A SINCERE POET VS A SMART SPEAKER

FROM THE PEN APN
21ST SEPTEMBER,2014

In college he was famed as a gifted poet and I, as a gifted speaker. He was the gentlest and soft-spoken boy in the college and I was a vibrant flashing character.
The election time neared. All the college convulsed with election fever. Pushing cards, banners, posters and such election materials dovetailed with vigorous campaigning of aspiring student leaders and the voters were lured by all possible means. That year the hustle and bustle of the college in that pre-election time was unprecedented.

I was made to stand as an opponent to that gentle but talented guy. While on a campaigning move on the corridors of 1st floor of the college I was introduced to him. In a few minutes I could feel that he is a better candidate than me. His abnormally normal and greatly simple personality made a profound impression in my heart. I was conquered by his genuinely modest behaviour and sincere friendly smiles.

I learnt from him the quality of sincerity in one’s approach. He was endowed with a poetic heart and that made him glide with effortless ease into the minds of his fellow students. He used to speak from the heart.

He was contesting for the post of LITERARY SECRETARY and so was I. I campaigned with smart, quirk, witty and pleasing remarks like the smart TV anchors. But he moved like a stream of poetic sensibility with definite rhythm and beautiful bends. He was like an ART FILM and I was like a full entertainment comedy film. He had enormous depth but I had a flashing surface. He was real gold but I was a shining piece of imitation. I had a brilliantly shining surface but he had a deeply matured inner faculty. He had depth but I had outward show. Te whole college was agog for the results.

The election was over. Then the counting was also over and an authoritative voice announced on the loud speaker which declared that I was the winner. I felt “REAL GOLD WAS ONCE AGAIN OVERSHADOWED BY GLITTERING IMITATION.” The majority of students stood by my side being lured by an empty flash of charisma but they missed who really deserved the post..............

14 years after, in the social networking site one day I discovered that same old face with the same sincere eyes and the same all-conquering smile receiving the “Best Young Poet’s Award of the state” from the hands of the honorable C.M of the state. I looked at the piece of news and commented below..... REAL GOLD HAS LASTING VALUE.