I Am the Best

In a small, peaceful village, there lived a child named Dara. Since she was little, Dara always heard that she was not the best. “The neighbor’s child is smarter,” someone said. “Look at the children in the city, they are better,” another said. However, Dara only smiled every time she heard that. For her, being “the best” was a journey that she had to create herself.

Every morning, Dara woke up early to help her mother prepare breakfast. Although simple, she always tried to make everything look special, such as arranging the plates with love. After that, she went to school while carrying books that she often borrowed from the village’s small library.

Dara was not the smartest student, but she was the most diligent. When her friends gave up on difficult questions, Dara kept trying until she finally understood. When she failed in a running race, she woke up early the next day to practice on the grassy field.

One day, the village held an annual competition. All children in the village were invited to take part in various competitions: from quizzes, drawing, to sports. Dara felt nervous but still signed up. She knew that this opportunity was a way to prove something, not to others, but to herself.

In the first round of the quiz competition, Dara almost lost. But she kept her cool and answered the last question with full confidence. In the drawing competition, her work might not be as beautiful as the others, but it had a deep story. When it was her turn to run, Dara ran as hard as she could, even though she was getting short of breath nearing the finish line.

When the night of the announcement arrived, Dara did not win all the competitions. However, she received one special award that no one else had: "Most Persistent Child." Everyone cheered, and her mother cried with joy.

Dara finally realized that being "the best" did not always mean winning in the eyes of others. What mattered was how she had tried her best and never gave up. From that night on, Dara decided one thing: she would continue to be the "best me" version of herself, no matter what the world said.

And in her heart, that was more than enough.