The Name Tag

I could vividly recall years back during my first day in 5th grade. I was a new student then, having transferred to an exclusive school for boys. Life was financially difficult for my parents having transferred me to a school with a higher tuition fee. As much as we can, all unnecessary expenses were to be dispensed with.

At school, we were required to wear a short-sleeve white polo uniform with the school's insignia on its upper left pocket that could be purchased in the campus. And atop this pocket should be worn a name tag to best identify each student. This tag was customized and sold at the campus too. To cut added expense, Mom decided to stitch and sew the tag herself.

"This would do" she said, pushing the tag through snap-on buttons atop the pocket.
"OK Mom". I was a bit hesitant wearing it. I thought it was different and irregular.

At school, boys stared teasingly at the tag.
"Your helper sure did a crooked job", one retorted.
And another remarked "How odd. At least it caught our attention".

I knew it. Initially, I tried to cover it and detach it. But eventually it dawned on me that it didn't matter if it was different from others who wore the machine-customized tags. I realized it should not deter me from doing my best regardless of our differences in culture or economic class or status. What is true is that Mom painstakingly made it possible to give the best for me. I should be proud of it. And I did, I wore this Mom-made badge for the rest of the school year. 

 Submitted by Alferd