A FAREWELL FUNCTION

     In our school, it is the custom for students of Standard IX to organise a farewell function for the students of Standard X. Being in Standard IX this year, I was one of the main organisers.

     The function was to start at 3 pm on Saturday, 9th of February.

The hall was beautifully decorated with buntings and mango leaves. By 3 pm, the hall was filled with guests, teachers, and students.

     Some of the teachers addressed the SSC students. Each of them gave the students valuable advice and guidance for their future life. All the students  listened with great respect and attention. The speeches also had a tinge of sadness.  Everyone knew that very soon, the students of SSC would not be with us. The Principal spoke amidist pindrop silence. We were all ears. His speech was simple but impressive. Many could be seen wiping their eyes after he spoke.

     In the end, I rose to speak on behalf of the students of Standard IX and the rest of the school. My eyes were full of tears, for it was not easy to part from people we had known for a long time. Somehow, I managed to complete my speech. I asked the students of Standard X always to remember us and forgive us if we had hurt or displeased them unknowingly. Finally, there were refreshments. We served everyone cold drinks, snacks, and coffee. Then, the students of Standard X sought the blessings of their teachers.

     For us the students of Standard IX, it was a very emotional experience and I still remember that day. All of us wondered what it would be like when our turn came. It was a day of sadness but we also had the feeling that our friends in Standard X were going to a glorious future and in our hearts, we wished them all a happy and bright future.