THE SUMMIT OF SUCCESS

 “Come on…just a little bit more…” Farez’s attention was intently fixed on the television screen. All he cared about at that time was the mountain-climbing expedition which was nearly coming to an end since the expedition group had only a few metres more to reach the peak of the mountain. He watched with full concentration, as if he was the one climbing the mountain at that very moment. “Yes…YES!!!!! We did it! WE ARE THE-huh?” The television screen went blank all of a sudden. “AIZAT!!! Why did you pull the plug out? Can’t you see I was watching-” “Dad? Again?” the presence of Mrs. Laila, his mother, surprised him. She was the one who pulled out the plug. “Farez, how many times must I tell you to go to your room and study? You have ten subjects to study for! This is the umpteenth time you’ve watched that video. Haven’t you had enough?”

Mrs. Laila knew about her son’s passion for mountain-climbing, but to her, his studies were more important. He’s just like his father. She thought to herself, remembering how her husband, a geologist, used to take Farez along with him to his extreme mountain-climbing expeditions for research purposes. When Farez was in primary school, he would just watch from the base of the mountain and help out, but as he grew older, mountain-climbing had become a hobby of his.

Ever since his father left for an expedition without bringing him along, Farez’s craving for mountain-climbing increased but it brought adverse effects towards his studies. His mid-year exam results were unsatisfactory and the SPM exams were only a few months away. Upon remembering this, he took out his Bahasa Melayu revision book which was still in ‘good condition’ and started practicing an exam-based essay question. He realized that he was unable to answer the question and decided to stop before his head bursts. But then, he heard a little voice in his mind. Giving up just like that without putting in any effort won’t get you anywhere. In order to succeed, we must try and try again. If we fail, it doesn’t matter. If we learn from our mistakes, it will turn us into better people. He suddenly remembered that this advice was given to him by his father before he went on his expedition. Life is just like climbing mountains. If you fail, be prepared to fail again but do not be afraid to try again. It’s the effort that counts. If you regret, that means that you have not put in your best. With those words still ringing in hismind, he sat down and continued with his essay. All thoughts of mountain-climbing vanished from his subconscious mind as he was trying his best to concentrate. His father’s advice really motivated him to concentrate on his studies. I’m going to do this. He thought.
           
“What? You are not going to follow me?” Mr. Shah, Farez’s father, was shocked at Farez’s answer. Since he returned from his mountain-climbing expedition, Mr. Shah noticed the change in Farez’s behavior. Farez did not seem at all interested in his father’s upcoming expedition which was to be held during the upcoming school holidays. His father felt a little disappointed at first but later on, he realized that Farez’s sudden change was a positive one. But why the sudden change? Thought Mr. Shah.

Farez’s new attitude began to amaze his teachers and school friends. During recess, he would go to the library and study instead of having lunch at the canteen. Besides that, his grades had improved drastically. To him, studying was his main priority at that point in his life. Even though his friends coaxed him to loosen up a little, he still held on to what he believed to be the best way to be successful in both his studies and his life. Even his brother, Aizat, was shocked because he was able to watch his favourite television programs without interruptions from Farez. Of all the people who were amazed by his change in attitude, Mrs. Laila was the one who felt the most amazed. When he achieved brilliant results in his trial examinations, she was the happiest of them all. His father on the other hand, couldn’t be happier.

On the day of Mr. Shah’s departure, Farez’s emotions suddenly took over him. Even though it was held during the school holidays, his father’s expedition was on the same week as the SPM examinations. Before sending his father off, Farez admitted to his father that he really missed going on expeditions with him. Mr. Shah suddenly remembered the question which had been in his mind for quite some time. “Farez, may I know why your attitude towards your studies have changed?”  Farez smiled and told his father that the advice his father once gave him before he went on an expedition motivated him to study. Upon hearing this, Mr. Shah felt tears cascading down his cheek “Study hard, son.” were Mr. Shah’s last words before he departed.

Farez stood in line with the other students, anxiously waiting for their SPM results. As soon as the results were announced, he heard cries of joy and saw tears of regret. “Farez Shah” his name was called. Nervously, he took his result slip from the teacher and looked at it. “10 A1s!!!!” exclaimed Aizat who looked from behind. Farez was overjoyed and speechless at the same time. Everyone including his teachers and friends congratulated him. “Farez, what motivated you to succeed?” one friend asked him. He looked at his father and answered, “A very wise man once said, ‘Life is just like climbing mountains. If you fail, be prepared to fail again but do not be afraid to try again. It’s the effort that counts. If you regret, that means that you have not put in your best.’” If it had not been for those words of advice, he may not have reached the summit of success.

                                                                                                             (997 words)
                                                                         Written by: Elya Shafinaz Bt. Mohd. Suraji
                                                                                              5 Science Alpha
          

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