Once there was a boy named Ethan who migrated into the small city of An Arbor, Michigan along with his family. He was an introvert, yet resilient and full of curiosity and ambitiously dreaming of getting a driver’s license. On his 21st birthday, his parents enrolled him in a driving course for the next few months, along with his brother. Upon hearing the news from his parents, he was overjoyed and excited to start learning how to drive. After sometime, he and his brother attended their lessons diligently and hardly studied each lesson every three times a week. Their instructor teaches them the rules of the road, like traffic rules, parking rules and the importance of responsibility in driving.
Then, the day for his brother came to do the test drive, luckily he passed the driving test and got his driver’s license. As soon of the day for Ethan to finally hit the road, he felt the pressure and nervously drove to the department of motor vehicles hoping to pass the test and receive his driver’s license. However, it didn’t go to what he was hoping for, instead his dreams soon shattered as he failed the driving test. He became very disappointed and sad knowing what just happened, but he vowed to try again. Time and time he drove into the department of motor vehicles for the test-driving, yet only to face failure after failure.
Ethan had always been a resilient young man, but after all the failures he had been through it affected his confidence. He doubted and questioned his abilities, and even compared himself to his brother who obtained his driver’s license effortlessly, which made him felt of being left behind. One day, as he sat in his bedroom weighing things whether to give up or to give one more shot. Upon a scrolling his phone, he accidentally read an old quote “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” This quotation made Ethan renew his determination and resiliency to take one more try despite the failures he got. So, Ethan enrolled again in the driving course for the fourth time, bringing the determination and encouragement from the quotation he had read. He underwent with the different lessons and several advises from his instructor regarding on effective driving.
Finally, after countless attempts, the day for Ethan to hit the road again has come. Bringing the skills and the lessons he had learned from his experiences and what he learned from his instructor. As he smoothly maneuvered through the streets during the test, he felt the waves of confidence again. The examiner noted his driving skills and in-depth understanding of the rules of the road. As they finished the test, the examiner happily extended his hand to Ethan, congratulating him for passing the test-driving exam. Then, he received his long-awaited driver’s license. He held his newly driver’s license with the feeling of accomplishment and realization hit him. He realized after all the setbacks and failures he had undergone, it made him stronger as an individual and as a driver. Furthermore, he learned that achievement or success is not all about winning. It’s not about how many times you fall, but rather how many times you rise and try again. All you have to do is to believe in God, value your determination, perseverance and believe in yourself.


© ley.21