The Black Crayon

There are numerous events in our life which we vividly remember, and today I thought to share one from my stock of memories as my first blog.

When I look back in time I see a little girl, aged around 5 or 6. That girl used to be shy, hesitant, and hardly ever tried to speak in front of people. The crowd or gatherings used to make her uncomfortable. She used to get confused when someone used to ask her something.

Once, that girl was having exams of Kindergarten. She was having lunch with her friends and this is when the teacher who was supposed to conduct and check the copies of Art Exam appeared in the classroom. As all of the audience were around 5 and 6, she was telling each and everyone what are they supposed to do in the exam tomorrow. Before leaving the classroom, she strictly mentioned that if there will be a cat in the exam to be colored, any color can be used in the exam, but black.

The next morning, when that girl received her question paper which was all about coloring different stuff. She colored each and everything with different bright colors. At the very last page of the question paper was a huge cat. Even though, she remembered something her teacher told her about coloring, she was still confused if the teacher asked the students to use the color black on the cat or not. Being the one who thought the world will collapse if she will ask a question to be sure about something, she decided to stay quiet and then she picked up her black crayon and started coloring the cat black.

The next day, the teacher came in to the class and distributed the answer sheets to each and everyone so that they can know what they have scored. When that shy soul received her answer sheet, she saw a 0/5 on the cat she colored black with her crayon. The teacher  knew that girl as an average student, but she was upset because of the ignorance of that girl and asked her to be attentive next time.

That was the day when that little girl realized what this hesitance and shyness can take from her. Although, she was very young to decide what she is supposed to do with her life but she decided never to stay quiet when she thinks she need to ask something. This was her turning point, and after that she never hesitated to ask anything from the teacher and this helped her a lot in the academics because this was the reason which was pulling her back from being on the top.

The very next year, when she was attending the annual result she was expecting a 3rd position. The principal was calling the names of 3rd, 2nd and then the 1st position holder. When the turn of her class came, she was ready to listen her name as 3rd position holder, little did she know that it will be her friend. That was the moment she realized that she lacked something and as a little girl with newly born dreams, became much dejected.

She was too heartbroken to even concentrate on the other announcements. The teary-eyed was only looking at the stage but her mind was somewhere else. The 2nd position holder was announced and she knew she have to clap when and where.

“Please give a round of applause for the girl who has secured 1st position, Rija Aleem.”

She became blank, and the teacher standing beside her had to ask her to go and receive the shield for what she has achieved.

This was MY turning point, this was when I knew I never have to limit my thinking with those things which seem unapparent or unattainable at the moment. I got to know what infinity and believing in it meant that day. Since then I have never stopped trying and achieving whatever I wished to. This is how a black crayon changed me, my thinking, and my life.

This was the day I got to know how to rise and shine, and this is what I will continue in my entire blogging. #RiseAndShine