Grade – 9

Family Situation – Father and Mother at home. Only Child.

When I waited aside for one by one to come to me, the boys at Don Bosco pushed Merson towards me. He walked forward with reluctant steps, but with a big smile playing on his face. We shook hands and he was immediately at ease. Though his tall, built frame intimidated me, I was pleased with his pleasant demeanor. I was thoroughly impressed by Merson’s motto in life, which is to ‘Have Fun’, come what may. He told me that he never gets bogged down by the troubles in life and has learnt to look at the brighter side of life. Merson believed in living life to the fullest and greeting difficulties with a smile. A smile just like the one he is giving me now, I thought to myself.

Merson doesn’t have a particularly traumatic past to talk about. He said quite proudly that he was never keen on studies and had bunked classes, while he should be studying. “I was more involved with plucking mangoes”, confesses Merson with a sheepish smile. “But now I have begun to take life more seriously. I want to get into the Navy”, Merson. He was inspired by his Boxing Master who is a Naval Officer. When we sat there discussing about the other loves in his life, he mentioned about his girlfriends. “I’m serious with one, just flirting around with the rest”, he said with a wink. Men! Sigh! Sorry I couldn’t help being a feminist here. Anyways, I move on after promising that I wouldn’t let out his ‘secret’ to the Father.