Write a story with the following title: Pride Goes Before A Fall.

Having held the interschool storytelling championship for the past three consecutive years, I was the star of
my school. When it came to choosing the right candidate to participate in such competitions, I was always
the first choice. Naturally, I was once again selected to represent my school in the approaching contest this
year.

Upon hearing the fact that I was chosen again, my classmates and friends acknowledged unanimously that I
would undoubtedly emerge as the champion again. Consequently, I became conceited. I was so complacent
that I neglected the importance of practising for the contest.

"Cindy, would you like to come in front of the class to rehearse for the contest?" asked my teacher, a week
before the contest was held.

"I'm sorry, teacher," I replied. "I'm having a sore throat."

That was what I would do, whenever my teacher requested me to practise in front of the class. I always
found excuses to avoid doing so as I had the opinion that I was too good and therefore the practice was quite
unnecessary. On one occasion, I even told her not to worry as I was well prepared for the contest. I only
managed to glance briefly through the story a day before the day of the contest. As the best storyteller
among the students of the local secondary schools, I was too vain to practice and expected everything to be
fine.

The contest was arranged to take place in a community hall. On the day of the contest, the hall was packed.
Apart from my school teachers and principal, many of my classmates and schoolmates were present as well.
I was the eighth contestant. Those who spoke before me did extremely well. On seeing their captivating and
outstanding performance, I began to lose confidence in myself. My palms perspired heavily and I felt
nervous.