The first week of April brought a wave of excitement to Siti's school. Posters were pinned to classroom walls, and teachers reminded everyone about the upcoming Annual School English Speaking Competition. Every year, students from each class would deliver short speeches on stage — a chance to show confidence, creativity, and courage.
When Miss Faridah announced that she was looking for two representatives from their class, everyone began whispering eagerly. Siti stayed quiet at first, listening from her desk while her classmates threw around names.
"Asmawati should go!" someone said.
"No, I think Amirah! She's good at talking in front of people."
Then Miss Faridah looked up from her list and said with a warm smile, "I also want to nominate Siti."
The classroom went silent for a second. Siti's eyes widened. "Me, teacher?" she asked softly.
"Yes, you," Miss Faridah said kindly. "You have a natural way with words. I read your essay last month, remember? You write with feeling — that's the most important part of a good speech."
Siti felt her heart skip. She had never spoken in front of a crowd before, not even during morning assembly.
"I… I don't know if I can," she whispered.
"You can," Miss Faridah said. "You just need to believe that your voice matters."
After class, Asmawati rushed to her. "Siti! That's amazing! You'll be great, I know it."
Siti smiled nervously. "I'm scared. What if I forget my words?"
"Then I'll sit in the front row and remind you with my face," Asmawati laughed. "Don't worry — you've got this."
---
That night, back at the orphanage, Siti told Kak Safura about the competition.
Safura clapped her hands happily. "That's wonderful, Siti! I'm so proud of you."
"But I'm nervous," Siti admitted. "What if everyone laughs if I say something wrong?"
Safura knelt beside her. "No one will laugh. You've worked so hard. Just speak from your heart, like you always do."
She smiled and added, "Do you want me to help you practice your speech?"
Siti nodded eagerly. "Yes, please!"
Together they spent the next few nights preparing. Siti wrote her speech about kindness and how small acts can change lives, inspired by her time at the orphanage. She practiced every line in front of the mirror, adjusting her tone, her hand movements, and her smile.
Whenever she stumbled, Safura would encourage her gently.
"It's okay. Take a breath, start again," she would say.
By the end of the week, Siti knew her speech by heart — every word glowing with meaning.
---
The day of the competition arrived. The school hall buzzed with noise as students gathered in neat rows. Parents, teachers, and a few guests filled the audience seats. Banners hung across the stage that read 'English is the Key to the Future!'
Siti stood backstage with trembling hands. She wore her neatly ironed school uniform and a small blue ribbon in her hair. Asmawati squeezed her shoulder.
"You're going to do amazing," she whispered.
When Siti's name was called, her heart pounded so hard she thought the microphone might pick it up. She walked slowly to the center of the stage, her knees feeling like jelly.
The hall went quiet. Bright lights shone down on her face. For a second, her mind went blank — completely empty.
Then, somewhere in the audience, she saw Kak Safura and Abang Safuan, who had come to support her. Safura gave her a small nod and mouthed, You can do it.
Siti took a deep breath. And then she began.
---
"Good morning, teachers and friends," she said, her voice a little shaky at first. "My name is Siti, and today I want to talk about kindness."
As she spoke, something inside her began to change. The fear slowly melted away, replaced by warmth. She remembered the laughter of the children at the orphanage, the encouragement from Safura, and the way her friends believed in her.
"When we are kind," she continued, "we make the world brighter, even if we don't realize it. A smile, a helping hand, or a few kind words can make someone's day better. I learned that kindness can come from anyone — even those who have little to give."
Her voice grew stronger with each line. The audience listened in silence. She didn't stumble once.
At the end of her speech, she finished softly, "Kindness taught me that even when life is hard, love can grow anywhere — even in the smallest hearts."
For a second, there was complete silence. Then the crowd erupted into applause.
Siti blinked, stunned. Her heart swelled as she bowed slightly, cheeks glowing with pride. She had done it — she had spoken with her heart.
---
After the event, Miss Faridah met her backstage with a proud smile. "You were wonderful, Siti. Truly wonderful."
Siti could hardly speak. "Thank you, teacher," she whispered.
When the results were announced later, Siti didn't win first place — but she earned second prize, along with a shiny certificate and a small trophy.
To her, it felt like winning the whole world.
Asmawati hugged her tightly. "See! I told you you'd be great!"
That evening, when she returned to the orphanage, the children ran up to her.
"Kak Siti! Kak Siti! We saw your video! Kak Safura showed us!"
They clapped and cheered, surrounding her with laughter. Siti held up her little trophy and grinned. "This is for all of us," she said proudly.
---
Later that night, as she sat by her window, Siti placed the trophy on her desk beside her schoolbooks. The silver caught the soft moonlight.
She smiled, remembering the way the crowd had clapped for her, the way her voice had carried across the hall.
A few months ago, she would never have imagined standing on a stage. Back then, she had been quiet, unsure, and afraid to speak.
Now, she realized something — her voice mattered. Not because it was perfect, but because it was hers.
As she looked out at the stars, Siti whispered softly, "I'll keep going. I'll keep getting better."
And in her heart, she knew that this was only the beginning.