THE HOWL AND THE FUSSYKET

By: Hanie Grace Iquiña Reodava, Teacher I

“As you all know, aside from the intramurals and the quiz bee, we have to join the
Declamation Contest. And for the Grade 6 level the assigned piece is Edward Lear’s, The Owl
and the Pussycat. Class, we have to win this! We need someone to represent the homeroom.
Any volunteers?”

I raised my hand upon hearing that from Mrs. Cruz yet she doesn’t seem to bother yet I
continued raising my hand.

“Any other volunteers?” Mrs. Cruz said once more.

“Ma’am, me! Me!” I said excitedly.

“Very well Louiz Lomibao, you will represent our grade level in the Declamation Contest.
Good luck to us. I mean, to you”

“Are you sure you can memorize that?” My sister asked.

“That’s nothing! My memory is so sharp! This is only as long as “I Believe in God.”

“Son, when is the contest? Make sure to tell me so I can take a leave from work.”

“It’s in two weeks, Mom.”

“Is that so? Hear that Alexi? We have to be there to watch your little brother.”

“Mom?! That’s kid’s stuff. You go!”

“No can do. We have to be there so you can get it on video for your Dad to watch. Right
Dad?

“That’s right. Upload it on Youtube so I can watch it. Goodluck son!” Dad answered as we
watched him on the screen of the laptop as he is on Skype.

“Go ahead and drink your milk so you can do really well. And don’t worry I’ll coach you.”

“I’ve memorized it! Wanna hear it?” I said excitedly as my mom and sister hurriedly take
a seat on the sofa.

“The (H)owl and the (F)ussy(ke)t. The (H)owl and the (F)ussy(ke)t went to sea. In a
(vyutiful) (fea) green (v)oat. (Dey) took some (oni) and (f)lenty of mon(i) wra(ff)ed up in a (p)ive
(f)ound note. (Da) (h)owl looked u(f) to the stars a(v)o(b) and sang to a small guitar.”

My mom’s face turned red as I deliver my Declamation piece, as if she was not happy of
what she has seen.

“Louiz, I need to ask you something.”

“What is it, Mom?”

“Do you really want to join in the declamation contest?”

“Why? Am I not good enough?”

“No, you are good son! But maybe you want to join in the Intramurals instead?”

“I’m not tall enough.”

“The songfest?”

“I’m out of tune.”

“This is what you really want?”

 “Mom, all my life I’ve wanted to do this. When the piece was still “Twinkle Twinkle Little
Star”, I really wanted to do it. I was just too shy. But now that I am older, I know that I can do it.”

“Okay then, if that’s what you really want, I’ll help you.”

So Mom helped me out, she got me a speech coach for my pronunciation, diction, and an
acting coach for my actions and facial expressions and a fashion designer for my outfit.

“The (H)owl and the (F)ussy(ke)t.”

“Louiz, remember what I told you. Chin up!” the acting coach instructed me.

“And work on your clarity. Drop your Rs and your Es. You know what I am saying?” The
speech coach explained.

“Silhouette is the key. Extend your arms. Okay? Come on, go. Fluidity is the key! Do it! “

“The (H)owl and the (F)ussy(ke)t.”

“What a (vyu)ti (pool) (f)ussy you are.”

“Beautiful, again.”

“What a beautiful (f)ussy you are.”

“Puh,”

“Puh.”

“Pussy”

“Pussy”

“Okay from the top.”

“What a beautiful pussy you are.”

I practiced over and over again with my speech coach and my acting coach. I am so
determined to show everyone that I can do it.

“Our next contestant from Grade 6, may we call on Louiz Lomibao.”

“The Owl and the Pussycat. The owl and the pussycat went to sea, in a beautiful green
boat. They took some honey and plenty of money wrapped up in a five pound note. The owl
looked up to the stars above and sang to a small guitar. Oh lovely pussy, oh pussy my love, what
a beautiful pussy you are. You are, you are, what a beautiful pussy you are.”

After I finished my last line, I heard a deafening applause from the audience. I saw my
mom and sister looking so happy and proud.

“And now for the winners of the declamation contest, for the second place goes to, Louiz
Lomibao of Grade 6. That means our declamation champion is…!”

Mom was so happy getting up the stage while she handed me my certificate yet I wasn’t
feeling any happier. It feels like my whole world crashed in front of me upon hearing that I was
only a second placer.

“Come on Louiz, drink your milk now if you really don’t want to eat dinner.”

“What for?”

“So you can grow strong. This is your secret weapon, right?”

“But I lost. It’s embarrassing!”

“You got second place. You’re a winner, too!”

“But I don’t have a medal.”\

 “Tomorrow, we’ll buy you some. How many do you want?”

“Mom, stop joking.”

“Just because you lost this one, doesn’t mean you should give up. It was only first time.
What’s important is you did your best. We did our best.”

“Are you still proud of me?”

“Of course I am! Very proud! You’ve gotten so many hits on YouTube! Your sister already
uploaded the video. Don’t worry, next time we’ll join again. And we’ll work harder on it. Okay?”

I hugged my mom tightly and felt so relieved. I know I did my best and that’s what really
matter to me.