My chance came at last. Our school was going to hold a sports meeting. I knew what it   1  to me so I got up very early to prepare for it. I   2  running and jumping. When I was   3 , I   4  myself of my promise and went on.

As the time approached, I felt quite   5 . On the first day I   6  fourth in the 1500m race, but I was far from   7  because what I wanted most was the highlight of the sports meeting—250x8 relay race. I would run the last leg for my team.

With a shot, the race began. All the students were   8  for their team. The competition was so   9  that I began to feel nervous. Before my turn came, my team was   10  the others. Even worse, I almost dropped the stick when I was trying to   11  it.

 12  after that, there was nothing in my mind except to run as fast as possible. Just when I was approaching the finish line, my legs   13 . Then my promise came to mind again and   14  me on. To my   15 , I was the first to cross the finish line!

 16 , I had proved to myself and those who had often laughed at me that I am not   17  at all! My classmates greeted me warmly and I hugged them tightly. I had won the prize as well as their   18 .