“The Tale of Sanjaya and Simon” is a bedtime story which I’ve written for my grandkids. They always ask me to read them a story before they go to bed…so here goes:

Once upon a time there was a 17 year old teenager named Sanjaya who had a pleasant voice and liked to sing. He entered a national singing contest along with 1000’s of participants from all over the country. Sanjaya was thrilled when he was selected by the ‘professional judges of music’ to be one of the final 12 contestants to compete on national TV for the title of ’singing idol.’ Each week there would be phone-in votes and the contestant who got the lowest score would be eliminated from the show.
Sadly from the start of the TV program Sanjaya was ridiculed each week by one of the judges, a man named Simon. Simon very rarely smiled and most of the time looked unhappy and uncomfortable. He almost always criticized Sanjaya in a destructive and hurtful manner.
Each week as Sanjaya finished his song he was greeted with comments by Simon such as “horrendous,” “horrible,” and other demeaning remarks.
Now, my dear grandchildren, you can imagine how Sanjaya felt. He was on national television with millions of viewers watching. He was doing his best and trying very hard to please. It might not have been what Simon liked or wanted to hear… but as I said Sanjaya did his best and really tried.
How did Sanjaya react to this offensive criticism, you ask. He stood tall and politely smiled.
After several weeks Sanjaya received the lowest phone-in votes and he was off the show…It was one of the only times Simon looked happy and actually smiled.
Was Sanjaya a loser you ask. No, my dear grandchildren, Sanjaya was a great kid…softspoken, polite and a gentleman.
Please remember this story as you grow up. No matter how tough the competition or how cruel the criticism I want you to stand tall, smile, do your best ..and always “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
Then, no matter where you are or what you do, you will be like Sanjaya….. a ‘Class Act’ and ‘a Winner’!!

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