It may often seem t you that life is one long race! Your parents and teachers tell you every day that you must work very hard, because there is so much competition.

Sometimes you may tempted to make a short cut-to do something dishonest or dishonorable such a copying or cheating. The fear of failure or the desire for success may tempt you to make the road of dishonor. Fear urges you, Come on! Act quickly before someone sees you.’ desire says, `No one will know and you will be happy’. If you decided to go down that path no one may know. But will know! You will respect yourself less.

Sweat a student of class X, had been ill and had missed school for a few. She was a good student and very sincere about her studies. So when she did get back to school, she decided to stay back after for a few days in order to catch up with her notes and lessons. One evening as Sweta got up to leave, she noticed a sheet of paper on the floor next to the teacher’s desk. As she picked it up to place it on the desk she suddenly noticed the title on the paper `Zoology test, class X. with a sock Sweta realized that what she held was the following week’s test paper meant for her class! Moments of struggle followed. She thought of the long weary hours she could save is she copied the paper and prepared for the test at home. There was turmoil in her mind. The voice of temptation told her that no one would know, but her mind cautioned her that it would be wrong, and that she would feel miserable. Sweta made up her mind. She placed the paper on the table and left the room as fast as she could.

In the days that followed, Sweta found that it was easy to study, because she was proud of having resisted temptation. She had no regret, no remorse and no guilt. She studied like she had never studied before and stood first in the zoology test. Sweta competed fairly and won honorably.

Time think

Yes, indeed, there is temptation at every turn but there are lessons we can draw from our own traditions and history.

In ancient India, warriors followed the rule of fair play even on the battled filed. Even when their lives were at stake, and the future of kingdoms hung in the balance, they fought honorably. The epic Mahabharata describe how, before the battle began, warriors on their side met and set down the rules for both armies to follow. A fight could take place only between equals-either between two men mounted on elephants or in chariots, or between two archers. If, during the fight, one withdrew, he was not to be pursued. If the fight began with words, the opponent was to reply with words and not arrows. No one who ran in fear from the battlefield was to be killed. There were many such rules and all of them were strictly followed by both armies.

In the Ramayana, there is a description of a one-to-one combat between Sri Ram and Ravana. During that ferocious fight, Ravana’s chariot collapses. Sri Ram immediately puts away his weapons and tells Ravana, `Go back and return fresh to the battlefield tomorrow. We will fight again tomorrow!

These stories and traditions of honor in life –or- death competition can guide us even in these modern times. When a competitive situation comes along, first ask you this question-what will happen if I don’t win?’ expect in a few cases, such as fighting disease or fire, the opposite of `victory’ is not `defeat’. If you do not win prizes in a sports or speech competition, you are not a `loser’ because you have actually lost nothing! On the contrary, you have gained experience, knowledge and confidence. It is only the prize that you have not won. So never say `I spent so many hours preparing and practicing and I have nothing to show for it’. By competing fairly, you are investing in your future.

Next, ask yourself the question- `what do I need to do attain my goal honestly?’ is it a subject that requires extra study? It is a skill that requires more practice? Do you need information or advice? Think about it and discuss what you should do with your parents and teachers.

We also need to realize that gains are not always measurable. Imagine a mother who feeds and bathes and looks after her child every day. Suppose she was to think at the end of the day, `I fed and played with this child the whole day, and there is nothing to show for it’. Wouldn’t that be unfair? In the same way it is unfair to expect an award every time you investment in the growth of your mind, your spirit and your character.