PSLE: An achievement

Lakdul gave a long sigh and stared with his worn-out Nike shoes.  It was the Sports Carnival and he was supposed to participate in the 4 by 100 metre relay.  His nickname was – Fatty – and he had violently protested when he was selected for it but it was in vain.  Mrs Tan thought that he needed to cut some flab and that was it. 

Could he win or bring shame to his class?  He had been training hard for the past few weeks.  He could not bear to disappoint his classmates, could he?  Keeping his fingers crossed, he stepped onto the tangerine rubbery track and got ready.

The stadium was teeming with spectators.  It felt like a boisterous cavalcade, filled with chatters and laughter.  Every seat was filled and the pupils’ faces were flushed red with energy and glistened with sweat.  Perspiration soaked their shirts.  Student vendors were selling popcorn, Coke and whatnots. 

Soon,it was Lakdul’s event - the final one.  Bang!  The starter gun fired into the air and the athletes took off and typhooned down the tracks like strong gales.  All the students, dressed in brightly coloured sport attires, stood up to watch the race.  Their faces were painted with intense excitement as the class scores on the tally board were all neck and neck.  This was THE race to decide the winning class!

Cheerleading teams from each class were doing their magic.  It was as if they were on a test on which team was the best.  One sounded like a broken radio that was badly coordinated.  The next team was better and sounded like a trumpet.  The best was the team from Lakdul’s class.  Known to be the class of nerds, they proved everyone wrong by giving the loudest cheer.  The voices were like lava that erupted from a dormant volcano, which sliced into every nook, crevice and corner.

Lakdul could hear them loud and clear!  “Run Nerdies run!  Do us proud! Win them out! Run Nerdies run!” they boomed from a distance away.

Lakdul gulped down the stone in his throat.  The next class was a little faster and their last runner had sprinted off.  He had to be better than him!  It was win or die!

Soon, he caught hold of the metallic baton and blasted off like a cannonball out of a cannon.  To say that Lakdul ran very fast was definitely an understatement.  He was lightning fast!  Swishhhhhhh!  His feet stomped harder and faster than ever and he raced towards the finishing line like there was no tomorrow!  At the last split of a second, he finally overtook his opponent!

Yayyyyy!   He made it! He was the first to cross the yellow line and was declared the winner!  The Nerdies had won the overall class championship of the year.  What a win!  Mouths hung open in astonishment!  Lakdul, the fat boy could run!  Wow!  Everyone in class rushed forwards and threw him in the air!  He was the hero of the day. Woohoo!

Lakdul smiled.   He was glowing like a light bulb with pride.  It was an achievement that would stay with him for a long time to come.  No one called him Fatty anymore.