My First speech at School

I cherish deeply the memories of my parents in my heart, as expressed by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:6 and 12. Verse 6 of the tapestry of words reveals a mother's love—pure, bold, and tender—a kind of love that is unparalleled. She is a source of comfort and solace in her embrace. Verse 12, a brushstroke of wisdom and grace, reveals a father’s love with a steadfast pace, guiding us to live a life divine. In God’s presence, our hearts align. Two verses, woven with love’s gentle thread—a mother’s love, a father’s guidance—are widespread. In this artful tapestry, their love shines—a masterpiece of love, both divine. In the realm of existence, they dance as one. Two facets intertwine, like a coin undone. Opposing forces, yet forever entwined, create a delicate balance and a harmony defined. Each holds a truth, a story to be told. Together, they create a masterpiece that unfolds. In unity, they stand, in a cosmic embrace, two sides of a coin bound. 

My first talk I stood in front of the crowd, shaky. As I started my first public speech, my heart was racing. My face was wet, but I took a deep breath. I think back to when I was in my school's upper primary. Every day, our school started with a morning prayer. The school administration added an extra part called an assembly during the Indo-China War in the mid-60s. During such meetings, we all pledged our national pledge: "India is my country, and all Indians are my brothers and sisters." I love my country, and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage. I will always strive to be worthy of it. I shall give respect to my parents, teachers, and all the elders, and treat everyone with courtesy." The air was full of national unity, national brotherhood, and national love.

 The teachers had the students give talks in class to help them get over their fear of being on stage. They arranged speaking classes, not competitions per se, where pupils had to talk about a certain topic. I stood alone in the realm of fate, where luck or bad luck chose its way, and my teachers chose me to speak on the next occasion. I was a boy who was the most reluctant to talk. To the Lord, I prayed for help because I wanted to get sick that day. God only gives solutions when He wants to. 

My dad never allowed us to miss a class because he wanted his children to climb the ladder. He kept homeopathic medicines in his drawer for things like colds and coughs. I do not remember all the names, but some names like Bryonia and Arsenic come to mind. If we got a fever or coughed, my dad would prescribe us homeopathic medicine. If we had a fever, we would hide it because we would get only kanji (well-boiled rice in water) instead of dosa and chutney. The kids didn’t enjoy kanji. One can take these medications with sugar or in water. I don’t know; my dad always gave it to us in cold, boiled water. 

 Panic began as my speech day approached. I was lost like a penguin in the desert. My mother is my final hope. Investing in motherhood! In a state of complete anarchy, I summoned the strength to confide in her, but my words came out in a faint whisper as if they were terrified of their own existence. Mom was cooking when she saw her wayward child and said, "Well, well, well, what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time, my little troublemaker?" My dear interlocutor, why the scowl? My beloved mother never wanted me to enjoy home's blissful silence! She wanted my voice to be a constant symphony.  I said it like a clumsy waiter. I couldn't keep it to myself—it was like a volcano about to erupt. I summoned bravery, took a deep breath, and My beloved mom asked me the topic I had to talk about. I had fun explaining it to her! Love itself? It's like solving the universe's riddles while juggling torches. It's not like loving our parents or our country. Love is complicated, folks.  Even though she was busier than a squirrel in a nut factory, she took our Bible and started reading 1 Corinthians, chapter 13. Believe it? Wow, multitasking! 

Love Is the Greatest

1 Corinthians, chap 13

13 .1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.[c

 All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love

Oh, I see! So you gave the text a speed-reading treatment, huh? Who needs to read every single word when you’re in a hurry, right? It’s like a race against time, with words flying by like speedy little athletes. Zoom! Hey, no judgment here. We’ve all been there, rushing through life like a caffeinated squirrel on roller skates. Did you catch the gist of the text, at least? Behold, the spotlight shone upon me. It was time for my grand entrance. Everyone leaned in, eager to hear the pearls of wisdom. The anticipation in the room was palpable. I can’t even remember if I opened my mouth, at least I didn’t wet my shorts! Thank goodness for minor victories! Back in the day, I was clueless about this thing called agape—the love that’s willing to sacrifice everything. Ah, youth! So ignorant! Once upon a time, in a land filled with dictionaries and thesauruses, my love affair with words began. And let me tell you, it was a wild ride that showed no signs of stopping!