Never Give Up!

The little girl stood afar from the group, clutching her certificate, desolation writ on her face. She was withholding the tears that threatened to breach the dam behind her eyes. Then her father was in front of her and he lifted her and hugged her tightly. The little girl all of eight, heaved a sigh of relief and wrapped her hands around her daddy.

"Congratulations  my angel, you did it!"

"No, I didn't!" The girl whispered in his ears.

The man put her down and looked at her into her eyes. It twinkled with the unshod tears. "Now, now ...  you are being hard on yourself."

 The girl was silent looking at the winner who was grinning and smiling. Victory was nice.

"What did I tell you about Success?"  Daddy asked her.

"It is a road not a destination."

"That is brilliant. What is the opposite of Success?"

"Fail...  No wait... giving up!"

"You are a smart girl.../what is the opposite of that... "

"Not giving up." The little girl said her voice all small.

"So what is success...?"

"Not giving up!"

"There you go...  you deserve kudos for your exhibit. And there are many more to go... You will win if you don't give up."

"No daddy. I will not give up. Ever." A tear slid down her eyes and she brushed it away with gruffness.  

The man held her hand and walked slowly out of the hall.