The first time I was made to speak in public was when I forced to stand for the ‘School Leader’ election. It was an imposition on me, like a bolt out of the blue one Friday afternoon. The school principal asked me to address the crowd gathered over there and talk about why I should be made the ‘School Leader’. Remember, I used quotes when I mentioned the title. While anyone else would have talked about what they would have done if they were made the ‘School Leader’ I talked about how an ideal ‘School Leader’ should be. This went on for a while until someone tapped me on my shoulder and asked me to stop.
Long story short, I was made one. I come from the suburbs and we weren’t particularly keen on speaking in English and much less on public speaking. I was asked to address gatherings on several occasions, none of which is worth mentioning. I stuttered and stammered, fumbled and mumbled and instead of praises at the end of it I received consolation.
Things weren’t better when I moved to the city. Here everyone was well versed in English. I was made the laughing stock due to my mispronunciations and inability to comprehend what they enunciated. But it was high time to roll up my sleeves, pull up my socks and put my nose to the grindstone. I worked on my vocabulary rigorously, worked on my inflections vigorously and used the abstruse words I learnt religiously on almost any hapless person who crossed my path. Things didn’t go well then. But now, 8 years later, I can say it was worth it. I have become a public speaker.