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Share A Story NowThe Two Failures
I remember that hot summer afternoon when I was finally taken to the hospital to get a glimpse of my much-awaited sibling. I had a baby sister and in my five-year-old mind what was of utmost importance was that now I had my very own playmate at home. My father and I waited outside the hospital room for a few minutes before we were ushered inside. I walked in and ran to my mother happily; even those 2 days without her seemed endless. My mother said, “Come meet your sister”. I tiptoed and walked over to the cradle when I saw this red woozy ball with black hair and eyes closed. I bent down to touch her and as her eyes opened all wide I saw the thick-fringed eyelashes and her shining black eyes looking back at me. I think it was at that moment I knew that I found my best friend, my buddy, my lifelong partner in crime.
My sister and I have been a trial for my mother. We were a pair of monkeys and the stories of our escapades are part of the family folklore. My father being in the army was not around too often during our growing up years so my mother brought us up almost single handedly and it must have taken some strength of mind to bring up two such naughty and stubborn children who got out from one trouble only to get into another. My mother saw to every little thing, be it our school, to our meals, our clothes, down to the last tee. She was very affectionate but there were times when she would loose her cool cause her daughters would get into some soup and there is only a certain limit till which one can be patient. Like the time when we drove the neighbor's young son up the wall with the incessant cat calls or the time I refused to attend my tutorials and locked the door of my house shut and went and sat on the terrace till the tutor came home, saw the locked door and went away. This other time when my sister hatched a plan with the maid and they got together and threw eggs on the innocent passers by who couldn't quite figure who was chucking eggs on them. My mother who was also a schoolteacher came home that evening to be greeted by my grandmother's perplexed face.
Bonu [my sister's name] and I weren't scholars either. On the contrary we hated studying and Ma always told us that this is the only route to doing something worthwhile in life. We were forced to spend time with our schoolbooks all out of the fear of Ma's anger. I loved reading but when it came down to Math's or the Sciences I dreaded having anything to do with these subjects. I almost did not make it to 10th grade, a consequence of taking it too easy and I had to pay a heavy price for it. That entire summer Ma saw to it that I did my sums regularly and read my biology and physics from the very first chapter till the last. To the surprise of a lot of people I did not do too badly in my first public exam all thanks to Ma of course. My sister too was no better than me. I left for college at 18 and she was left alone with my mother. She often complained saying Ma is so over bearing and bosses over her.
In my second year of college while I was studying for my final exams I got a phone call from Ma one evening saying my sister had failed her 9th grade exams. Ma was heartbroken. Nobody in our family had ever flunked an exam before [though I had almost done so myself but got saved]. My mother was an English teacher in a reputed school in the city and it was a let down for her and more than anything it was humiliating. My sister did not speak to me that day, apparently she cried herself to sleep that night. Thus started another tribulation for my Ma. She had always had to listen to outsider's complain about the both of us or people expressing their doubts on how could Ma let me go away to college in a far off city at the age of 18. There always seemed to be people who would come and talk about how well their children were doing while my mother would be having a tough time making sure we stay on the right path. Ma was determined though that we would do well for ourselves and that's how she dealt with my sister's setback. She never let my sister feel that she had lost out on something and always told her that “ Let this be a lesson. We are going to work really really hard. Even if the world seems to be coming to an end now. Circumstances will change”. My mother and sister formed a team and they systematically got around to changing my sister's academic skills. Times did change but very slowly and gradually, one little step at a time.
Yeah it has been a step at a time. I finished with law school last year and finally started working. My mother's belief in me paid off .It has been 4 years since that fateful day when I got that phone call. My sister is 18 now. I got another phone call a few days back. My sister's school leaving results were coming out on the net. I was waiting for Ma and Bonu to call me that afternoon and couldn't pay much attention to my work in office. The phone rang and as I picked it up apprehensively only to hear Ma's sobbing in the background and my sister's anguished high-pitched voice saying, “Didi I got a 88%”. I exclaimed “ what?” I could not believe my ears. She had passed the exam with flying colors and could not now make it to the best of colleges in the country. My little sister whom every body had written off had done amazingly well and could now go to the best of the educational institutions. My mother was in tears. She was overwhelmed as it took some time to sink in. Later at night while speaking to her I said, “ Ma your two little failures, didn't do as bad as everybody thought they would.” Ma laughed and said, “You are my daughters and I knew both of you the best. I always knew that you were never failures. It was just a matter of time.”
Story was submitted anonymously
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Your Comments
This story is very good.It inspires a lot of people. This story shows courage and hope.
Posted almost 3 years ago by Student. Shiela M. D. from Philippines
Brought tears to my eyes, what an amazing story. Never, never, never give up! (Winston Churchill)
Posted almost 4 years ago by Ashley M. from Lubbock, Texas
This is very inspiring. My parents neither believed in me nor put me down. I'm 15, I don't have a girlfriend, and I have some great friends, but they're not people I can talk to in order to acquire self-esteem, confidence, persistence, etc. I'm very intelligent, but I lack the positive feelings necessary to pursue my dreams. Profound and abstract thinking is a love and a gift of mine, however within that, I couldn't discover resilience to all of the negativity surrounding me. Currently, this is the only source that's somewhat sustaining my academics, and overall, my life. Words simply cannot describe how much I appreciate this story-this message.
Posted almost 4 years ago by Kevin C. from Connecticut, USA
I have tears in my eyes.
Posted almost 4 years ago by Kayode A. from Lagos, Nigeria
Nothing can really compare to a mothers love and confidence in her children. Remember to appreciate all the things your mother did for you in your life.
Posted about 4 years ago by Miguel M. from Tucson, Arizona USA
Very simple story yet with so much to learn and to be inspired by.
Posted about 4 years ago by Ishak G. from Kathmandu, Nepal
That was a beautiful story, it inspires me to study harder, work harder, and be better. Thank you for sharing!
Posted about 4 years ago by Tiffany H. from Arkansas USA
Excellent site I come across. I will be benefitted
Thanks!
Posted over 4 years ago by Premananda M. from Orissa India
A great story. Hats off to the mothers of the world who have so much confidence in their children!
Andhra pradesh, INDIA.
Posted over 4 years ago by Vinay K.V. from Khammam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Incredible story...a real booster!
Posted over 4 years ago by Suman S. K. from Kochi, Kerala, India
It's very inspiring story. A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying and giving up.
Posted over 4 years ago by Irish Joy A. from Batangas, Philippines
This a very good story.
Posted over 4 years ago by Priyanka B. from India
There is no success on this earth without effort. .
Posted over 4 years ago by Apaga S.C. from Kampala, Uganda
I was reminded of my mum while reading this story. My mum is an English teacher in a reputed school and has stood by me at all tough times in my life. It's only because of her that I've achieved anything. God bless such wonderful mothers!
Posted over 4 years ago by Prabhjot K. from Lucknow,India
I love those words; it touches the heart. I hope to write mine someday so that those out there can learn.
Posted over 4 years ago by Temitope from Lagos, Nigeria
Amazing story, I like it so much!
Posted over 4 years ago by from
Thank you for sharing such a personal story. Your mother is a super person. I'm sure when you have children of your own you will follow in your mothers footsteps and never give up on them.
Posted over 4 years ago by Tony E. from Charlotte, North Carolina USA
It's been a pleasure to read this great story...thanks!
Posted over 4 years ago by Chris A. from Philippines
Very interesting...so much I like it!
Posted over 4 years ago by Prelyn Joy P. from Philippines
A great story!! She's really a good mom. Very inspiring story.
Posted over 4 years ago by Lovely from Philippines
A great story. Hats off to the mothers of the world who have so much of confidence in their children!
Posted over 4 years ago by Geethika S. from Chennai, India
An excellent story. Moved me to tears. Hats off to the mothers of the world who have so much confidence in their children!
Posted over 4 years ago by Geethika S. from Chennai, India
It's quite inspiring.
Posted over 4 years ago by Suyog K. from Pune, India
Well I hope I will be like them. Not a failure as what the other thought...it was just a matter of time
Posted over 4 years ago by Hermoine C. from Cainta, Rizal Philippines
A very inspiring story...Way to go!
Posted over 4 years ago by Avanti from India
It is a superb story!
Posted over 4 years ago by Sahiba A. from Udaipur, India
Your story is a testament to a mother's love for her children. How very blessed you two girls were.
Posted over 4 years ago by Cheryl H. from North Carolina, USA
Really a inspiring story to build in confidence. To enjoy the success in its real form one needs to go through failure.
Posted over 4 years ago by Reena D. from Chennai, India
I am very much inspired by your story...
Posted over 4 years ago by Denise A. from Philippines
Every failure is a stepping stone to a greater success and every success is a failure turned upside down. It's when you are disheartend and every thing seems blue, it's then when you must not quit and keep going through. Your story testifies this. Indeed a motivating and inspiring story.
Posted over 4 years ago by Sukhsohit S. from Chandigarh, India
Great story. People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.
Posted over 4 years ago by Allelly S. from Batangas, Philippines
Very encouraging one, it shows hard work is always rewarded and education is perseverance.
Posted over 4 years ago by Sherub T. from Bhutan
The details (the failures) never overturn the Principles (That We Are All Successes).
Posted over 4 years ago by William F from OK, USA
I am very touched by this story and it made me realize the agony that we put our parents through.
Posted over 4 years ago by Sophia M from South Africa, Pretoria
Wow.. that is a really good.
Posted over 4 years ago by Jacob Geronimo from Indiana
Every successful person has a painful story...every painful story has a successful ending...Really an inspirational story to learn
Posted over 4 years ago by Pushkar B from India
It was a touching story to be inspired by young people who are struggling to live in this world of reality.
Posted over 4 years ago by Haze A from Philippines
it's been a pleasure to read this story and gain strength, really failures are the pillar of success.
Posted over 4 years ago by Raashi T from India
It's amazing how our parents can put all their trust in us no matter what. We owe them.
Posted over 4 years ago by May M M from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Failure is definitely followed by victory. Bonu is a very good example. Credit shares with Ma. Really, really, really an inspiring story.
Posted over 4 years ago by Ammu S. from Kerala, India
Very good story to boost confidence in students.
Posted over 4 years ago by Anna B from Montreal, Quebec