The Bridge of Determination

The Bridge of Determination

In the quiet outskirts of a small Pakistani town, life moved slowly. The days were marked by the call of the mosque’s azaan, the chatter of children returning from school, and the aroma of freshly baked bread from the corner shop. In this modest town lived Saad, an 18-year-old boy with big dreams but few opportunities.

His father, Ahmed, owned a small grocery store, and his mother, Samina, worked long hours stitching clothes for neighbors. Money was tight, but love was abundant in their home. The family had one unshakable belief — education was the only way forward.

One evening, while Saad was in his final year of college, his teacher, Mr. Rehman, announced in class:

> “Life will not come to you with a silver platter. If you want to change your circumstances, you must earn it. In our country, competitive exams are one of the biggest keys to success. They can open doors to scholarships, jobs, and respect. But remember, the key only works if you work for it.”

The words sank deep into Saad’s heart. He didn’t see it just as an exam anymore — he saw it as a bridge to cross from his small-town life into a world of opportunities.

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The First Step on the Bridge

Saad made a plan. He would prepare for the CSS (Central Superior Services) exam — one of the most competitive in the country. Everyone said it was too difficult for someone from a small-town government school. But Saad believed otherwise.

His mornings started at 4:30 a.m., when most of the town was still asleep. He would pray Fajr, then sit at the wooden desk his father had fixed for him. The desk was old and had scratches, but to Saad, it was his command center.

His day was divided into subjects — current affairs, Pakistan studies, English essay writing, and general science. He used second-hand books bought from a used-book market in Lahore. His English was weak, so he started reading newspapers aloud to improve vocabulary.

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The First Failure

After a year of hard work, Saad finally took the CSS exam. He came home hopeful, imagining his name in the list of qualifiers. But when the results came, his heart sank — he had failed by just two marks in the English essay paper.

It felt like the bridge had collapsed in front of him.

Friends told him, “It’s not worth it, Saad. You’ve already tried. Move on.” Even some relatives suggested he take over his father’s store instead of “wasting time” on dreams.

But one evening, Mr. Rehman visited his home. He found Saad sitting silently in the courtyard. The old teacher smiled and said,

> “A failed attempt doesn’t mean the bridge is gone. It just means you need stronger steps. The real key to success is persistence.”

Those words rekindled Saad’s determination.

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The Second Attempt

This time, Saad changed his approach. Instead of studying alone, he joined a small study group in the nearby city. He learned time management, solved past papers, and took mock exams under timed conditions.

To improve his English essays, he wrote one every day and sent it to a mentor online, who corrected them and gave feedback. His mother often brought him tea at midnight, silently supporting him with her quiet presence.

Every day, Saad reminded himself: “This exam is my bridge, and I will cross it no matter how many times I stumble.”

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Crossing the Bridge

When the results of his second attempt were announced, Saad’s hands trembled as he opened the PDF list of qualifiers. And there it was — his name. Not just among the passers, but ranked in the top 10 nationwide.

The entire town celebrated. His father closed the shop for the day, and neighbors came to congratulate them. His mother’s eyes welled with tears as she whispered, “You’ve done it, beta. You’ve changed our family’s story forever.”

That exam result became the key that opened doors — a full government-sponsored scholarship for higher studies, a stable civil service position, and opportunities to work on national development projects.