The Feeling of Excellence - Essay Example

The Feeling of Excellence Matilda was a very inquisitive girl for her age of 5 years old. By the age of two, she could talk quite fluently with others. At three, she knew her alphabet and she could read voraciously by 5 years old. She kept on hearing from people that she is an “excellent kid” and that she will have an “excellent future ahead of her.” She asked her mother, a housewife, what excellence means. Before she can even answer, Matilda’s father, Leon, who was a surgeon, intervened and said: “Excellence is what Aristotle describes to be achievable through moral and intellectual excellence.” Matilda frowned and looked to her mother. Natalie said: “You are excellent in my eyes already sweetie. If you want more, then go for more excellence.” And so Matilda looked for more. Matilda’s paternal grandfather, Leonardo, seemed to be the perfect source of knowledge when it came to excellence. At 90 years old, he must know what excellence means. Matilda decided to visit him. She took two sandwiches and a can of orange juice. She wanted to be prepared of their long conversation over the definition of excellence. She took her food and drinks and went to the next door, because that’s where her grandparents lived. Before even knocking, a large, looming figure with grey hair opened the door. Matilda shouted: “Grandpapa! You almost killed me!” Leonardo laughed and carried the child to the living room. He said: “Well, your mother called and told me you’d come.” Matilda shrugged: “You should have pretended you read my mind! That would have been more exciting and mysterious!” She opened her juice and drank some before she said: “Anyway, I have some business with you grandpapa. Do you know what excellence is? Your son does not give a clear meaning for it.” Then she smiled. Leonardo laughed cheerfully: “I must say so. My son must be quite over his head on this one. Well, excellence is about being the best of where you are. Like the best student. That’s excellence.” Matilda asked: “What about the effort? Does that not account for excellence too?” Grandfather answered: “Hmm…You have a point there. Excellence is more of an outcome or result though.” Matilda thanked him and left. She was slowly walking and chewing on her second sandwich. Thinking made her hungry. On her way back to her house, she chanced upon the philosopher who called himself Socrates. Socrates called Matilda: “Why hello there my pumpkin! What seems to be bothering you? You look so creased, you can roll away like crumpled paper!” Matilda laughed at the thought of her rolling along the street. Matilda told Socrates her dilemma. He said that the question was difficult to answer, because every answer yields additional questions. He said: “What is excellence? Who defines it? Who says who can define it? Who believes these definitions? Ah, excellence confounded Aristotle and Socrates too. I am not much of a help. You have to discover what it means in your own, my little Plato.” Matilda creased herself even further. She should be rolling like crumpled paper by now. Matilda decided to sit at the porch. She stared blankly into space. Mr. Smithson walked by. He was the mayor. He saw the bothered look on Matilda and decided to approach her. He said: “Can I sit with you Matilda? Anything I can do for you?” Matilda answered: “Well, you can if you know what excellence is.” The Mayor shared his ideas on excellence: “Excellence is public service. It is about going beyond yourself and helping others.” Matilda looked pensive and replied: “But that does not make me an excellent one then. I can barely help myself in many things. Thanks anyway.” The Mayor smiled and said goodbye. Matilda went in her house and felt deflated. No one gave her a satisfying answer of what excellence is. She sat at the living room and looked at her mom. She just baked some banana cake and pressed fresh orange juice. The smell of cake and juice filled Matilda’s nostrils. Mom also made a strawberry and jelly sandwich. She made the jam all by herself using fresh strawberries. She looked so happy and peaceful. When she called Matilda, she had that sweet smile on her face that only the sight of her daughter can produce. Matilda approached her mother and embraced her. She told her mom: “Why mom, you are excellent for me! And this is what my excellence is about.” She ate her homemade snacks heartily and talked about her adventure to her mother, who never told her what excellence really is about. Then, Matilda painted some houses and rainbows. She put her name on it and gave herself two stars, because she did not feel she earned three. That night, her mom put her to bed and kissed her good night after reading five stories to her. Matilda’s last word before she drifted to sleep was “Excellent.” Reflection Writing a short story is the same as writing an academic essay, because I thought about my thesis or main argument first, and this guided the flow of the story. For my story, my thesis is that being excellent is about having a simple life and developing one’s skills and knowledge. Matilda understands that her mother is an excellent mother because she loves her so much and she does everything with pride and love. She also realizes that excellence is found in a simple life where she can do what she wants and be happy. An academic essay also starts from a thesis and this thesis guides the topic sentences of each paragraph. It is different from a story, because I do not use topic sentences, and instead, the plot flows to support my story’s thesis. Also, academic writing is very formal, while story writing can be informal. Still, they both require a coherent flow of ideas or events to avoid confusing readers. I made sure that I wrote a story that made sense and tried to show what I want to say when I talk about excellence. In the end, my story wants people to feel that excellence is something that anyone can achieve. It is not reserved for people in high social class or status, but depends on people’s happiness and purpose in life. Read More