The Hidden Talent
A surge of excitement and curiosity
Lena had always loved to sing, but she never thought she had a good voice. She only sang in the shower or when she was alone in her car, never daring to share her passion with anyone else. She was too shy and insecure, afraid of being laughed at or criticized.
But everything changed when she met Nnedi Okorafor, an award-winning writer of science fiction and African futurism. Lena was a huge fan of her novels, especially Who Fears Death, which was being adapted into a TV series by HBO. She had read all her books and followed her on social media, admiring her creativity and courage.
One day, Lena saw a post from Okorafor announcing a contest for her fans. She was looking for a singer to perform the theme song for the TV adaptation of Binti, her novella about a young woman who leaves her home planet to study at an intergalactic university. The song had to be original and inspired by the story and its themes of identity, culture, and belonging.
Lena felt a surge of excitement and curiosity. She had always dreamed of writing songs, but she never had the confidence or the opportunity to do so. She wondered if she could try to enter the contest, just for fun. She had nothing to lose, after all.
She decided to give it a shot. She downloaded the novella from Okorafor’s website and read it in one sitting. She was captivated by the story and the characters, especially Binti, who reminded her of herself in some ways. She felt a connection with her struggles and hopes, her fears and dreams.
She opened a blank document on her laptop and started to write some lyrics. She let her imagination flow, drawing inspiration from the novella and her own life. She wrote about leaving home, facing challenges, finding friends, and discovering new worlds. She wrote about being different, being brave, and being yourself.
She finished the lyrics in a few hours and felt proud of what she had created. She read them aloud and liked how they sounded. She grabbed her guitar and tried to find a melody that matched the words. She played around with some chords and rhythms until she found something that felt right.
She recorded herself singing the song on her phone and listened to it. She was surprised by how good it sounded. Her voice was clear and expressive, conveying the emotions of the song. She felt a surge of joy and satisfaction. She had done it. She had written and performed a song.
She decided to submit it to the contest. She uploaded the file to Okorafor’s website and filled out a form with her name and email address. She clicked on “send” and waited for a confirmation message.
She received it a few seconds later. It said: “Thank you for your submission! We will review all entries and announce the winner soon. Good luck!”
Lena smiled and closed her laptop. She felt happy and proud of herself. She had discovered a hidden talent that she didn’t know she had. She had taken a risk and followed her passion.
She didn’t know if she would win the contest or not, but she didn’t care. She had already won something more valuable: confidence in herself and her abilities.
She decided to keep writing songs and singing them, for herself and for others who might enjoy them. She decided to share her gift with the world
She decided to be like Binti: fearless, adventurous, unique.
A few weeks later, she received an email from Okorafor herself. It said: “Congratulations! You are the winner of the contest! Your song is amazing! I love your lyrics and your voice! You have captured the essence of Binti’s story perfectly! You are very talented!”
Lena couldn’t believe it. She had won the contest! Her song was going to be heard by millions of people! Okorafor liked her song!
She felt overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. She replied to Okorafor’s email, thanking her for the opportunity and expressing her admiration for her work.
Okorafor replied back, inviting Lena to meet her in person at the premiere of the TV show. She said she wanted to introduce Lena to the cast and crew and to hear her sing live.
Lena accepted the invitation without hesitation. She was thrilled to meet Okorafor and see the TV show based on one of her favorite stories.
She packed her bags and boarded a plane to Los Angeles, where the premiere was going to take place.
She felt excited and nervous at the same time.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Simon Abilogu and writers in Motivation and other communities.
Dream Big. Work Bigger
Dreaming big has always been celebrated. From childhood, we are encouraged to imagine limitless futures, to picture ourselves succeeding beyond ordinary boundaries. Dreams give us direction, hope, and a sense of purpose. But dreams alone are fragile. Without action, they remain ideas—beautiful, inspiring, and incomplete. That is where the second half of the phrase matters most: Work Bigger. “Dream Big. Work Bigger.” is not just a motivational slogan. It is a mindset that acknowledges a hard truth many people avoid: extraordinary dreams demand extraordinary effort. The size of your dream sets the destination, but the size of your work determines whether you ever arrive. The Power of Dreaming Big Dreaming big is an act of courage. It requires you to think beyond your current circumstances, resources, or limitations. Big dreams often feel uncomfortable because they challenge the identity you currently hold. When you dream big, you are admitting that you want more—more growth, more impact, more meaning. Big dreams also create clarity. They help you define what truly matters to you rather than what is merely convenient or expected. A bold vision acts like a compass, guiding decisions both large and small. When your goals are clear, distractions lose some of their power. You begin to ask better questions: Does this move me closer to my dream, or further away from it? However, dreaming big has its risks. Big dreams can intimidate, not only others but also yourself. They can invite doubt, fear of failure, and the temptation to stay comfortable. This is why many people quietly shrink their dreams over time. They convince themselves to aim lower, not because they lack potential, but because they underestimate the effort required to aim higher. Why Working Bigger Matters More Hard work is often misunderstood. It is not simply about working longer hours or exhausting yourself. Working bigger means working with intention, discipline, and consistency over a long period of time. It is about aligning your daily actions with your long-term vision, even when motivation fades. Working bigger requires patience. Results rarely appear quickly, especially when the goal is meaningful. The effort you put in today may not show visible rewards tomorrow, or even next month. This delayed gratification is where many people give up. They mistake slow progress for failure and stop just before momentum builds. It also requires humility. Working bigger means accepting that you do not know everything and that growth often involves learning through mistakes. Feedback, setbacks, and moments of doubt are not signs that you are on the wrong path. Often, they are evidence that you are stretching beyond what is familiar. Most importantly, working bigger requires consistency. Talent may open doors, but consistency keeps them open. Small actions, repeated daily, accumulate into powerful results. Writing one page every day eventually becomes a book. Practicing a skill regularly transforms ability into mastery. Working bigger is less about dramatic bursts of effort and more about showing up, again and again. The Gap Between Vision and Reality Many people live in the gap between what they want and what they are willing to do. They admire success stories without acknowledging the years of unseen effort behind them. Social media often amplifies this misunderstanding by highlighting outcomes rather than processes. The truth is less glamorous but far more empowering. Success is usually built quietly. It is created in early mornings, late nights, and moments when no one is watching. It is shaped by choices that feel ordinary at the time but prove extraordinary in hindsight. Bridging the gap between vision and reality means being honest with yourself. Are your daily habits aligned with your dreams? Do your actions reflect the future you say you want? This honesty can be uncomfortable, but it is also freeing. It gives you control. Once you recognize the gap, you can start closing it, step by step. Redefining Failure and Progress Working bigger also means redefining how you view failure. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the process. Every attempt teaches you something—about your strategy, your mindset, or your limits. When you work bigger, failure becomes data, not a verdict. Progress is rarely linear. There will be periods of rapid growth and long stretches where nothing seems to change. During those quiet phases, the temptation to quit is strongest. But often, those are the moments when the foundation is being built. Growth happens beneath the surface before it becomes visible. Learning to appreciate progress, even when it is subtle, helps sustain momentum. Progress might look like improved discipline, clearer thinking, or greater resilience. These internal shifts often come before external success, and they are just as important. Living the Mindset Daily “Dream Big. Work Bigger.” becomes powerful when it is lived daily, not just repeated. It shows up in how you manage your time, how you respond to setbacks, and how seriously you take your own goals. It means choosing long-term growth over short-term comfort and commitment over convenience. This mindset does not demand perfection. It asks for effort, honesty, and persistence. There will be days when you fall short, when energy is low, and when doubt is loud. Working bigger does not mean never struggling; it means continuing despite the struggle. In the end, big dreams are not fulfilled by chance. They are earned through consistent action, thoughtful effort, and the willingness to keep going when the outcome is uncertain. When your work grows to match your dreams, something powerful happens. The future you once imagined slowly becomes the life you are building. Dream big, because your potential deserves space. But work bigger, because dreams only come alive through action.
By Saboor Brohi 6 days ago in Motivation
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.