By the time it was January 2, only six days were left for Saira’s school to reopen.

“Ugh! Why do schools always have to reopen so early?” Saira grumbled. “Can’t school reopen after two months instead? I mean, schools should be closed for at least two months in winter too!”

Saira’s mother smiled.

“Schools give you education, and education leads you to success. If they remain closed for months, how are you going to get educated?” she said, smiling smugly.

“Whatever! Always homework, homework and more homework!” Saira grumbled.

A few days later, Saira’s school reopened. All the children were happy, their faces shining with smiles — except for Saira. She was feeling grumpier than ever.

“Hey there!” greeted Saira’s best friend, Naria.

“Hi… I don’t feel like coming to school,” Saira replied.

“I know… it happens. But did you see the notice board? There’s an inter-school speech competition in seven days, and the winner gets that pink bicycle that was just advertised on TV! And the second prize is the biggest art supplies set, and the third…” Naria was cut off in the middle of her sentence.

“Pink bicycle?” Saira almost yelled in excitement, forgetting completely about her bad mood. Her eyes widened at the mention of the prize. She wanted the pink bicycle so badly. Ever since it was advertised, she had been whining to get it.

“Oh, I want that bicycle so much! I will do my best to win the competition,” Saira said.

The whole day at school, Saira kept dreaming about the bicycle. From that very day, she started preparing for her speech — reading, writing down points and then turning some of them into a full speech.

The topic of the speech was left open for everyone to choose for themselves. It was all about how someone presented it and proved their points. Saira felt confident because, for her, it was a realisation. She had been feeling dull and unmotivated, not interested in coming to school at all. But as soon as she heard about the bicycle, all her grumpiness and negativity vanished. She was suddenly full of energy and motivation to do her best. That excitement and change in her attitude became the topic of her speech as well.

The seven days went by quickly. She worked hard, memorising her speech over and over until the big day arrived. However, when the day finally came, Saira felt very nervous.

“What if I lose the competition?” she thought. “Everyone will laugh at me and I’ll lose the chance of getting the bicycle.”

As she was lost in her thoughts, her name was called out. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to speak and show all her hard work.

She went up on the stage and began her speech. When she finished, she felt confident that she would win. However, destiny had planned something else. Another participant presented a speech that won the hearts of the judges and Saira came second.

The principal praised her motivational speech, but Saira was too disappointed to say anything. Just then, the participant who came first murmured something to the principal. The principal looked puzzled.

Then she announced, “We have a slightly confusing situation. The winner wants to switch her prize with the runner-up. So I am asking you, Saira — are you willing to switch your prizes?”

Saira was surprised. It felt like a dream come true. The bicycle was all she wanted and for the other participant, the art set was all she wanted.

Saira won the pink bicycle, not because she had come first, but because of a twist of fate. That day, as she rode the bicycle home with a big smile on her face, she realised that her hard work had helped her stand on the stage as the runner-up, but her unexpected luck had made her dream come true.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 10th, 2026