
The vacations were over, but the heat of summer continued.
It was the last hour of the day when Mrs. Taylor said, “Denise, you have failed Mathematics again.”
My mind went blank. That meant I wasn’t eligible to be in the grade.
I sat dejected on the front steps as one by one; my schoolmates went past me and returned to their home. I could feel the tears sliding down my cheek as I buried my head in my crossed arms and sobbed. A few moments passed, I felt a comforting hand on my back. Mrs. Taylor sat next to me.
“Denise, don’t be scared. There is still some hope. I’ve requested the headmistress for rechecking the paper. She’s checking it now”, she said. Footsteps echoed, and I saw the headmistress approach. Her face gave nothing away, but a moment later came a smile on her lips and a small nod of the head. I rejoiced.
As I walked back home, I felt something fall on my cheek. A raindrop settled there, and was soon followed by more. The skies darkened and calming rain fell from the heavens. I forgot myself in its beauty, and skipped like I had when I was younger.
As I walked down the curving path, hands on the side like flying with the breeze, I realized that nothing had to end with failure. Failure would have to end sometime too. A few tears of joy, of relief would flood my face now; they’d be known only to me, to the world they’d be just another raindrop.
For Thursday Tales, with image by Spider13Bug
🙂 sometimes simple words speak volumes.most beautiful is the smile that struggles through the tears. Rain I see as a sign of rejuvenation, same goes with the tears.. they heal. Failure is certainly not the end but a new beginning. A seed dies to give way to a sapling.
An inspiring story…:)I love the rains like Denise does!After some cloudy moments, comes sunshiny days…:)A few tears of joy coupled with a smile!
Thorougly enjoyed this Leo, thanks for sharing.Yvonne.
It hit me somewhere deep inside.. Vinay you are tooo good. you know how to write and what to write.. 🙂 Loved it..
Thanks to: Tiku.yeah. i guess it is! 🙂 somethings just need a new start, and thats what Denise got too na?
Thanks to: Amity.yes. a few tears coupled with a smile! 🙂
Thanks to: Yvonne.yes. glad u liked it 🙂
Thanks To: Unhinged.glad u liked it dear! 🙂 thanks for ur wonderful words of praise.
yeah, failure is not fatal as it seems to be. success tastes sweet after bitter experience of failure.
Thanks to: Deepak.glad u liked it. and yes, it does seem sweeter! 🙂
Oh, I love the way you turn the rain from something miserable into something light and wonderful. This has the same sensibility as Singing in the Rain always gives me. And yes, failure DOES have to end at some point. I really like that line.
thanks to: susan.glad u liked it! 🙂 thanks forthe wonderful comment!