Pride Goes After a Fall

The rising sun threw streaks of orange and red across the sky.

Arjun tried racing with the wind, desperate to reach the next tree before the leaves started rustling due to the breeze. He lost. He reduced the speed and tried his latest stunt again. Letting go of his hands while pedalling.

He’d grown used to it by now, he’d become and expert at it. He was the undefeated world champion. If handsfree bike riding was a category in Olympics, he’d had brought home the gold.

A few more minutes later, Arjun was more confident and decided to up the ante. He was proud and he would be prouder still if he could try another stunt.

After some sureshot planning in his mind, he decided to let go of his feet too. He pedaled fast to achieve the required speed and then let go off his hands and feet at the same time. The next moment, the cycle wobbled and careened off the paved pathway. Arjun grabbed the handlebar but it was already too late by then. He fell sideways on to the grass, with the cycle pinning him down. It was a stupid stunt. He was tempted to quit cycling and go home.

Getting up he brushed the dirt off his clothes, got back on his bike and for a moment contemplated whether to call it a day. His ego was bruised as badly as a ten-year-old's could be.

But undeterred, Arjun got back on his cycle and rode on as usual. He remembered Miss Raina’s words well. The moment of pride wasn't before the fall, but in getting up and trying again.