It was that time of the year and the eight year old Kelvin had his aching heart in his mouth. The scars from the strokes of cane last time was still fresh on his fair skin. And he almost peed in his pants when the red eyes of his mum and dad flashed in his tender mind.
Last time, he was fourth.
This time, he was sixth.
He knew that another round of strokes awaited him at home.
"Ain't you a dummy, Kelvin? I spend my whole day working my ass out at the office and all you do is come fourth and sixth? Who knows if you would come tenth next time! Leave my presence at once! "
His dad yelled at him pushing him aside.
" Oh Kelvin!
Your dad and I are furious. Does the first person have two brains? How could you allow that girl come first? You won't get a birthday gift this year. No gifts until you come first "
His mum screamed the more walking out on him.
Kelvin was only a child and his innocent tears flooded his foamy bed as he stared at his Report Card.
Last time, his average was 60.3% and he came fourth
This time, his average was 72.8% and he came sixth
There he was, weeping his eyes sore. Nobody noticed his average was higher this time. Nobody noticed he had an A in Fine-Art this time.
Poor Kelvin!
Mum and dad cared more about positions.
And that's how he was trapped...
Trapped in the cage of inferiority complex.
That's how he grew up to think that if he isn't the first, he is a dummy.
Who will rescue the trapped boy from this horrible torture?
#Fiction
Oh!
My sick generation!
If only you'd resort to identifying the strength of that kid, you will realise how smart he is.
For crying out loud, a kid like Kelvin could become the world's best artist if his parents notice his Fine-Art scores.
Oh!
My sick generation!
A kid like Kelvin shouldn't be torn apart with those weighty words...
Those deadly weighty words could trap his soul for life.
Many adults are less than who they should have been because they were emotionally humiliated as kids by their own parents.
Life is not about competing with others.
It is about competing with your past.
If a kid like Kelvin had a D in English Language last term but has a B this term, give him a hug whether he came first or not.
See the strength in that child.
If a child like Kelvin had a B in Mathematics last term and has an E this time, don't kill him with those hurtful words.
That's his weakness!
Fix it by employing a private Mathematics teacher.
By the way, everyone was not born to be a mathematician.
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, you are wrong!
Why?
That is not what a fish is called to do.
Help that child discover purpose.
Kelvin may come sixth but what if he draws an adorable portrait of you on your 50th birthday?
Won't it be so much joy that your own child is that talented?
Ever wondered why professors are professors in one field?
A professional doctor can't be a professional pilot at the same time except he has both gifts but it is rare.
I write this with a burden in my heart.
Can we change this lame mentality once and for all?
Can we begin to help these kids grow?
Watch the words you say to them.
DON'T GET THEM TRAPPED!
