"Mom, I scored second in the whole grade this time!"
A lively and energetic little boy, in second grade, bounced back home, eagerly expecting praise from his mother, who was his only relative.
However, his mother, who was working on the sewing machine, didn't even turn around. She just said lightly, "Isn't there still one person ahead of you?"
"Oh."
The boy grew little by little, and his liveliness gradually turned into sluggishness. The report card that he once held onto was now buried at the bottom of his backpack.
"What did you score?"
"Second..."
"Why are you always second? Just treading water. In this society, people who are second are never remembered. In the future, your job opportunities will always be a little less.
I work hard to support this family so that you can stand out.
Don't be like your useless father, understand? Go read your book now."
"Okay."
Another year passed.
The elementary school admissions exams were approaching.
