From Average Student to Most Admired | What’s the Real Measure of Success? | by Vimukthi Reshan | Inspiring Story #226

My sister Sumi is a single mother; her daughter Anna has always been called "Number 23." Every time the school released exam results, Anna would always end up in 23rd position among 50 pupils. Always 23, regardless of topic or term. Every time Sumi heard that moniker, it caused her concern.  

Sumi now runs a service firm planning small events—outdoor excursions for staff and their families or weekend parties. The discussion nearly always turns to their children as most of her clients are parents.  You know how it goes—one parent discusses their child's piano honors, another boasts about math olympiads or leadership responsibilities. Sumi would simply sit there, softly nodding, feeling uncomfortable.

While others were honoring these 'great youngsters,' all she could think about was Anna and her tenacious moniker, Number 23.

The Weight of Being “Number 23”

One day, Sumi and Anna were asked to a nice get-together.  The adults were speaking around a big round table, and as the lunch came to a finish, someone playfully asked the youngsters what they wanted to be when they grew up.

“I want to be a pianist!”
“I want to be a famous actor!”
“I want to be a politician!”
“I’ll start a business and make tons of money!”

One after another, the children gave these bold, ambitious answers. The adults clapped and complimented each one.

Anna? She didn’t answer. She was more interested in quietly helping out—bringing cups of soup, handing cookies around. Just in her own little universe, gladly helping.

Then the same relative who raised the inquiry looked at Anna and added, “Hey, our Anna hasn’t told us yet. What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Anna paused. Then she smiled and added, “Uncle, I want to be a Montessori teacher. I love tiny kids. I love dancing and singing and playing with them.”

And suddenly, the whole room just... became quiet.

Sumi told me it hit her hard. It was like her heart got caught in her throat.

She had done everything to help Anna with school—hired professional tutors, bought fancy stationery, even packed brain food. She made all kinds of promises to compensate her for improved marks. And Anna tried. She really did.

She gave up sketching, paper cutouts, even sleeping in on weekends. She just moved from one class to another, endlessly trying, question after question.

But then the indicators started showing—she lost her appetite, couldn’t sleep, sweated all the time. Eventually, she got terribly sick. Fever, weariness... it shattered Sumi.

Letting Go and Finding Joy Again

That’s when she caved in. She stopped pressing. She gave Anna her independence back. And just like that, Anna bounced back to being the cheery little child they knew.

A few weeks later, Sumi and her pals went on a weekend excursion with their families. During lunch, two lads got into a full-blown quarrel over a single slice of dessert. One was a high English student, the other a Math Olympiad youngster. No one could calm them down. Then Anna stepped in.

“Let’s flip a coin,” she said. Simple as that.
Boom—problem solved. Everyone was stunned.

Later, on the journey back, they got delayed in traffic. The kids were getting restless, fidgety. Anna? She started delivering jokes like a big sister. Even the adults chuckled. Then she took the leftover candy boxes, used scissors, and started converting them into animals—paper elephants, lions, and birds. Before everyone said goodbye, she presented one to each youngster as a souvenir. The other parents were shining with appreciation.

For the first time in years, Sumi felt something surge in her chest—pride. And this time, she wasn’t holding back her tears.

The Special Gifts of an “Average Student”

Not long after, Sumi got a phone call from Anna’s class teacher.

The teacher remarked, “Anna’s grades haven’t changed much—she’s still right in the middle. But I’ve been teaching for 30 years, and I saw something for the first time. We added a bonus question at the end of the exam: Who’s your favorite student in class and why? Almost every single pupil scribbled your daughter’s name.”

Sumi was speechless.

“They said she’s kind. That she helps others, listens, involves everyone. Many even recommended we appoint her the class leader. I just wanted to let you know—grades aside, you’re raising a genuinely remarkable child. I’m proud of her.”

Sumi cried after the call. Not out of despair, but something deeper. Joy. Relief. Maybe understanding.

Rethinking the Real Measure of Success

That afternoon when Anna returned home from school, Sumi kissed her and said, “Your teacher called today.”

“Really? Why?” Anna asked.

“She said something amazing. She told me that everyone in your class adores you. She said you’re a beautiful youngster. I didn’t realize my little kid was a real-life hero.”

Anna grinned and added, “Mom, I’m not a hero. I don’t want to be one either. When a hero walks down the road, everyone claps for them. I want to be the one clapping.”

That simple answer just... it changed something in Sumi. And honestly, in me too.

We all want our kids to achieve, to shine, to be number one.

But sometimes we forget—being kind, happy, and true to yourself? That’s the actual achievement. Maybe being “Number 23” isn’t that horrible after all.