Grade 8, Pride Learning Academy
I woke up early in the morning feeling sleepy and exhausted. I placed a pot filled with water on the stove, and I went back to sleep. I woke up some time later and saw that the water was boiling, noticing that the water was half what I left when I went to sleep. I then realised that if the water was boiling for a long time that meant I was also asleep for a long time. I checked the time; I was hours behind schedule and was late for school.
Unfortunately my mother came out of her bedroom and came into the kitchen. She saw the pot of water boiling and yelled at me so hard that I ended up crying. I bathed and dressed as quick as lightning. When I was still on my way to school, I slipped and fell in the mud; it had rained so it was wet and muddy outside. I had to go back home and change my uniform for another one. I found my mother doing the house chores; still angry about the incident in the morning, she was murmuring to herself.
I changed into another uniform and went back out. I was the only learner on the road; I was so late I could as well have stayed at home, as if my mother was ever going to allow that to happen. When I got to school I was so late it was already break time. I sat on the school lawn and ate my food. Before I went into the classroom, the after-break-time bell rang. Everyone ran into their respective classrooms, while I stood up and cleaned myself. I stood near the classroom door, hesitating to go in. It was so quiet with everyone attentively listening to the teacher. It was as silent as a grave, and when I went in everyone looked at me as if I was Satan himself entering a church.
I apologised for being late and told my excuse, but still the teacher punished me. I spent the whole lunch time watering the school garden with other late-comers. When school was over and I was on my way back home, I sank deep into my thoughts, reflecting on what had happened that day. When I was nearly home I saw a white piece of paper under a rock. I hesitated but ended up picking it up. I opened it and read what was written on it. It said, “GOOD LUCK,” and the words placed a smile on my face. I do not know why, but I wasn’t feeling blue anymore, I felt joy in my heart and thought: what a day! and just hoped for the better tomorrow.