EVERY BOY AND GIRL.

Every young person deserves their turn.

This week I was reminded of a true story about a little boy who went to school.

Over the years in school, the little boy watched and listened to the same boys from his class read and make speeches.

Whenever children from the little boy's class represented their school at social events, the same boys were asked to read, and make speeches.

The little boy was never asked.

Year after year, the same boys read and made speeches while the little boy sat, watched and listened.

The little boy thought there must be a very special reason for this happening and that these boys must be very special boys.

The little boy always listened, watched and wondered what it would be like if he was allowed to speak in front of an audience, his peers, his teachers, his parents, other parents, his principal, the priest, and the important people who come to visit his school.

Then one morning in his final year before the little boy (who was now a middle size boy, but we will keep calling him a little boy for the sake of the story) was due to leave his school and go to his new school, something happened.

The little boy had a stroke of serendipity.

The little boy and his classmates were getting ready to walk to their local chapel to do a practice run for their Confirmation Day.

The teacher made the discovery (it was the first class of the morning) that one of the readers was off school sick and in a rush the teacher asked the class would anyone be willing to stand in and do the reading.

The little boy saw his chance and after a few minutes of silence because naturally no one was willing to step in on the eleventh hour (anyone not doing a reading had no practice over the years) however, the little boy took his chance and with all his courage put up his hand and said, "I will read the piece". "Great" said the teacher, "thank you."

The mother of the little boy had popped into the chapel to be a part of the mass that was also taking place that day and was pleasantly surprised when the readers were asked to step forward and her little boy stepped out from his seat and walked towards the alter with the other boys.

When it come to the turn of the little boy to read, he read beautifully and a silence descended when for the first time since the little boy started school he was allowed to stand up and read in front of his peers, his teachers, his parent, other parents, the priest and some of our elders who had popped in to the chapel to light a candle.

The little boy returned to his seat happy, relaxed and content.

He did it, after all those years of waiting, he did it, and his mum could see his happiness.

The priest approached the little boy before he left the chapel to congratulate him on such clear and confident reading and commented on his beautiful accent, his Donegal accent.

The same boys returned to their usual secured job of reading, representing their class and school on the day of their confirmation.

The mother of the little boy looked at him and caught his eye when the other boys got up to read and she winked at him.

The little boy smiled widely and his mother knew that the little boy didn’t mind that he only got one chance to read from the alter because now the little boy knew he could do, too.

What happened to the little boy?

Well, he did what all little boys do, he grew up to be a big boy and over the years he got more chances to do readings and speak in front of an audience and congregation.

I believe he is available for birthdays, weddings and bar mitzvahs because when he got his turn, he proved to himself and to others that he was all along and is an excellent public speaker.