Riya was not a loud girl. She did not raise her hand in class, and she did not speak much in front of others. Most people thought she had nothing to say, but that was not true. Inside her mind, there were many thoughts, questions, and dreams waiting for a chance to come out.
Every day, Riya sat on the last bench of her classroom. She listened carefully to her teachers and watched her classmates talk confidently. Sometimes she wished she could be like them. She wanted to speak without fear, to share her ideas without feeling nervous. But fear always stopped her.
One afternoon, after school, Riya went to the library. It was a quiet place where she felt safe. While walking between the shelves, she found an old notebook lying on a table. It had no name on it. Curious, she opened it. The pages were filled with simple writings—short thoughts, small stories, and honest feelings. The words were not perfect, but they were real.
That notebook made Riya think. She realized that someone else had written those pages without worrying about mistakes. That person had written from the heart. For the first time, Riya felt inspired. She took out her own notebook and wrote her first sentence: “I am afraid, but I want to try.”
From that day, Riya started writing every evening. She wrote about her school, her dreams, her fears, and her hopes. Some days she wrote only a few lines. Some days she filled a whole page. Writing became her quiet courage. It helped her understand herself better.
Weeks passed, and one day her teacher announced a writing competition. The topic was “My Voice.” Riya’s heart beat fast. She wanted to participate, but fear returned. What if people laughed? What if her writing was not good enough?
That night, Riya opened her notebook and read her old writings. She saw her growth. She saw her honesty. She understood something important—her voice mattered, even if it was quiet. The next day, she submitted her story.
When the results were announced, Riya did not win first prize. But her teacher read her story in front of the class and said it was honest and touching. For Riya, that moment was enough. She smiled, not because she was praised, but because she had finally spoken in her own way.
Riya learned that courage does not always shout. Sometimes, courage is quiet. Sometimes, it is just one small step forward. And that small step can change everything.
Moral :- The moral of the story is that true courage does not always appear loud or confident. Many people believe that only those who speak boldly are strong, but real strength often grows quietly inside. Everyone has a voice, even if it is soft or hidden by fear. Making mistakes and feeling afraid are natural parts of learning and self-growth. What truly matters is the willingness to try despite fear. When a person believes in themselves and takes small steps forward, they begin to discover their true potential. Confidence grows with practice, honesty, and patience, not perfection.
