Pinky was a girl from an ordinary family of a small town. His father worked as a tailor and mother was an assistant in a private school. The financial condition of the family was very normal, but Pinky was completely rich with a sense of self-respect. He was proud of the honesty of his family and also had the confidence to move forward due to their hard work. Pinky was smart in studies and confidence was visible in her voice. She often participated in school competitions, despite limited resources or facilities. Many times his classmates used to make fun of his simple attire. He would say, “Look, Pinky has come again wearing the same old frock. She should not take part in school activities.” Pinky definitely kept these things in mind, but did not break down. He knew that a man’s value is not determined by shining clothes, but by bright thoughts.
One day a debate competition was announced in the school. The topic was – “Self-respect is the real wealth.” It was as if a lamp lit up in Pinky’s mind. She decided that no matter what happens, she will definitely participate in this competition, but this is where the problems started. On the day of the competition, his father had to go to work and his mother returned late from school. Pinky had to make her own preparations. She had nothing new to wear, while the other students were getting new clothes stitched to go on the stage. When she returned to the class after filling out the form, some girls said sarcastically, “Pinky, if you don’t have new clothes to go on the stage, everyone will think it’s a joke! Leave it, what do you need?”
At that moment, a slight pang arose inside Pinky, but she replied firmly, “It is not the clothes but the confidence that shines on the stage. I will participate.” When Pinky reached home in the evening, she told her father that she was going to participate in the competition. The father said smilingly, “Daughter, you could not get new clothes this time, but our blessings are with you.” Pinky nodded and said, “That’s all I need, Dad.”
For the next two days, she diligently prepared for her speech. In every line of the speech, he interwoven his life experiences. How self-respect becomes man’s support in any difficulty, how on the strength of self-respect man stands firm even in adverse circumstances, all this was reflected in his speech.
The day of competition came. As soon as she reached school, Pinky’s close friend Rekha gave her her expensive dress and said, “Pinky, today you will go on stage wearing this. I don’t want anyone to make fun of you at all.” But Pinky’s self-respect did not allow her to do so. Pinky said, “Rekha, I understand your feelings, but if I agree to you today, my self-respect will be destroyed from within me.” Pinky wore her clean but old frock and tied her hair in a simple manner. Some of his classmates laughed and said, “Does anyone go on stage in this form?” But Pinky moved ahead without giving any reaction. Although his steps were light, his mind was strong from within. When his name was called on the stage, the auditorium became silent. Pinky grabbed the mike and started speaking,
“Self-respect is the power that does not allow any person to bow down. Be it poverty or hardship, if there is self-respect in the mind, a person can overcome every obstacle…” His words seemed to have cast a spell on the entire auditorium. There was truth, experience and also the spark of struggle in Pinky’s words. Her speech had given the message that the real decoration of a person lies in his values and not in expensive clothes. As soon as the speech ended, the entire auditorium echoed with thunderous applause. Pinky could never forget that moment, while countless people were clapping just for her words, for her courage and for her self-respect.
When the results were announced, Pinky stood first. While giving the trophy, the principal said, “Pinky, today you have proved that success does not depend on show, but on faith.” While coming down from the stage, the same classmates of Pinky, who used to laugh at her clothes, were standing with their heads down today. After returning home, Pinky placed the trophy in her father’s lap and said, “Father, whatever I have won today is because of the lessons I have learned from you.” Her father’s eyes filled with tears. He hugged Pinky to his heart. -Prerna Awasthi