THE BLUE RIBBON CONCLUDED The whistle blew and they all set off. Ali saw the contestants on his right tumble and fall in a comical heap. People applauded and cheered them. The contestants to his left were also having a difficult time synchronizing their hops. Filled with a sudden feeling of exhilaration, Ali grasped Zaheer's shoulders even more firmly and they propelled each other forward. Faster and faster, they hopped till the blue ribbon loomed ahead. Ali stretched his hand forward and to his delight, they were the first one to cross the line. The whole school stood up to applause his remarkable feat. Ali and Zaheer embraced each other as their team-mates surrounded them, slapping their backs and hugging them. Ali Noor saw his father on his feet clapping hard, unashamed tears of joy rolling down his cheeks. His mother too looked at him with pride and love. "Thanks Zaheer," Ali wanted to say more but words eluded him. "No sweat, champ. Maybe you should train for the sprint race now," Zaheer joked. Ali grinned and took his crutches from the assistant coach. He had learnt to laugh at his disability and not wallow in self-pity. After all, isn't life all about overcoming the disadvantages and surmounting the setbacks? What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything the end