Brave little girl

As a child I was quite reticent. The thought of having even one line in a school play in primary school would have given me many sleepless nights. Still fairly introvert as an adult, I have learned how to stand up and speak to an audience. I've have given the odd talk and lecture in my time, in English and French but I have to admit I am secretly still happier working quietly in my office with my books.

Today I learned that my daughter has not inherited all my personality traits. We were invited to the primary school as she had won a Burns and Scottish poetry competition. I thought that was quite an achievement for someone who only turned five last month. We were ushered into the gym hall where thirty parents, fifteen teachers, ninety p1s, ninety  p2s, ninety  p3s and ninety p5s were assembled. A lone mic stood on the stage. The head teacher welcomed us and then called out her name. Knee-high to a grasshopper, she made her way up the stairs and stood in the spot light and sang five verses on Ally Bally Bee in front of everyone with no musical accompaniment. She then walked over, shook the head's hand and sat back down again. I don't think I managed to get a single photo of her in focus because I was shaking with nerves! She was as cool as a cucumber. When Thomas asked if she'd been afraid, she looked blank and asked 'What of?'

I'm so proud of my wee p1!