Size doesn't matter - It's all in the Stuff

Who doesn’t want a bigger pie of the cake, a larger share of the spoil’s, a bigger role in the office team, a fatter paycheck, or a bigger car. But does big always win? Is big always better?

Let’s find out.

Good evening fellow toastmasters and guests….

As young girl, I read a lot of fairytales and believed in happy endings. One of my favorite fairytales, was that of Cinderella. I often role played the role of Cinderella in class skits and longed to play it on the school stage.

It was the December of 2003, and we were all excited as it meant that Annual day was approaching. That day, I was more excited as we were to do a play on a fairytale. Any guess what that could be? Yes, you are right. It was Cinderella.

I was overjoyed, as my teacher told us that they would select the characters tomorrow.?I came back home dancing and singing that I was going to play Cinderella in my School play.

The next day as the names were being called out, I was anxious.

My name was called out – but it was not for the main role of Cinderella but that of the evil step-sister. I was devastated and hurt. My face turned dull. I always believed that bigger was better - be it a role in a play or sharing a chocolate with my friend. To tell you the truth, I was happy to be born first so I’d always be the big sister to my sibling.???

I went back home and cried to my mother. She wiped my tears and said, “Always remember my dear, “size does not matter, it’s all in the stuff.”

The next day I went back to school with although I was a bit grumpy, told myself that I’ll perform the small role to the best of my ability.

I practiced very hard for the role of the negative character. The day of costume rehearsal came up, I was delighted to see that the costume of the step-sister, was a full white long dress. I loved white. I was happy, that at least one of my wishes was fulfilled.

The day came, and the play began. After 18 minutes there was thunderous applause from the audience. We bowed and were escorted through the back door.

While I was waiting for my parents to come, a lady walked up to me, hugged me, and said “you did a brilliant job darling”. At first, I thought she was confused as to who played Cinderella, but then her words that followed made my happy. She continued, “I didn’t think somebody your age, could pull off a negative character with that amount of intensity”.

Every parent who came to pick up their child came and told me what a wonderful job I had done. I was on cloud nine.?

Fast forward to 9 years later, as I was walking out of school after finishing my 12th grade, my principal Dr Vasanta Maliyappan and the Correspondent Mrs. Shree Vidya Murali walked towards me. My correspondent said, “Kritika, the school will miss a wonderful theatre player. I still remember your first role in Cinderella.”

In that flash I remembered what my mother had said, “Size doesn’t matter, it’s all in the stuff”

I am sure most of us have felt at some point in time that bigger is better. But, remember it’s the quality that matters not the quantity. Without a little salt the biryani will be tasteless. Without a little head butt the race cannot be won. Without a small key the big lock won’t open.??

It's not the size that matters it's the stuff.