The Good Luck Charm

Edwin shook his head and managed a smile. He forced some food down his gullet just to assuage his mum's anxiety. Then he picked his satchel up and left for school.

The previous night, he had drifted into an uneasy slumber as nightmarish visions of failure bombarded him - sheets and sheets of answer papers slashed in red ink. He had woken up in the morning drained and listless. In the examination hall, his mind went spasmodically blank.

This was the leitmotif that had repeated itself from the beginning. Edwin never performed as well as he wanted to; be it be academics, sports or any other activity. The resultant tragedy was that by the ripe old age of 12, he was jaded and demoralized. This wasn't for the dearth of trying either, as Edwin was a hardworking soul.

A few days later, the results were out. Eddie's grades were respectable but were no compensation for the midnight's oil that he had burned. Yes, the chilling red ink-marks slashing his white answer sheets had been a hyperbole. Still…..

As he returned home wearing a dolorous expression, his mother was flummoxed by his behavior, as usual. Her grave, reclusive son was still a mystery to her. 'Why, I didn't do half as well in school, yet used to be such a chirpy thing', she reminisced. 'Not a morose moment in my entire life.' Was this indeed her child? Had there been an exchange at the hospital? Her own quaint theory made her titter merrily. Eddie looked like a little male clone of herself! Chances of such a possibility were cipher!

Her little boy had sauntered off to a near-by beach. For a long time he sat in silence, taking in the gentle rise and fall of the waves. 'Why is this happening to me?' he suddenly demanded of the vast ocean. Tears at the unfairness of it all began to fill his eyes. 'Maybe I was born under the wrong star- a blighted one!' he cursed at the high skies. He worked himself into a frenzied anger.

'GIMME A GOOD LUCK CHARM, ONE THAT'LL CHANGE MY LIFE FOREVER', he challenged the howling wind and kicked the sand savagely. Something lay unconcealed beneath. Forgetting his fury, Edwin peered close. It was a conch- pure white and the prettiest he had seen. He picked it up and put it in his pocket. Once home, he placed it in a corner of the study desk and forgot all about it.

One night as he was about to switch off the bed-side lamp, he noticed the shell; sitting inconspicuous in its corner. On a fleeting impulse, he picked it up. As he held it to his ears; the sea came alive, whispering incantations and benedictions to the world- weary lad. Night was peaceful; replete with images that brought a smile on his snoozing lips.

The next morning, Edwin was flooded with a sense of well-being. His mind was crystal clear as he wrote a test. The usual alarming blackouts spared him. A few days later the fruition of results was in proportion to his toil.  A pattern began to establish itself- Edwin would work hard, then hold the conch close to his ears every night after which he dreamt of success, sweet success. Sure enough, his reveries came true.

Changes became apparent in Edwin's persona- he radiated a deep joy in being alive and his conversation with his peers and parents became simply scintillating. His new-found self-assurance reflected in his upright posture and his characteristic slouch became history.

He began to take a genuine interest in the affairs of the world and his general knowledge and awareness improved. He excelled in an array of activities- he debated, painted, sang, danced and played many a sport with gusto. It was just a matter of time before he became everyone's role model in school. All the students wanted to emulate this beaming, vibrant boy. Needless to say his mum was very happy.

All through these miraculous events, the custom prevailed. Edwin spent sometime with his 'good luck charm' everyday, unfailingly. One night as he absently reached a hand out, he found the conch missing. Edwin merely smiled and reclined on his bed. 'I've had my turn. It's probably someone else's chance now', he reflected, benevolently. His dream run continued as it had when he had possessed the conch.

Meanwhile, the conch had embedded itself once more under layers of sea-sand. It patiently waited to murmur a little bit of positivism and confidence into some other diligent albeit self-defeated child's ear, who fervently wished for a 'Good Luck Charm.'