Being a teacher has its pecks just like it has its period of disappointment but what keeps us going are the victories and honours won. One thing that still sticks till date is to never judge things from mere appearances alone. The story of how I came to this realization is what I'll be unravelling.
**3 years ago *”
My school decided to host a competition but in a unique style. Instead of the usual spelling bees or “maths quiz* competition we were used to, my school administrative team decided to use colours. I know that one can be creative with a lot of things but dealing with colours seemed like a new path to tread.
Like a square peg in a round holeI was chosen to lead team blue. Wait Ma, I don't think I can do this. I need another colour” I protested to our headmistress but she gave me a look that said”don't belittle yourself” and instantly, the remaining words of protest got swallowed up.
My other colleagues received easy colours of green, yellow and pink. I wanted to switch to any of the above colours but no one obliged me. Now you might be wondering why I'm stressing out simply for a colour. Well that's because you don't know the outlines of the presentation.
According to our headmistress, each team was to make colour presentations on food, drinks, animals,household items and other equipment that carry the said colour, plus a speech. I was frantic as I thought hard on where I would've able to get food items in blue and other things required.
”Miss Becky,come and see my own items”. This was Miss George, the team leader of the team yellow, calling my attention. When I got to her corner and saw all the items she had already acquired,my pulse began to drop. Merely looking at the sun yellow plantains, the vegetable oil and other household items in colour yellow that she had amassed got me questioning our headmistress’ decision.
Despite feeling disadvantaged, I still summoned courage to prepare my team for the presentation. I did all my preparations in secret and many of my colleagues thought that I was not preparing. In fact they had already chosen a winner in colour green or colour yellow in their hearts. Their silent whispers of affirmation for both colours proved it to me but nevertheless, I carried on.
The D-Day for the competition proper finally arrived and we were given huge display tables with which we were to display our items. I saw the other teams rushing to fill their tables happily. I quickly called Julia, a young student I chose as my assistant to help me bring out our stuff.
”Ma, where should I place this cocktail?” Julia was asking me and I showed her a beautiful spot to keep it where I knew that it would catch the eyes of the audience.
”Julia, ,bring out the surprise presentation from that corner an keep it under the table for me”. ” Yes ma” was her reply as she went to do as she was told. The competition officially started and shockingly, I was given the first slot to present. I started off by making introductions then a surprise choreography by the blue team members followed.
I began to unveil the items on my display table according to the requirements. I unveiled blue rice, blue cake, blue cocktail wine, blue whale made with cardboard paper and lots more. I also unveiled items with the colour blue while explaining their usage. Lastly, I presented a miniature school building project made with paper and coloured blue.
A round of applause for Miss Becky and her team” said the Emcee and the next colour was called upon for presentation. All the other colours did their presentations very well but I kept my fingers crossed.
After about two hours of presentation with each team allotted only thirty minutes to present,the judges were called to send in their results. At this juncture, I had given up hope of winning. I was prepared for the worst outcome from the results but to my greatest surprise, the emcee announced the fourth position to be team yellow and I could feel my pulse reviving.
Next up were team green and team pink,taking third and second positions respectively. ”Oh no, what is happening right now?” was all I could say. Then the emcee went ..”And the winners for today's competition is team bluuuueeeee!”.
I screamed, I jumped, I laughed hysterically because it was so unexpected. Who would have thought that a team I was willing to exchange turned out to be the winning team.
I was called on stage to receive the medal and also to give a short speech. I thanked everyone present including my incredible team for their support and faith in me. When I felt like I wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, they helped me hone my creativity. The cup in my hands was proof that appearances can be fickle.
Thank you all for reading.
Images used are mine. Taken at the time of the competition.