Certain events that happen during our school and college days remain fresh and green in our minds – even though much water has flown under the bridge. Some may bring happiness or grief or admiration at our valour. The experience I am going to relate now belongs to the third category. 

During college days, I tried participating in all extra-curricular activities like College Day plays, Recitation and Oratorical Competitions. Not that I won prizes in the events, but the spirit of participation even now gives me enormous satisfaction. 

The event I can never forget was the Recitation Competition that took place in the afternoon session. I had participated in the Inter-Collegiate Elocution just that morning and bagged first prize. My staff adviser had told me that I might not be able to do justice to the second competition the same day. For me, it was catching the opportunity by the neck and so her advice fell on deaf ears.

Of course, I had memorised the lines of the famous speech of Antony at the marketplace from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The opening line, “Friends, Romans and Countrymen, lend me your ears” – I can never forget in my life.

Before any competition begins, we have to pick the lots. Here am I rushing to this venue from the Auditorium where the Oratorical competition had just got over. I was highly excited for I had made my mark there. Confidently, I came to the present venue hoping I might be lucky a second time the same day. Alas, when I picked up the lots, my number was ONE. I had to open the Competition! I lost my confidence considerably. Still, I was trying to exchange my place with anyone willing. None came forward to go first on stage and open the Competition.

Left with no alternative, bringing all my courage together, I climbed onto the stage. I had asked my friend to occupy the first row with the copy of the speech and prompt me when needed. I started the famous speech of Antony – “Friends, ROMANCE…” lo and behold, the passage had gone with the wind. I couldn’t recollect a single line after that due to my initial blunder.

But I didn’t stand shell-shocked and promptly started making my own lines. Even now, if you ask me what I had said on that day, I wouldn’t know. But I finished the whole speech while the judges were frantically turning the pages of the book searching for the passage. My lecturer told them that I was making my own lines. My friend whom I had asked to prompt me, in turn, was showing me signs to give up and get off the stage. But I stayed there reciting the concocted passage. 

Once I felt the speech was over, I got down from the stage, took my bag and disappeared from the scene, not wanting to see anyone. After the judges announced the prizes, they were asking for me. They praised my attempt at not cutting a sorry figure on the stage but to continue till the end. 

I am sure my action set the right ambience of perseverance and never to give up. To me, this is the spirit of Competition.