ZELDA

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In a classroom filled with anticipation and the scent of freshly sharpened pencils, Miss Titi, a diligent and determined young teacher, embarked upon her lesson on figures of speech. The students, eager to expand their linguistic horizons, leaned forward in their seats, eyes fixed on her every move.

"Today, we shall delve further into the intricacies of figures of speech," Miss Titi announced, her voice confident yet warm. "Before we commence, however, I would like to gauge your memory from our previous class. Can any of you kindly remind me of the topics we explored?"

Within the blink of an eye, two hands shot up, eager to seize the opportunity to showcase their knowledge. The first hand belonged to Zelda, a bright and articulate young girl with a hunger for academic excellence. The second hand, equally enthusiastic, belonged to Kunle—an ambitious and sometimes prickly student, always determined to prove his worth.

Realizing her mistake, Miss Titi gently reminded them to speak one at a time. "I appreciate your eagerness, but only one of you should respond," she requested, her tone infused with patience. The tension in the room was palpable as Zelda and Kunle vied for the chance to impress their peers and teacher.

A flicker of annoyance crossed Kunle's face, his competitive spirit ignited. "Allow me to answer, Miss Titi," he implored, his voice thick with pride. Yet, unbeknownst to him, Zelda had already decided to yield the floor to him, recognizing that their rivalry was seldom beneficial. "No, Kunle. Let me answer this one," Zelda countered, her words laced with a touch of diplomacy.

A sigh escaped Miss Titi's lips. Normally skilled in diffusing such situations, this particular clash caught her off guard. Unaware of the simmering rivalry between Zelda and Kunle, she had assumed her students were capable of rising above petty squabbles. It was clear that she had misjudged their underlying tensions.

"Kunle, Zelda," the teacher interjected, her voice firm yet tinged with disappointment. "Both of you, please make your way to the back of the classroom and hold your hands aloft as a gentle reminder of our need to respect one another."

As the two students reluctantly complied, their defiant gazes locked momentarily. Miss Titi observed this silent standoff, realizing the depth of their rivalry. Internally, she vowed to create a classroom atmosphere where competition could thrive constructively, rather than breeding animosity between her students.

The remainder of the lesson continued with a newfound sense of tranquility, as the remaining students attentively absorbed Miss Titi's teachings on metaphors, similes, and personification. Though the accident had momentarily disrupted the flow of the class, Miss Titi endeavored to transform this minor setback into a valuable teaching moment.

At the end of the class, as the students filed out of the classroom because it was recess, Zelda and Kunle lingered behind. Addressing them with a sympathetic smile, Miss Titi spoke gently. "It is evident that you both possess tremendous potential, but your rivalry hinders your growth. Let me assure you that this classroom is a safe space to learn and support one another. Your differences can enrich our discussions if channeled positively."

Zelda and Kunle exchanged glances, their shields of resistance slowly melting away. At that moment, they realized that their teacher's words held wisdom, but wouldn't agree to that. Because of the teacher,they decided to put aside their competitive inclinations at that moment and they extended a tentative handshake, but still determined to continue with their rivalry.

After this, Miss Titi left the classroom  and went about her day, leaving the two teengers to consider their shared predicament. As much as they knew their teacher was right, neither of them was willing to admit defeat without a good fight. This was especially true when it came to academics.