Everyone knew Aarav as the boy who always came second. In races, exams, even debates, his name hovered just below the top. “Good effort,” people said, which slowly began to sound like a limit.
One afternoon, Aarav found an old notebook where he had once written, I want to be my best, not the best. The words felt quiet but powerful. From that day, he changed one thing. He stopped watching others and started improving himself, one step at a time.
He woke up earlier, practiced harder, and learned from mistakes instead of hiding from them. On sports day, Aarav stood at the starting line with calm confidence. The race began. His legs burned, his breath shortened, but he kept running.
When the results were announced, Aarav wasn’t shocked. He had finished first. But what mattered more was the smile he wore.
Because the real victory was believing in himself.
