Culture

Malachy recognised the feeling that was currently running through his body. He had felt a similar way before last years sports carnival, his first game of football and more recently at the spelling bee.

Unlike the other students in his class, Miss Simpson’s reminder about the upcoming school play didn’t fill the fourth grader full of excitement. Being the youngest in a successful family, Malachy often worried that he would not be good enough. To make matters worse, Malachy had also noticed that the harder he tried, the worse things turned out. However having put so much time and effort into preparing for the school play, Malachy was determined to make it a success.

Throughout the remainder of the day, all Malachy could think about was the play. Although he knew all his lines, the more he thought about it the more he became certain that he wouldn’t be good enough. Sensing something was not right, Malachy’s good friend Amelie asked whether there was anything she could do t...