Recount a time when you overcame a challenge.

The school bell's ring pierced through the air. Laughter filled the hall as students jostled about with their friends. It was the annual show-and-tell competition and I had been chosen to represent our class. While fiddling with my script, beads of perspiration trickled down my forehead. In thirty minutes time, I would have to take up one of my biggest challenges - speaking in front of a crowd. Anxiously, I thought about how I had been chosen...

“Class, the annual show-and-tell competition is coming up in a month’s time. Who would like to represent our class?” our form teacher, Mrs Ang, who was also the discipline mistress, asked earnestly. However, the entire class was quiet, with no one raising their hands. Mrs Ang’s beady eyes and loud, booming voice made her infamous in our school. Her icy cold stare could even make a grown man quake. “Then, I shall choose someone,” Mrs Ang announced. I closed my eyes and sunk down my chair, cowering behind my table, hoping not to be seen. Praying that I would not be chosen, I trembled in fear.

However, my prayer went unheard. “Tim, you shall represent 1A in this competition.” Mrs Ang's stern voice reverberated through the classroom. I could hear murmurs around me. “No! Why is it always me! I have the worst luck.” I thought to myself. Being an introvert, I lacked friends and would usually dive into books or prefer to stay at home than go out and socialise. "Mrs Ang choosing me to speak in front of the whole school could have been the worst thing that happened to me," I mumbled. Since I did not want to get into trouble with Mrs Ang, I reluctantly nodded.

After school, I heaved my heavy backpack on my shoulder and trudged out of the classroom. Fear, raw and intense, pulsated through my being as I could imagine myself standing in front of hundreds of pairs of eyes, embarrassing myself. Suddenly, an arm touched my shoulders. Realisation hit me - it was my best friend, Jason. Unlike me, Jason was outspoken and had many friends. "You can do it, Tim! I believe in you!" Jason exclaimed, trying to cheer me up, but to no avail. Silently, I stared at the ground. Seeing this, Jason offered to help me, “Why don’t we go to the library everyday to rehearse our speech, it would help you!” My face lit up. Gratitude shone through my eyes as I agreed.

Pulling up to the library, Jason walked with a skip in his step. From that day onwards, Jason and I always practised together. There were many occasions where I wanted to give up, but Jason would always be there to comfort me. Days passed by and soon, it was the day of the competition.

As all the people gathered in the hall, my heart accelerated. Anxiety tied a knot in my stomach as I peeked through the curtains. One by one, the competitors from the various classes spoke. They were speaking very fluently which made me nervous. Just then, Jason approached me to spur me on. “The entire class believes in you! Remember to take a deep breath!” Jason encouraged jubilantly as he gave me a fistbump. I looked at him in admiration. How lucky I am to have such a good friend! I thought thankfully.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s welcome Tim Ang from1A!” the speaker boomed. That was my cue. Walking towards the stage, I looked at the huge crowd. Cheers emanated throughout the hall. “Good morning, Mrs Wu, vice-principal...” At that moment, there was a deafening screech from my microphone. Some of the students laughed and jeered while others looked at me pitifully. My legs were wobbling like jelly and my arms were trembling. Just when I was getting light-headed from the stress of failing, Jason's actions caught my eyes. He wanted me to take a deep breath! He kept signalling to me to take deep breaths in and out to calm myself. Taking a deep breath, I continued with my speech. To my surprise, I was speaking fluently! Joy, pure and unadulterated, flowed through me. Who knew I had the capability to speak this well? This task was not as difficult as I had thought!

With one last breath, I finished my speech to a thunderous applause that filled the air as the judges praised me for my speedy recovery. Striding down the stage, I punched the air in utter delight.

Yes! I did it!” I exclaimed. Euphoria flooded my heart as I gave Jason a bear hug. In the end the results were revealed and I did not win the competition. However, I was still immensely proud of how I had conquered my challenge. My classmates all cheered for me when I entered the class after the competition. Mrs Ang, too, praised me for being eloquent and confident on stage when representing our class. That day, I learnt that I had a talent for speaking. Truly, we should try new things instead of being afraid of it. As the saying goes, “ Do not judge a book by its cover.” Most of all, I was grateful to

Jason for always being there for me even when I doubted myself. I had really benefited a lot from that experience. That day, I learnt the importance of something very crucial in life: If you have one true friend you have more than your share.

906 words

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