IT IS BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!

It Is Better Late Than NeverThe school bell rang loudly, echoing across the compound. Students rushed into their classrooms, but I was still standing outside the gate, panting heavily like someone who had just finished running a marathon.“Close the gate!” the security man shouted.My heart sank. I had overslept that morning. It wasn’t the first time, but this time it felt worse. A very important inter-school storytelling competition was taking place that day, and I had been selected to represent my school. The competition was to start by 9:00 a.m., and it was already past 8:30.I ran towards the security man.“Please, sir! I have a competition today,” I pleaded.He looked at me with a serious face. “Rules are rules. The gate has been closed.”My mind began to race. I had practised my story for weeks. I imagined the judges sitting at a long table, the audience waiting patiently, and my empty seat on the stage. Tears began to gather in my eyes.Just then, a teacher walking by overheard our conversation.“What is the problem here?” she asked.“Ma, I have a storytelling competition today, but I’m already late,” I replied, my voice shaking.The teacher looked at me carefully. “Let her in,” she said to the security man. “She should run to the hall immediately.”Before the security man could change his mind, I dashed through the gate and ran across the school field. My heart was beating like a drum. When I reached the hall, the competition had already started. One contestant was just finishing her story, and the audience clapped loudly.I quietly slipped inside and sat at the back, feeling embarrassed and disappointed. I was sure they had already skipped my turn.Suddenly, the coordinator called my name.“Next contestant, Blessing Nneji.”For a moment, I thought I was dreaming. I quickly stood up and walked towards the stage. My legs were shaking, but when I looked at the audience, I remembered all the practice I had done.I took a deep breath and began my story.At first, my voice was small, but soon confidence filled my heart. I acted out the characters, changed my voice, and used my hands to bring the story to life. The audience laughed at the funny parts and listened carefully during the serious moments.When I finished, the hall was silent for a second… then loud applause filled the room.Later, when the results were announced, my heart almost jumped out of my chest.“First place goes to… Blessing Nneji!”I could hardly believe it. The same person who had arrived late had just won the competition.As I walked home that day with my certificate shining in my hands, I smiled and remembered the lesson the day had taught me.