The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXI

Ibrahim Ameen
Abdullah Al-Makramani, Teacher
Salman Al-Farsi, Sana’a, Yemen
Since my childhood, I have had a fear of public speaking. I was scared of even
participating in class. Every time I was asked to speak in the morning assembly
in school, I couldn’t say a word. I used to watch other students speaking in the
assembly and wonder, “How could they do that?”
One day, the teacher asked me to prepare a small speech about the teachers
and read it in the morning assembly. I was scared and anxious. The following
day I said that I was sick to excuse myself from going to school. I stayed home.
At home I was upset. I thought about the problem that made me skip school
for a whole day. I thought of ways to overcome this problem. I realized that
the only way is to try to speak in public, in front of students, even for one time.
This would allow me to do it again without fear.
“There are no
words to describe
my feelings. I was
very happy and
proud of myself.”
I finally went back to school. I stood in the last row during the assembly. I
observed students speaking on the stage. I thought to myself, I could do this,
one time.
I was encouraged, and I decided to do it. It was the most difficult experience
in my life. I stood on the stage. I felt my body shaking. I bumbled, but at the
end I did it. There are no words to describe my feelings. I was very happy and
proud of myself. I learned from my friends who were good at public speaking.
I had the courage to try. I tried, and I succeeded. One time after another, I
improved, and I have completely overcome this fear. I now like to speak in
school assembly, and I am keen to be part of it.
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
Volume XXXI
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