jamun for my home deity. I always visit Lord Ganesh temple near my home before going to examinations. I still wonder how I scored ninety two in mathematics but I truly believe it was the blessings of my teachers and Lord Ganesh which helped me to get a good percentage.”
The storytelling journey underwent multiple iterations as I crafted and refined my submission, responding to the teacher’s encouragement for further revisions. The process culminated in the creation of a total of four drafts.
The outcome of this literary endeavor, whether my story secured a place in the book or not, remains shrouded in suspense. The unfolding chapters will gradually reveal the resolution of this narrative pursuit.
