M’sian Mum Feels Guilty After Arriving Late To 9yo’s Storytelling Competition, Sees Her Disappointed Despite 1st Runner-Up Finish

A mother recently shared a bittersweet moment involving her 9-year-old daughter after she took part in a storytelling competition at her Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) (SJKC).

Taking to Threads, the mother, Ika (@ika_ludin), shared the moment her 9-year-old daughter, Qaira, appeared visibly disappointed after placing as the first runner-up in the competition.

Standard 3 girl visibly disappointed after placing first runner-up in competition

In one of the videos, the eldest daughter could be seen being consoled by a woman, believed to be one of her teachers.

Ika recalled how, on the morning of the competition, Qaira would excitedly reminded her not to forget about it before her husband sent her off to school.

“This is the first time I’ve felt guilty in my nine years as a mother. My eldest daughter had a storytelling competition and she was so excited that morning. She even reminded me not to forget about it. After praying, I fell asleep and woke up at 7:30 AM, while the event started at 7:45 AM,” her caption read.

Ika rushed to Qaira’s school, but when she arrived, the teacher told her that Qaira’s turn had already passed.

“I looked at my daughter from afar. Her eyes were already filled with tears, and she lowered her head.”

“She spent two months preparing for the competition”

Ika further mentioned that Qaira had spent two months memorising her story for the competition, and shared how heartbroken she felt seeing her daughter so upset.

“Qaira spent two months memorising her story. But just like that, I broke her heart. She still managed to get first runner-up, but she was sad. I kept asking myself, ‘Did I fail?’ Just like that, I broke my child’s heart and shattered her hopes.”

However, in a screenshot of a conversation between Ika and Qaira’s teacher, the teacher reassured her that while Qaira was initially sad, she eventually felt better.

Ika and her daughter, qaira

Following the incident, many Malaysians took to the comments to show their support and reassure Ika that she hadn’t failed as a mother.

Netizens reactions

“It’s okay. Apologise to her and explain what happened. Treat your daughter whatever food she wants. Girls are usually strong and resilient.”

“You didn’t fail as a mother. The guilt you feel itself shows how deeply you love Qaira. Feeling tired is only human, and Qaira still showed how amazing she is by coming in as the first runner-up. Give her a tight hug and celebrate her achievement.”

“What’s done is done, and it wasn’t intentional. Let this be a lesson for both you and your daughter on how to deal with disappointment. Some things are out of our control. Hopefully, it won’t happen again. Congratulations, Qaira. Being the first runner-up is no small achievement.”

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know down in the comments!

Also read: Uncomfortable Over Teacher Teasing Her Name ‘Chinta’, 9yo M’sian Girl Secretly Tries to Legally Change Her Name