CHAPTER SIX

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It' is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.--- Albert Schweitzer

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

The bell rang for practical class, Helen hurried out with other students as they took their practical notes with them.

In an orderly file, they entered the laboratory and sat down. Helen couldn't meet up as she was serving detention when they had the first two classes.

She stared as her classmates performed the practical with dexterity and tried to follow their movements.

After the class, she approached her teacher.

"Good afternoon Sir" She greeted.

"Good afternoon Helen"

"Sir, can I be given an opportunity to re-take my missed practicals."

He stared at her for some seconds before replying "How was today's class?"

"I tried to follow what others were doing Sir" She replied

He assessed her for some seconds again. "You know what, see me at the end of school hours, I will see what I can do"

"Thank you Sir!" She replied happily and ran out. She was almost late for sports hour.

She joined her friends as they skipped the ropes.

"What did Mr David say? Sarah asked looking at her intently.

" I will meet with him after school hours"

"That's great!"

"It sounds like an afternoon date" Evelyn chipped in smiling mischievously.

"Don't be stupid" Helen replied and started skipping.

"Well, Mr David's hot!, I could go out with him in a second.Too bad, I have a steady boyfriend" She said as she dropped the ropes and sat on one of the benches.

"That aside, is this how you will approach every teacher to redo your tests?" She continued because they started their tests two days earlier.

"Yes, I hope they give a positive response" Helen replied with a sigh.

"If they don't help, all you have to do is read for the second tests."

"I guess I would do that" Helen responded as she caught sight of Brett who walked past with basketball in his hands. She waved at him.

After sports, the girls went to have lunch and later returned for their afternoon classes.

Helen took her bag as school closed and returned her books to her locker and then walked down the hall.

"Hi Helen" Brett called as he raced over to where she stood.

"Can I drop you?" He asked. She refused as she saw Mina approaching them. She couldn't afford to go through another punishment.

"Why?" He asked spreading his hands.

"Nothing." Helen replied and made to move. He held her hands to stop her.

"Brett please don't make this difficult." She replied in response.

"Is it because of your cousin?" He asked still holding on to her.

"You know yet you decide to disturb me"

"Allow me to drop you. We will discuss this on the way"

"Hi Brett!" Mina said behind them as she wrapped her hands around him.Helen turned and started walking away.

"Helen wait" Brett called as he removed himself from Mina's grip.

"What business do you have with her, Brett?" Mina shouted after him.

*******

"Good afternoon Sir"

Helen greeted her English teacher as she entered his office.

"Helen, how are you doing? He asked looking up at her.

"I am fine Sir" she responded

"You want to redo your tests right?" He asked with a knowing smile.

"Yes Sir" She replied and bent her head.

"Sit down" He said to her.

She obeyed and he gave her a printed paper. She wondered what it had to do with writing an English test. She took a close look. It was the same with the poster she saw the other day.

"DAY OF WORDS" She read the caption again and this time around decided to read through the paper.

"Sir, what is this about?"

"This is an annual global competition and you are going for it."

"Not me Sir, global competition? Did you just say global? I don't even know how to speak"

"That's not true"

"Sir, I have never stood in front of a crowd before" She protested.

"Now you will"

"Sir, what if I fail?" She tried to discourage him.

"What if you win?" He replied her.

"Sir?"

"Helen?"

She sighed and looked down at the paper one more time.

"This isn't for me, I would not even pass through the first round,"She thought.

She was sure of that but her teacher had other plans.

"We will have practice every Saturday and Sunday evenings. The first round comes in January."

"Is the Principal aware?" She had to ask because the woman would never favour her in anything that would make her successful. She had gone against her uncle's decision to give her a scholarship but the man had made his decision.

"Of course, but she doesn't know it's you" Mr Ben responded. She nodded knowingly.

"How will I go then?" She asked.

"Leave that to me"

She looked at him and wondered the miracle he thought of performing. Well maybe the days of Moses was here again.

"Are you ready for your test now?" Mr Ben interrupted her thoughts.

"Yes Sir." She responded.