Joyce sat at her desk, her pencil tapping rhythmically against her notebook as she listened to Mrs. Ng’s gentle voice. The classroom was filled with the usual hum of activity, but Joyce’s mind was elsewhere. She was thinking about her upcoming Toastmasters meeting, her fingers itching to doodle the speech ideas swirling in her head.

“And remember, class,” Mrs. Ng said, her warm smile brightening the room, “next week we’ll be starting our group projects. I’ll be announcing the teams tomorrow, so come prepared with your thinking caps on!”

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Joyce gathered her belongings, her heart light with anticipation. It was Tuesday, which meant another Toastmasters meeting. She had come to cherish these afternoons, filled with laughter, encouragement, and the thrill of finding her voice.

“Joyce,” Mrs. Ng called out as the students filed out of the classroom. “A moment, please?”

Joyce approached her teacher’s desk, curiosity piqued. Mrs. Ng’s eyes twinkled with excitement as she leaned in conspiratorially.

“I have some exciting news for you,” she said, her voice low but brimming with enthusiasm. “The Toastmasters club is organizing an inter-school competition next month. I think you should consider participating.”

Joyce’s eyes widened, a mix of excitement and apprehension flooding her chest. “A competition?” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mrs. Ng nodded encouragingly. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase your growth, Joyce. You’ve come so far in such a short time. I really think you should give it a try.”

As they walked together towards the Toastmasters meeting, Mrs. Ng filled Joyce in on the details. The competition would involve participants from various schools across the district, each delivering a prepared speech on a topic of their choice.

“But… what if I’m not good enough?” Joyce asked, her earlier excitement now tinged with doubt.

Mrs. Ng stopped, placing a gentle hand on Joyce’s shoulder. “Joyce, remember what we’ve talked about. It’s not about being ‘good enough.’ It’s about challenging yourself and growing. You have a unique voice and perspective. This is your chance to share it with a wider audience.”

As they entered the meeting room, Joyce was greeted by the familiar faces of her fellow Toastmasters. Ethan, the club president, was already at the front, his infectious energy filling the space.

“Alright, Gavel Club!” Ethan announced, clapping his hands together. “I have some thrilling news! Our club has been invited to participate in the upcoming inter-school Toastmasters competition!”

A buzz of excitement rippled through the room. Joyce felt a flutter in her stomach, a mixture of nerves and anticipation.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our skills and represent our school,” Ethan continued. “The competition will be held next month, and we’ll be selecting three members to represent our club. If you’re interested in participating, please let me know by the end of next week.”

As the meeting progressed, Joyce found herself distracted, her mind racing with possibilities. She imagined herself standing on a stage, sharing her stories, her doodles projected behind her. The thought both thrilled and terrified her.

During the Table Topics session, Joyce was called upon to give an impromptu speech. As she stood up, she felt a newfound determination. This was her chance to prove to herself that she could do it.

“My favorite place,” Joyce began, her voice soft but steady, “is a little corner in my room where I keep all my art supplies.” As she spoke, she found herself describing the colors, the textures, the way the afternoon light streamed through her window, casting a warm glow on her drawings. To her surprise, the words flowed easily, painting a vivid picture for her audience.

When she finished, the applause was enthusiastic. Mei Ling, one of the older members, gave her a thumbs up. “That was beautiful, Joyce! You’ve really improved!”

As the meeting drew to a close, Joyce approached Ethan, her heart pounding. “I… I think I’d like to try for the competition,” she said, her voice barely audible.

Ethan’s face lit up. “That’s fantastic, Joyce! I think you’d be a great candidate. Your storytelling has really come a long way.”

On the way home, Joyce’s mind was abuzz with ideas. She imagined the speech she could give, the stories she could tell. For once, the thought of math homework and upcoming tests seemed distant, overshadowed by this new, exciting challenge.

However, as she approached her house, reality began to set in. How would she explain this to her mother? Mdm Leong had been tolerant of Joyce’s involvement in Toastmasters so far, but a competition? That was a different matter entirely.

Taking a deep breath, Joyce pushed open the front door. “I’m home,” she called out, her voice wavering slightly.

Mdm Leong emerged from the kitchen, a questioning look on her face. “You’re later than usual, Joyce. Is everything alright?”

Joyce nodded, setting her bag down. “Yes, Mama. I… I have something to tell you.”

Mdm Leong’s eyebrows furrowed. “What is it? Did something happen at school?”

“No, no,” Joyce said quickly. “It’s about Toastmasters. There’s going to be a competition next month, and… and I want to participate.”

The silence that followed seemed to stretch for an eternity. Joyce watched as various emotions flickered across her mother’s face – surprise, confusion, and finally, concern.

“A competition?” Mdm Leong repeated, her voice carefully neutral. “Joyce, you know how important your studies are. The year-end exams are coming up. Do you really think this is the best use of your time?”

Joyce felt a familiar tightness in her chest, the weight of her mother’s expectations pressing down on her. But something was different this time. The excitement of the competition, the encouragement from Mrs. Ng and her Toastmasters friends – it all gave her a courage she didn’t know she possessed.

“Mama,” she said, her voice stronger than she expected, “I know my studies are important. But this is important too. I’ve learned so much from Toastmasters. It’s helping me in school too – I’m better at explaining things in class now, and I’m not as scared to ask questions.”

Mdm Leong’s expression softened slightly, but the concern remained. “I understand that you enjoy it, Joyce. But a competition? That’s a big commitment. What about your math? You know you need to improve your grades.”

Joyce took a deep breath, remembering Mrs. Ng’s words about embracing her unique talents. “I promise I’ll keep working hard on my math, Mama. But… but I think I can do both. Please, can I at least try?”

Mdm Leong was quiet for a moment, studying her daughter’s face. Joyce held her breath, hoping against hope that her mother would understand.

Finally, Mdm Leong sighed. “I need to think about this, Joyce. It’s a big decision. Why don’t you tell me more about the competition over dinner? Then we can discuss it further.”

It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no either. Joyce nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Thank you, Mama. I promise I’ll explain everything.”

As she headed to her room to change, Joyce felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her. The excitement of the competition still buzzed in her veins, but it was tempered by the reality of her mother’s concerns. She knew the conversation at dinner wouldn’t be easy, but for the first time, she felt ready to stand up for something she truly believed in.

Sitting at her desk, Joyce pulled out her notebook and began to doodle. As her pencil moved across the paper, she found herself sketching a small figure standing on a big stage, surrounded by a sea of faces. The figure held a microphone, and above her head, speech bubbles filled with colorful words floated upwards.

Joyce smiled at the drawing. It was a picture of possibility, of a future she was beginning to believe she could achieve. Whatever happened with the competition, she knew one thing for certain – she had found her voice, and she was ready to use it.

As the smell of dinner wafted up from the kitchen, Joyce closed her notebook, took a deep breath, and prepared herself for the conversation ahead. She may not have all the answers, but she had something just as important – the courage to try.