This is a figment of my imagination, but mostly inspired by my 9 year old daughter’s school life and her friends. Its all about friendship. Read on.......

Jessica was an ordinary 10 year old, attending an ordinary school having an often boring but ordinary childhood. Her grades, her hair, her face, her talk, her clothes were all ordinary.

But Jess had some thing extra-ordinary in her. She was the fastest runner in school. When she was on the field, nothing or nobody could beat her. She ruled the tracks. Every time she ran a race, it was as if something took over the ordinary Jess and transformed her into a speeding super girl. She lived each day of her life dreaming of running in the School Athletics Championship.

Every year, selections are made to choose the best athletes in various track and field events. These young athletes aged 10 and above are later on trained professionally and sent to compete in various events across the country. To be selected to represent the school team was the every child’s pride and dream. Jess like a thousand others, had this dream.

It was spring term in school. There were a few new admissions and one of them came to Jess’s class. She was a girl called Mini.

She was from up country, beautiful and brilliant. She instantly became everyone’s favorite. Mini loved to make friends and tell stories. The whole class was raving about the new girl, except Jess. Who was interested in Barbies’ clothes, or horse riding, definitely not Jess.

Jess always ate her ordinary lunch alone. On one such afternoon, Mini came up to Jess and spoke “Hi, would you like to be friends?”

Jess just offered a smile and continued eating. Mini talked about herself, her family, her books, her hair and about every thing a 10 year old would probably do in life.
It was in-time and still Mini hadn’t finished talking. Finally Mini said “Jess I love one thing the most of all. You want to know what it is?” Before Jess could answer, Mini said “ I always wanted to run a race since I was 3 years old. Just run like the wind, you know. Oh Jess ! I would love to run the track during this year’s selections for School Championship………………
The rest of the sentence was lost to Jess. Was Mini going to take part in the track event? It was her dream, Jess’s dream. How could somebody else take her dream away?
Mini continued talking animatedly about the race, completely unaware of what Jess was going through. Mini was good at everything from grades to games, was she good at running too? Mini tried hard to be friends with Jess. But Jess on some pretext or the other kept avoiding her.

Though there were many good athletes in the field events, only one best runner was selected from the track event. And Jess was the best runner in this category. Now Jess dreaded that she would not hold that position for long.

Jess found comfort in the fact that Mini had not yet demonstrated her running ability. Jess decided she would not give up her dream for any body, not even for Mini.
Mini was absent from school, for 3 days, then a week. The teacher informed Jess’s class that Mini was down with fever and would not be able to attend school for a few days.
Life went on the same ordinary way for Jess. But something told her that she ought to visit Mini. Well, it’s only a fever, thought Jess and turned the idea down. It was time to prepare for the selections.

Jess was practicing on field when Mini came to visit school. Everyone ran up to Mini to find out how she was doing. As always, Jess ignored Mini and continued her practice. Mini stayed for some time, collected notes and left. Later on Jess came to know that Mini would visit next week, on the day of selections.
Jess wished Mini would stay sick even on the day of the selections. It made her feel miserable that Mini will come in on that day. Jess concentrated on her field practices and tried hard to ignore thoughts of Mini. During the weekend she could bear no more. At the end of school, Jess decided to visit Mini and tell her that she, Jess was the best runner in school and nobody could beat her at that. Mini better understand this, thought Jess.

She walked up to Mini’s house and rang the bell. To her surprise Mini’s grandma opened the door. “Hello, are you Jess?” asked grandma before Jess could speak. “ Mini has gone to the hospital and would come home only tomorrow. Mini talks a lot about you. You are the best runner in school aren’t you? Come on in and have have some cookies”

Grandma showed Mini’s achievements lined up on the shelves. Cups and trophies all won in the name of elocutions, debates and quizzes, but none for a race. Jess asked grandma “Did she race anytime and win?” Grandma brought a tray full of cookies and sat down next to Jess. “No my dear, she has not run in any race at all. She cannot run in any race. She is a very sick child suffering from an incurable disease. She was not very healthy and strong to participate in any sport, but now her dream is to run at least once. She knows she cannot do it but we don’t stop her from dreaming. We have come here to find a cure for Mini.”

Jess wanted to say a thousand things but words never came out.

She quickly said goodbye to grandma and left. No, thought Jess, just because Mini is sick and suffering I cannot let her win my race. Jess had made up her mind.
The weekend went by in the same ordinary way for Jess. Monday was selections day. Jess knew she need not worry. No other runner qualified to Jess’s speed. And Mini was too sick to
run.

On Monday morning all the athletes were lined up in the field. The covered area was filled with enthusiastic parents and supporters, all gathered to see the young achievers who would go on to bring glory to their institution, to their parents, but most of all to themselves.

The field events went on well, with many winners in various field events. The final event was the track event, the most anticipated event of the day. Jess readied her self on her track. She looked around the crowd and saw her mother wave her hand and show a thumbs up sign. Jess waved back. She looked around for one more person, but could not find her. Where is Mini? She was supposed to be here today. She looked around again. There were still a few minutes for the race. Again her eyes searched for Mini. Where could she be?

Some body called her from behind. Jess turned to look. Very close to the tracks was Mini, all pale but smiling, seated on her wheel chair. When Jess looked at her , she enthusiastically waved and showed thumbs up signs with both her hands. Jess smiled and turned away.

Why was she not feeling happy? Mini was not taking part, and the other athletes, though good runners were no match for Jess’s speed. Jess tried hard to concentrate. Today was her day to make her dream come true.

There were totally 7 runners for the track event. The coach blew his whistle to assemble the athletes to their tracks. Jess went up to hers and crouched down to take position. She looked behind one more time at Mini. Mini waved again. Jess turned away.

Instantly Jess knew what to do. She went up to the coach and told him something. The coach firmly shook his head implying a no. Jess pleaded with him. Finally the coach relented. The coach went up to the Principal and told him what Jess wanted. Suddenly, there was silence as the principal came up to the mike to speak. He announced “Jessica has an ankle problem, and would not be running the track. She wants Mini to take her place.” There was shocked silence from the crowd. All eyes were on Mini. The coach went up to Mini and asked her “Would you like to run the race?” Mini did not know what to say. The coach led her to the track.

Mini stood there unsteady, unsure, looking around for Jess, but Jess was nowhere in sight. The athletes readied themselves for the race. Mini crouched down to take position - to run the race of her life.

Then the whistle blew…………………..

Would anybody give up what they love most just to make a friend happy?

As Jess was readying her self for the race, she recalled Mini’s exact words “Jess I love one thing the most of all. You want to know what it is?” I always wanted to run a race since I was 3 yrs old ………………………..

Jess gave up her dream to grant Mini her wish . As there were 7 runners in the track, another runner could not be accommodated until somebody dropped out.

That is exactly what Jess did. She dropped out faking ankle pain.
Mini ran the track that day but never won the race

Was it sympathy or sacrifice, this little child never knew. All she knew was to give Mini what she longed for - at least once.

Mini was hospitalized after that, but she sent Jess a Thank You card for what she had done. In the card was written:

To Jess from Mini:
Thank you Jess for giving me five minutes of YOUR glory………………

How many of us could be like Jessica?