First Among Equals - books

The only reservation,
he admitted to Ray, was the choice of title. Ray
thanked hini for
the advice but the title remained intact.
On the niorning of Speech Day, the school assembly hall
was packed with
nine hundred pupils and their par-
13
FIRSF AMONG EQUALS
ents. After the headmaster had delivered his speech and
the applause had
died down, he announced, "I shall now call uPon the
winner of the prize
essay competition to deliver his entry: Ray Gould."
Ray left his place in the hall and marched confidently
up onto thi~. stage.
Ile stared down at the two thousand expectant taces but
showed no sign of
apprehension, partly because he found it difficult to
see beyond the third
row. When he announced the title of his essay, some of
the younger children
began to snigger, causing Ray to stumble through his
first few lines. But
by the tirrte hie had reached the last page the packed
hall was still, and
after he had completed the final paragraph he received
the first standing
ovation of his career.
Twelve-year-old Ray Gould left the stage to rejoin his
parents at their seats. His mother's head was bowed but
he could still see teais trickling down her cheeks. His
fa
tber was tr ' ving not to look too proud. Even when Ray
was seated, the applause continued, so he, too, lowered
his head to stare at the title of his prize-winning
essay:
"The First Changes P. Will Make When I Become Prime
Minister."
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