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Minah looked at her father with concern. He appeared tired. It was hard work
indeed, getting up so early to work in the farm and the returns were often very
bad. The rains last night had wiped out much
of the harvest. Minah's family was very upset to see the fallen fruits and
destroyed vegetables. There was much gloom
in the little wooden house they called home. The whole family had to work on
the farm to get enough vegetables and fruits to sell at the market. Minah went
to the nearby school in the morning and when she returned she would rush through
her homework before she helped her parents. They had no luxuries and there was
very little time to rest or do anything else. At times, Minah and her brothers
had barely enough food to eat.
Perhaps it was seeing her parents working so hard without any complaints or
the sight of her brothers sitting with their books late at night, but whatever
it was Minah was determined to do well in life. Minah's parents loved their
children and encouraged them to work hard at school. Her older brothers managed
to complete their secondary education but Minah had a dream. Every time she
walked past the university in her town, she told herself that she would get a
degree. It was a burning desire that she nursed in her heart.
Minah did well in school and passed the exams with good results. Her teachers
encouraged and advised her to apply for a scholarship. Minah did exactly that.
To her joy, she managed to get a scholarship to study agriculture. It was a
field that was close to her heart and it was no surprise that she did
brilliantly in the university. Minah took a job that paid well and was able to
help her family considerably.
Some years later, Minah started a research centre in a rural area and was
able to employ other people to work for her. Her centre did well and she was
often invited to give talks to people interested in this field. She presented
papers on various aspects of agriculture and was soon recognised as an authority
on the subject. Minah had made it. She was a success. |
