Article June 22, 1957 Issue

ALWAYS READY FOR OPPORTUNITY

[Of Special Interest to Young People]

EVELYN P. JENSEN

What happens when an opportunity seems to come too soon? This problem faced Jim, a teen-ager, who was a student in a Christian Science Sunday School. He belonged to a community organization which he enjoyed very much. Quite unexpectedly he was asked to be one of two boys who would represent the club in a series of public speaking contests.

This was something Jim wanted very much to do. But he felt that he was not ready. The other boy was three years older, had done a great deal of public speaking, and was even planning to make it his career. In an effort to be fair to both the club and his partner, Jim decided not to accept the opportunity. However, no one else was eligible. So, rather reluctantly, Jim began to prepare for the first contest.

Winning the first contest was comparatively easy because the competition was not strong. The second contest—on a county level —was quite different. Both Jim and his partner were involved in a number of activities connected with their club and were struggling against a sense of fatigue and lack of time. Jim did poorly. In fact, it was only the quick wit of his partner during the question and answer period that enabled them to win.

Send a comment to the editors