To My Daughter Before Her Exams Poem by Shankaran Kutty

What can I tell you my dear
You have grown up to be past fifteen
But unlike your dad at that age
You have grown without any fear
Without any fear of what the future
Has stacked in its surprise box .
I swell proud when I see you confident
And your dreams you fearlessly nurture

You have seen the world much more
Than I ever did, your age
Which is why I feel you are ready
To face what the future has in store
Now as you reach the first landmark
Ready for life's first hurdle, remember
The path of life is seldom well lit
Rather go through winding alleys dark

Worry not of A plus or hundred
Worry not what the world tells you
Ask yourself if you have given it all
Then the exams, why do you dread.
You are your dad's dreams, his hope
The shining moon, his brightest star
You can outshine him each and every day
These silly exams, you can easily cope

I remember the day those little fingers curled
Around my finger, as you took the first step
Today you are ready for life's first leap
Across the chasm, to conquer the world
So aim for the stars and not the cloud
The world is laid bare for you
To take the first stride, to conquer
And thereby make your dad so proud

Go ahead and choose what you want in life
Choose for yourself not what others want
Then aim for it and make it your goal
Pave the path with your sweat and strife
And the day you write your own story
That would be the day you make me glad
That would be the day I will stand tall and proud
That is the way you will crown me with glory.