Have you ever been jealous of anybody in your life? I mean to say- really very jealous. Well, I have been once very jealous. I was in seventh standard in school then. I was a rather skinny, bespectacled, clumsy boy who always sat at the last bench and never answered a single question asked by the teacher. I was the class joker. The moment I said something- the other students would laugh. They often mimicked me.

Those days were very difficult. I was only an average student. I remember there was a boy in our class. His name was Edward Hollow. Edward was the most brilliant student in our class. He always knew about all the chapters that were there in the book. He was not only brilliant but very handsome and popular with girls. The school was proud of him. I remember feeling very jealous of him during my growing up years. I wished I could live that kind of life.

I would watch him flirting with girls, drag myself out of the class room and reach home and eat a cold lunch because my mom was out selling things to people on doorsteps. I remember once I accompanied my mom on her trip and as fate would have it we reached Edward’s Hollow’s house. It was a big, impressive house- I didn’t know then that it belonged to him. He himself answered the door, feigned surprise and asked us to leave in the most rude manner.

From that day I hated Edward all the more. The way he talked to my mom was abominable. He had no right to do that. My mom told me one thing on that day- she told me that the world is full of people like Edward Hollow. She told me they are everywhere. Our aim in life should be to make a place for ourselves in society and then tackle all these Edwards and show them their right position. I promised my mom that day that I will definitely do this.

From that day, I studied hard and gave attention to my books. I can’t say I have fulfilled my promise to mom- but for sure I will never let her down in my life. I will keep on striving always.

I must take your leave now. Please take care. Bye

The ‘common man’ never forgot his roots and his mother’s advice. It was he who stood by the office clerk when he was being expelled for no mistake of his. He had learnt that common people can make a lot of difference in their individual ways.