“Everybody in the world should receive a standing ovation at least once in their life.” Marv said to his friends Scruff and Max.
“Non-sense! People like you can’t get a standing ovation.”Scruff and Max rebuted him. Marv always felt dejected when his friends teased him.He each time ignores them and walks away thinking “Why do they tease me? I will show them that even I can receive a standing ovation!”
Marv returned home after a long and tiring day at Edward Hollan School. His dog Marko was waiting for him at the house window. Marv threw his school bag on his chair and started playing with Marko. The year was about to end and every year one child was awarded ‘The Edward Yellow Award’. This award is received by the class topper.Marv desperately wanted this award. The child who gets this award is honoured by a standing ovation from everyone. Marv often wondered that if he recieved this award he would get a standing ovation and Scruff and Max will respect him.
Marv didn’t have normal legs like others as he had the disability of growth. His legs were tilted back and were very thick.He walked in a very unusual way.He only had two friends who were James and Nate (they have now left the school).They both made him comfortable in his school. Everyone did not go close to Marv and believed that he is some kind of alien from Mars! So everyone teased him by shouting “Marv-Mars, Marv-Mars.”He used to weep silently but yet tried to be their friends.Some Spanish people called him Tortuga, which means a turtle in Spanish.
Marv was a Christian and he followed the teachings of Jesus Christ.Every day before going to school he used to pray and wish for normal legs.His parents were helping him by making him wear fewer layers of clothes on his legs even in winters to make him look normal, but that didn’t work.
He was home-schooled till 4th grade as his parents were a little nervous to send him to a regular school with a lot of students.So he started formal education from 5th grade.
When he used to walk in the corridors, children used to be at least 1 meter away from him.He really liked the teachers in his school though, one of his favorite teacher was Mrs.Harsia.She used to teach maths and he really liked this subject.Mrs.Harsia used to call him the “Math Wiz”. Marv could solve difficult equations in 30 seconds. Though he was incapacitated,he had a sharp mind to do difficult mathematics calculations and be friends with people who used to tease him.
5th grade’s math’s summative assessment was coming up and he was teamed up with Scruff.
“I am with Marv!”Scruff told Max.(Scruff had developed a liking for Marv since the past few days.)
“Ha, you are with the fat Tortuga!”Max teased Scruff.
“Stop teasing him,” Scruff said, “How would you feel if somebody called you this name?”
Max silently walked away.Scruff feared that Max would not be his friend now
“So, what do you want to create for the summative?”Scruff asked Marv.
“Let’s make a theme park on a grid using area and perimeter!”Marv suggested.
“Nice idea, Marv!” replied Scruff.
“I will read the task”Marv said, “The task is to create a layout of a theme park using area and perimeter.”
Marv and Scruff then began to make a theme park with an area of 36cm square and the perimeter of 67cm square.
“Ah, this looks so awesome Marv!”Scruff said, “You really are a Math Wiz!”They both started liking each other a lot and started becoming good friends, whilst Max was always admired their friendship.
“Hey, Max!”Scruff and Marv greeted him the following day. Max smiled and greeted them in reply.
“Scruff and Marv are you going for the international trip to Russia?”Max asked.
“What trip?” they asked, “When is it?”
“Boy, didn’t you guys read the notice board!”Max said, “5th grade will go to Russia in a week!”
Marv and Scruff were surprised!
“Come on Scruff, let’s read the notice board!”Marv said while running towards the notice board.
“We really are going to Russia!” they both said together.
“It says to speak to Mrs.Harsia for further details,” Scruff told Marv, “Let’s ask her about the trip!” Both Marv and Scruff were very excited to go on the trip.
“Can we ask her tomorrow?Let’s go and tell our parents about the trip!”Marv said.
“Good idea!”Scruff replied.
“Mom and dad!”Marv said,”Our school is organizing an international trip to Russia!”Scruff and Max were searching the house for Marv’s parents when they heard Marko barking.He was trying to show them something outside the window.
“What is it, Marko?”Marv asked.
“Woof, woof, woof” replied Marko.They went outside and saw that Marv’s car was not there.
“Where have they gone, Marko?”Scruff and Marv asked together.
“Roof, woof,” said Marko.
“I don’t understand this dog’s language” Scruff exclaimed immediately.
“I think they have gone to our neighbors who live opposite our house,” Marv said.
They went to Marv’s neighbor’s house and heard some giggles.
“Ha, ha, ha Rita, you are so funny,” said Marv’s dad.
“And then he fell down” Marv’s neighbor; Rita continued.
“Mom and dad, where have you been all this while?”Marv asked his parents. “Oh Marv, we are so sorry!”Marv’s mom said looking at her watch, “We didn’t notice the time!”
Scruff was looking dazzed all that time seeing Marv’s neighbor.
“So, shall we go home?” asked Marv’s dad.
“Yes! I want to tell you something,” replied Marv.
Marv excitedly told his parents about the trip and went back to his room with Scruff.
“Why were you looking so lost in my neighbor’s house?”Marv enquired.
“I think I have seen her somewhere,” replied Scruff.
“You have seen Mrs.Rita somewhere?” asked Marv immediately, “You must have seen her in our school.She used to be our Science teacher!”.
“Ah, I now remember seeing her in our school!” said Scruff excitedly.
“Will you go on the trip?”Marv asked Scruff.
“Obviously Dude!” replied Scruff.
“Did you call me dude?” asked Marv looking surprised.
“Yeah bro,” said Scruff, “We both are best friends, aren’t we?”
Marv starting laughing and soon they both were guffawing.
They both had given the consent form for the trip to Russia.
“So, what all are you carrying to the trip?” enquired Scruff.
“My clothes and my watch” responded Marv, “And you?”
Scruff thought for a while and then said “Same”
Then the day of the trip came and they both were really excited.
“Hi!” greeted Scruff on the day of the trip.
“Haaiii!” Marv greeted back sleepily.
“I hope we sit together on the plane!” Scruff said.
“Ya” answered Marv still rather drowsily. And soon there was an announcement to board the plane and they both sat together.
Their first day they would be traveling and the second day they would be doing different activities.Their third day was mostly watching movies.There were many stalls outside and one of them was cotton candy which they enjoyed eating.
“It’s too boring, ” said Scruff, “Let’s go outside!”
Some children were eating cotton candy and one of them was Max.
“Hey Scruff and Marv!” said Max, “How are you doing?”
Both Marv and Scruff just nodded.
“Aah!” somebody screamed from the woods. Marv ran towards the voice. He saw a girl crying as she had fallen and her knee was bleeding.
“Are you fine?”Marv asked.
“Yes,just cover my knee with a cloth as I need to stop my bleeding.” replied the girl.
Marv took out his handkerchief and covered the girl’s knee.
“What is your name?” Marv asked.
“Kate” the girl responded.
Kate got up and thanked Marv. Everybody was curious so they ran towards them.
“Kate,are you fine?” a girl named Rachel asked.
“Yes” replied Kate.
“Marv,you are a hero!”said Mrs.Harsia.”
“Marv, I am sorry for whatever I said!”Max said.
Marv was very surprised as Max was apologizing.
“It’s ok Max!,” said Marv, “Can we be friends?”
Max really was looking forward to be Marv’s friend.
“Sure!” responded Max.
The trip came to an end and Scruff and Marv got so tired by the activities that they both slept on the way back.
The next two days the school gave them a holiday as the award ceremony was coming soon.
“So, how was it?” asked Marv’s father.
“It was the best trip ever!,” replied Marv enthusiastically, “Now everybody admires me!”
His mom and dad were really contented as Marv was now feeling comfortable in his school.The next two days were spent playing with Marko. “Mom,” said Marv, the night before the award ceremony.
“Yes, Marv” She replied.
“Will you drop me tomorrow morning?” asked Marv.
“Yes I will!” she responded
The next morning Marv was dropped to his school by his mother at 6:30 am. “Good morning Marv!” greeted Max getting out of his car.
“Hello” responded Marv.
They both were wearing coats.
“Ready for the ceremony?”Max asked.
“Ya!” said Marv in reply.
They both walked and saw Mrs.Harsia guiding the 5th graders to the multi-purpose hall.
“Good morning kids!” she said to Max and Marv.
They nodded and went to sit.Scruff was already there before them and was seated in the second row, so Max and Marv sat beside him.
“You’re looking amazing Marv!” complimented Scruff.
“Thanks!,” said Marv looking at the stage, “You too!”
The headmaster; Dr.Frederick gave a very lengthy speech.Mostly he talked about guidelines and principles that students were supposed to follow.
“So now let’s present the awards,” said Dr.Frederick with excitement. “We, at Edward Hollan School,give awards to recognise the excellence of children in our school.”
Everybody started whispering to each other as he said the word ‘Award’. “There are three types of awards; For topper, For athlete and for academic. The one who exceeds all of these types gets the ‘Edward Yellow Award’ This award is awarded by the school director; Mr.Edward Hollan.”
“Who will get the Edward Yellow Award?” asked Marv with elation.
“I hope you!” replied Scruff. “Ah!” said Marv smiling.
“May I invite the principal; Mrs.Tery Hak.” said the anchor.
“Good morning students!”Mrs.Tery said while she coming up on the stage. “Good morning ma’am” everybody sang in reply.
“I would like to present the topper award to,” she paused, “Scruff from 5-D”
Everyone burst out clapping.
“Amazing Scruff,” said Marv.
Scruff smiled and nodded. He walked up the stage to receive the award and thanked the principal.
“The athlete award will be presented to Max from 5-D.”
People started chanting Max’s name. “Max, Max, Max”
He walked up and took the award.He just bowed and smiled at Mrs.Tery. “The academics award goes to Brock from 5-F.”
Only a few people clapped for Brock. He said a very loud ‘Thank You’ to the principal.
“Can Mr.Edward Hollan please come up on stage to present the Edward Yellow Award?” said the anchor.
Mr.Edward came up on stage walking slowly and looking at the children. “Good morning children,” he said with a warm and hearty smile.
Mrs.Harsia handed a golden envelope to him.
“This is the child who will win the Edward Yellow Award this year,” he said raising the envelope high enough for everyone to see.
“The child is” he took a pause longer than Mrs.Tery and then said, “Marv from 5-D!”
Marv was looking a bit confused yet happy.
“Marv, you rock!” said one child sitting in the last row.
“Oh yeah dude!” said Scruff.
“You are the winner Marv,” said Max.
Marv was feeling like he was flying towards the stage. Once he reached the stage, Mr.Edward whispered something in his ear.
He took the award and stood at the center of the stage.Everybody was clapping but suddenly the audience stood up as well and started hooting. Marv was getting a standing ovation!
“You really are a miracle!” Mr.Edward had whispered in Marv’s ear that time.
Marv could not control his excitement and felt like the happiest child in the world that moment. He understood that the appearance of a person does not matter but the knowledge does.
–END–
