Mudalihamy was a village boy. He came to the city for a sports meet. The playground was large and crowded with students.The city boys were wearing white shoes and white socks. They were very smart. Mudalihamy had heard that the city boys were a little arrogant. Mudalihamy was taking part in the under thirteen event.
The sports teacher fixed the number 27 on the front and back of Mudalihamy’s vest. He wished the paper was big enough to cover the stain on the front of his vest. He thought”will the city boys see the stain and laugh at me”?
When Mudalihamy’s number was called he went to the starting point. The city boys were wearing shoes with spikes but Mudalihamy was running without shoes. “Will they step on my feet”? he wondered. “If I win my father, mother and everyone else in my family will be happy” he thought. So, Mudalihamy ran fast and won the race.
The person at the loudspeaker announced “under thirteen hundred metres – first place, Kalubandarage Mudalihamy”. It was a dream come true. Everyone was cheering and clapping.One of the city boys got the second place. He said,”congratulations, Mudalihamy, you were great” and shook hands. The boy who came third also joined him.
Mudalihamy knew he had been wrong earlier. The city boys were good.
The sports teacher gently stroked his head and said, ”I knew you would win Mudalihamy”. “Good boy” while tears of joy welled in his eyes.
We learnt that to be successful you didn’t need to be in a city.
You can be successful in a city too.
Moral – Appearances are deceptive.
Rahna Mihlar
Grade 9
Hafsa Ladies Arabic College
Galbokka