Are You Really Excellent?

A Story by Palash

It's about the meaning of 'excellence' from my point of view

“Papa, papa, I stood second this semester and got a prize for that! Isn’t it excellent?” Once I was shouting these with triumphant voice running towards my father jumping. I was only 8 then. The prize in my hand made me feel like I had conquered the whole world! My father received me stretching his affectionate arms and took me in his lap and sat on his favorite rocking chair. I was full of joy thinking my father would appreciate me offering gifts. But to my surprise, he didn’t. With a calm voice he just said, “Good, my boy, very good…” I was not contended with a simple “very good” tag on my face. I was expecting more from my father for the achievement I got. Being a blunt boy, I asked on his face, “just it, papa? Aren’t you happy with what I’ve earned?” He flashed me a smile and said “Yes, I’m, my son. You’ve done a good job. But remember one thing for the rest of your life- second winner is the first looser! ”
I got down almost forcefully from the lap of my father getting such comments that were at the opposite extreme my expectation. He tried, though, to make me understand what his words really meant and tried to pull me several times back on his lap. But as a boy of stubborn nature, I walked off in a huff.
Those were the days of innocence when a lad would hardly know the inner meaning of excellence. But now that I’ve grown up, I can understand well why my father did not called me excellent.
Excellence is something that has neither any boundary nor any measurement. It is something that the surrounding decides. So now, if you are thinking abiding the society’s age-old tradition and getting claps for that will make you excellent, then you are wrong. Actually it means to have your dream fulfilled making others dream come true. Seeming difficult? Not at all. You dream the one that is the dream of the millions. When you succeed reigning on your dream making it happen, million others will start walking on the same road you tried. And do one thing too. Reach the summit of what you desire. Don’t just give it a shot; give 100% of your strength. Don’t let your dream go; stick to it whatever happens. A well done job saves a day. So, live your dream everyday: laying each brick of making your castle. Surely one day you’ll enjoy your dream castle and the people who try to stop you now saying “Huh! You can’t do it” would then say “Wow! You are really excellent.”