Public Speaking

First time I did any public speaking I was around 7 or 8 years old. There was an Essay competition organised at  my fathers office. My father gave my name hoping I might win it. I think he was more motivated about it than me, he even wrote the essay for me. I don’t remember what the topic was. I just had to memorize it and blurt it out on the day of the competition. That’s how I was first put up for public speaking, not on my own free will, my dads free will off course. 

I spent few days memorizing the essay word by word. Day of competition arrived, I wore a light blue T-Shirt, Khaki shorts, and sandals. The competition was to be held in an auditorium. I reached the auditorium with my father and when I saw the huge auditorium and the shear number of people inside, I panicked. I got so nervous that I forgot everything I had memorized. I took my seat next to my father. One my one few kids climbed up to the podium and recited their essays. Finally, it was my turn. I walked nervously towards the podium, I could hear my father cheering me up in the background, every step I took was so heavy that I felt my legs are jammed. Some how I reached up to the podium and at this point I was so nervous that I didn’t even looked up. I reached for the paper, on which my essay was written, in my back pocket. I opened it up and in one single breath without looking up blurted everything, which was on the piece of paper. And quickly rushed back to my seat. Reflecting on it I can imagine it must have been the most boring public speaking. Off course I didn’t win any prize.  It took me years to gather courage, and lot of practice to go on stage again and speak independently with confidence. 

Now I don’t have to look for paper in my back pocket. It comes naturally but still off all the public speaking I have done the only one I remember clearly is the one I described.