Ayesha was a 14-year-old girl studying in ninth grade. She was excellent in her studies, but lacked confidence. So because of this, she didn’t have many friends and never participated in any school activities.

One day, their class teacher announced the upcoming Independence Day celebration. Everyone got excited, as celebrating the 14th of August was a proud moment for every Pakistani. It meant remembering the day Pakistan came into being — a separate land where Muslims could freely practice their religion and people of other faiths could also live in harmony.

The teacher discussed various activities, including a speech competition. Most students weren’t interested, as many feared speaking in front of others. As the teacher began noting down names, a hand unexpectedly went up. It was Ayesha’s. The same girl who had never spoken in class now wanted to speak in front of the whole........

© Dawn Young Magazine