Best speaker Magazine Issue 2 - December 2017 | Page 47

SMILE PLEASE
M
y mother always say that when
I came to this world I was
carrying a bat in one hand and
a ball in the other, because ever since I
was a kid, cricket has been my passion,
my life.
A couple of years ago, while I was
playing cricket with my friends one
day, we lost 4 quick wickets within
the first 3 overs. Our team was in a
desperate situation and in need of a big
partnership. It was my opportunity to
bat after the 4 th wicket. My friend Shobi
and I were on either sides of the pitch
and we were partners. I felt that this was
the best chance to show my talent and
to become the highest run scorer for the
team. But my friend Shobi came to me
and said “brother we want more runs.
Don’t hurry, just score singles.” But I
thought to myself, “Who cares? Why
should I listen to his words? I have my
own batting style.” The only thing in my
mind was to become the highest scorer
for my team. For that I needed to target
the boundaries; 4s and 6s. I needed to
score more. But Shobi was also a good
player. If I offered him the chance to
score, he would become the highest
scorer for the team.
With all this in my mind I faced the
first ball. I missed. Again I prepared
myself to face the second ball. I missed.
Then I made some adjustments and
played my third ball. I missed. Shobi
came to me and said “brother, what are
you doing? We need runs, we have to
score, and we have to win. The ground
is too big so you can’t hit boundaries.
Just rotate the strike.” But I was not in
the mood to listen to Shobi. Finally I
hit a couple of boundaries. I became the
highest run scorer for my team. But my
team lost the match. My friend Shobi
fought with me and we did not play
cricket again together.
Several years later, one day my friend
Dishpan asked me to do a favor for Shobi.
But I said ‘’brother we had a fight during
our school days and I don’t want to talk
to him. He replied, ‘’You left school a
long time ago. Do you still have the
same misunderstanding? While I was
schooling I promised my friends that
we can be together for a long time. But
after we left school I got separated from
most of my friends because of studies
and work. Now I want to meet them
and spend time with them but most of
them are not available. Brother, if you
meet someone on the road after a long
time, whether it’s a friend, a relative, an
ex, or an enemy, smile at that person.
Ask them how they are and share some
sweet memories. Sometimes our smiles
and kind words can make an impact on
people. You never know when you are
going to meet that person again. Leave
your ego and talk to Shobi.”
My friends, life is short. Always push
your ego to one side and share the fun,
smiles, laughter and sweet moments
with others because you can make a
deep impact in someone's life.
Gavelier KUNALAN
NANTHAGOPAN
Faculty of Commerce and
Management
BEST SPEAKER MAGAZINE 2017
47