Joyce sat at her desk, her pencil tapping rhythmically against her notebook as she tried to focus on Mrs. Ng’s lesson. Her mind, however, kept drifting back to the public speaking activity from the previous day. The memory of standing up and describing her favorite place—a hidden nook in the nearby park where she loved to draw—brought a small smile to her face.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Joyce began to pack her things. She noticed Mrs. Ng approaching her desk with a warm smile.

“Joyce, do you have a moment?” Mrs. Ng asked gently.

Joyce nodded, her curiosity piqued. “Yes, Mrs. Ng?”

“I wanted to talk to you about something exciting,” Mrs. Ng said, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. “Remember how much you enjoyed the speaking activity yesterday?”

Joyce’s face lit up. “Yes, I really liked it!”

Mrs. Ng leaned in, her voice filled with encouragement. “Well, I think I might have found something perfect for you. Have you ever heard of Toastmasters?”

Joyce shook her head, her brow furrowing slightly. “No, what’s that?”

“Toastmasters is a club where people practice public speaking and leadership skills,” Mrs. Ng explained. “And there’s a special program for children your age called Gavel Club. I think you’d really enjoy it.”

Joyce’s eyes widened with interest, but then she hesitated. “But… what about my studies? Mama wants me to focus on improving my grades.”

Mrs. Ng nodded understandingly. “I know academics are important, Joyce. But developing other skills can actually help you in your studies too. Speaking clearly and confidently can make a big difference in how you approach all your subjects.”

Joyce considered this, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” Mrs. Ng affirmed. “Plus, it’s a great way to make new friends and build your self-confidence. I think it could be really good for you.”

Joyce felt a flutter of excitement in her chest, but it was quickly tempered by doubt. “I don’t know if I’d be any good at it,” she said softly.

Mrs. Ng placed a gentle hand on Joyce’s shoulder. “Joyce, remember how well you did yesterday? You have a natural talent for storytelling. This club would help you develop that talent even more.”

Joyce’s mind raced with possibilities. She imagined herself standing confidently in front of an audience, sharing her stories and ideas. It was both thrilling and terrifying.

“When… when does the club meet?” Joyce asked hesitantly.

Mrs. Ng smiled, pleased by Joyce’s interest. “They meet every Saturday morning at the community center. I can give you more information if you’d like.”

Joyce nodded eagerly, then paused. “But what about Mama? She might not want me to go.”

Mrs. Ng’s expression softened. “Why don’t we talk to her together? I can explain how this can benefit your overall education. Sometimes, parents need to hear these things from a teacher.”

Joyce felt a glimmer of hope. “You’d do that for me?”

“Of course, Joyce. I believe in you, and I want to help you explore your talents,” Mrs. Ng said warmly.

As Joyce left the classroom, her mind was abuzz with thoughts of Toastmasters. She felt a mix of excitement and nervousness at the prospect of joining. Walking home, she rehearsed how she might broach the subject with her mother.

When Joyce arrived home, she found Mdm Leong in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Taking a deep breath, Joyce approached her mother.

“Mama,” she began tentatively, “I have something to tell you.”

Mdm Leong turned, her eyebrows raised. “Yes, Joyce? What is it?”

Joyce took another deep breath. “Mrs. Ng told me about a club called Toastmasters. It’s for learning public speaking. She thinks I should join.”

Mdm Leong’s brow furrowed. “Public speaking? Joyce, you need to focus on your studies, especially math. You don’t have time for extracurricular activities right now.”

Joyce felt her heart sink, but she pressed on, remembering Mrs. Ng’s encouragement. “But Mama, Mrs. Ng says it can help with my studies too. It can make me more confident in all my subjects.”

Mdm Leong sighed, turning back to the stove. “I don’t see how talking in front of people will help you solve math problems, Joyce.”

“Mrs. Ng said she’d like to talk to you about it,” Joyce added quickly. “She thinks it’s really important for me.”

This caught Mdm Leong’s attention. She turned back to Joyce, her expression softening slightly. “Mrs. Ng wants to discuss this with me?”

Joyce nodded eagerly. “Yes, she said she could explain how it would help my education.”

Mdm Leong was quiet for a moment, considering. “Alright,” she said finally. “I’ll speak with Mrs. Ng. But I’m not making any promises, Joyce. Your studies come first.”

Joyce felt a surge of hope. “Thank you, Mama,” she said, giving her mother a quick hug before heading to her room.

As she sat at her desk, Joyce couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. She pulled out her notebook and began to doodle, her mind filled with images of herself speaking in front of an audience. She drew herself standing tall, words flowing from her mouth like colorful ribbons, wrapping around smiling faces in the crowd.

The next day at school, Joyce approached Mrs. Ng during recess. “Mrs. Ng,” she said, her voice tinged with nervous excitement, “I told my mother about Toastmasters. She said she’d like to speak with you about it.”

Mrs. Ng’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful, Joyce! I’ll give her a call this afternoon to set up a meeting.”

True to her word, Mrs. Ng arranged a meeting with Mdm Leong for the following day after school. As Joyce sat in the classroom, waiting for her mother to arrive, she felt her stomach churn with anticipation.

When Mdm Leong entered the room, her face was a mask of polite skepticism. Mrs. Ng greeted her warmly, inviting her to sit.

“Thank you for coming, Mdm Leong,” Mrs. Ng began. “I wanted to discuss an opportunity I believe would greatly benefit Joyce.”

Mdm Leong nodded, her posture stiff. “Yes, Joyce mentioned something about a public speaking club. But I’m concerned about how this will affect her studies.”

Mrs. Ng smiled reassuringly. “I completely understand your concern, Mdm Leong. Academic success is crucial. However, I believe that joining Toastmasters could actually enhance Joyce’s overall performance in school.”

Mdm Leong’s eyebrows raised slightly. “How so?”

“Well,” Mrs. Ng continued, “public speaking helps develop critical thinking skills, improves vocabulary, and boosts confidence. These skills are transferable to all subjects, including math.”

Joyce listened intently, her heart racing as she watched her mother’s expression.

Mrs. Ng went on, “Moreover, I’ve noticed that Joyce has a natural talent for storytelling and creative expression. Toastmasters would provide a platform for her to develop these skills further.”

Mdm Leong’s expression softened slightly. “I see. But what about the time commitment? Joyce needs to focus on her studies, especially math.”

“The Gavel Club, which is the Toastmasters program for children, meets only once a week on Saturday mornings,” Mrs. Ng explained. “It won’t interfere with her regular study schedule. In fact, it might even motivate her to manage her time more effectively.”

Joyce held her breath, watching her mother carefully. Mdm Leong was quiet for a moment, considering Mrs. Ng’s words.

“I understand your hesitation,” Mrs. Ng added gently. “But I truly believe this could be transformative for Joyce. It’s not just about public speaking—it’s about building confidence, developing leadership skills, and discovering her own voice.”

Mdm Leong turned to Joyce, who had been silent throughout the conversation. “Joyce, is this something you really want to do?”

Joyce nodded emphatically. “Yes, Mama. I… I think it could help me a lot. And I promise I’ll still work hard on my studies.”

Mdm Leong sighed, then turned back to Mrs. Ng. “Alright. We can give it a try. But if I see her grades slipping, we’ll have to reconsider.”

Joyce’s face broke into a wide smile. “Thank you, Mama!” she exclaimed, resisting the urge to jump out of her chair.

Mrs. Ng beamed at both of them. “Wonderful! I’ll get you the information about the next meeting, Joyce. And Mdm Leong, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any more questions or concerns.”

As they left the classroom, Joyce felt a newfound sense of excitement and purpose. She looked up at her mother, who still seemed a bit uncertain.

“Mama,” Joyce said softly, “I promise I’ll do my best in both Toastmasters and my studies.”

Mdm Leong’s expression softened as she looked down at her daughter. “I know you will, Joyce. I just want what’s best for you.”

Joyce nodded, feeling a warmth in her chest. As they walked home, she couldn’t help but imagine what her first Toastmasters meeting would be like. She pictured herself making new friends, learning to speak confidently, and maybe even incorporating her doodles into her speeches.

That night, as Joyce lay in bed, her mind buzzed with possibilities. She felt nervous about the new challenge ahead, but also thrilled at the opportunity to explore this hidden talent Mrs. Ng had seen in her. For the first time in a long while, Joyce fell asleep with a smile on her face, dreaming of words that danced and stories that came to life.

The next few days passed in a blur of anticipation. Joyce found herself paying extra attention in class, determined to show her mother that Toastmasters wouldn’t interfere with her studies. She even spent additional time on her math homework, wanting to prove that she could balance both her academic responsibilities and her new interest.

As Saturday approached, Joyce’s excitement grew. She carefully selected her outfit for the meeting, choosing a cheerful yellow dress that made her feel confident. The night before, she couldn’t sleep, her mind racing with thoughts of what the next day might bring.

When Saturday morning finally arrived, Joyce woke up early, her stomach fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves. As she ate breakfast, Mdm Leong watched her with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this, Joyce?” her mother asked.

Joyce nodded, swallowing a mouthful of cereal. “Yes, Mama. I’m nervous, but I really want to try.”

Mdm Leong’s expression softened. “Alright then. Let’s get you to the community center.”

As they drove to the Toastmasters meeting, Joyce clutched her notebook, filled with doodles and ideas for potential speeches. She took deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.

Arriving at the community center, Joyce saw a group of children around her age gathering in one of the rooms. Mrs. Ng was there, greeting parents and children with a warm smile. When she spotted Joyce and Mdm Leong, she waved them over.

“Joyce, I’m so glad you could make it!” Mrs. Ng exclaimed. “And thank you for bringing her, Mdm Leong. I promise you won’t regret it.”

As Joyce prepared to enter the room, she turned to her mother. “Wish me luck, Mama,” she said softly.

Mdm Leong surprised her by pulling her into a quick hug. “Good luck, Joyce. Remember, just be yourself.”

With one last deep breath, Joyce stepped into the room, ready to embark on this new adventure. As the door closed behind her, she felt a sense of possibility wash over her. This, she thought, could be the beginning of something wonderful.