A Rabbit, A Certificate, An Exam I Story by Smrithi, 13, Bengaluru

A Rabbit, A Certificate, An Exam

A rabbit, a certificate, a medal, a grand ceremony—all for me, just waiting for me to enter 8th grade. As I ascended into the clouds, which were beyond, the new life had come. But suddenly, I hear a whack! “Wait, was that a dream?!” I inquire. No wonder there was a rabbit. Seriously out of nowhere, a rabbit.

There was no time to think, for I had school. And what exactly was that ‘whack’? Well, that was my mother slapping me out of sleep. “Get up! Come on! Your first examination is today. I believe it is the science subject.” My mother wanted me to get up on my feet, and so I had to.

I trudged along to the washroom and got ready. I wore my uniform and ate my breakfast, but I did not go yet, as my younger sister was still brushing her teeth! So, I just sat there, waiting and waiting and more waiting. Finally, she had come, I rushed down and went to school!

I entered the school with a fresh basket of butterflies in my stomach. It didn’t seem so scary before, but as I reached the exam hall I could hear a “brr” in my stomach! I headed to my exam hall, where I met my friend. She was irritating, but she was still a friend. And before I could say “best of luck,” the invigilator stormed in, handing out the papers.

I wrote everything I knew and handed in my paper. “Whew! What a relief!” I said. My friend was looking out of the window and overlooked the small house. I was wondering what was so interesting outside. I saw a maid washing vessels, she spoke to another lady saying “sorry, madam, but I cannot come to work on Monday; my son is not well, and I have to look after him.” And she took her leave.

After witnessing them, I realized that I had to go to my native country this weekend and may not be able to write my last exam of Mathematics on Monday. I might fail or I will fail. I will not be able to pass on to 8th grade. Then my friend asked me, “You look unhappy. What’s the problem?” I just took my bag and said, “I just realized I was going to fail this year,” and I left.

I reached home, ate lunch, and studied for the upcoming exams. I was very worried. What if I wasn’t promoted to the next class? My parents always joked around like that, and it looks like they weren’t joking after all. Their prediction is bound to happen. As the days went by, each paper I wrote and the weekend zoomed in. I felt that dreadful feeling that I might fail in 7th grade. What was the whole point of studying for other exams then?

The week had finished now, and we left for my native country. I spent the weekend playing and studying just in case we could make it back home in time for my exam. I judged wrong; we actually came a day later than planned. I henceforth will never pass. I didn’t really have hope. My mind went on a holiday. I never bothered to study.

Then my results were out. I was ecstatic that I had passed, or, should I say, conditionally passed. I didn’t care. The school could not, or rather cannot, fail me until 10th grade. It’s the government’s rule. To celebrate, we had ice cream that day. I really wanted a chocolate scoop, but it was all over. So, I took a mongo scoop. My mom asked me, “So, what have you learned over this year?” I said, “I learned to let things go. There is no point in overthinking things that are not in your control.” And Amma, stop asking questions. And I could taste that amazing ice cream!

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