Story

*"The Boy From The Last Bench"* _By Tarik Mohammad Toki_ Rafi is in class eight. His biggest fear is speaking in front of everyone. His friends call him "Silent Rafi". The school's annual cultural program. Each class has to recite one poem. The sir came to the class and called Rafi's name and said, "Rafi, you will recite the poem 'Manush'." Hearing this, Rafi's heart skipped a beat. His hands and feet turned cold like ice. From the back bench, Shihab whispered, "Rafi from the last bench? He can't even read properly in class!" The whole class burst into laughter. Returning home, Rafi stood in front of the mirror. "I am a man..." The words wouldn't come out. His voice trembled. His father returned from the office and understood everything just by looking at his son's face. He said nothing. He just came and put a hand on Rafi's shoulder. That one touch gave Rafi courage. From the next day, Rafi had a new routine. At dawn, he went to the roof and first talked to the trees: "I am a man, I am fearless." On the second day, he recited it to the sparrows in the courtyard. On the third day, in the evening, he stood in front of his father. His father just smiled gently and patted his head. The day of the program. The school hall was packed with people. In the front row sat the Head Sir, beside him the guardians, and behind them the whole school. Rafi's turn was last, number 23. Getting on stage, Rafi saw hundreds of eyes looking at him. Standing in front of the microphone, his throat went dry. Suddenly he remembered his father's words: "If you are afraid, you will fall behind. If you are not afraid, you will move forward." Rafi closed his eyes once. He took a deep breath. Then he opened his eyes and looked at the audience. "I am a man..." For the first two lines, his voice trembled and stammered. The hall was silent. Shihab was smirking. By the third line, Rafi's voice became clear. "He who stays awake in the eyes, he who awakens life..." As he recited, Rafi's hands moved, his eyes shone. At the last line, "Who are those who hate mankind, they are equal to worms and insects!" the entire hall erupted in applause. From the front row, the Head Sir himself stood up. The sir came on stage and put his hand on Rafi's head. He said into the microphone, "Remember everyone, the boys from the last bench one day sit on the front bench and make history." On the way home that day, Rafi understood that fear is actually just a shadow. When you turn on the light, the shadow runs away. By conquering it, a person becomes a warrior. _The End_