Inquisition | Teen Ink

Inquisition MAG

November 15, 2010
By Summer BRONZE, Riyadh, Other
Summer BRONZE, Riyadh, Other
2 articles 2 photos 4 comments

They tie me to a chair, wind my legs in thick laces of rope, gag my mouth, and blindfold my eyes. I can't see anything; I can't hear anyone; I can't move. I fidget with the pencil in my hand, and I know I am supposed to write. My head pounds and my heart thumps feverishly. Perspiration builds at my temples and my teeth grind, crying for the relief that only contact with fingernails can bring. They are asking me to tell them who I am and what I have achieved in my measly 17 years on this planet.

I am no musical prodigy, no Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or Ludwig van Beethoven. I am no master Iron Chef; instead, to scramble eggs without burning them is an accomplishment for me. I am no great explorer like Christopher Columbus. The greatest voyage I've ever embarked on was in my own backyard, and the greatest discovery I ever made was of a quarter wedged between the sofa cushions.

I am not Bill Gates, nor am I Mark Zuckerberg. I can, however, access Facebook using Windows on a PC. I did not write papers on quantum theory like Max Planck and Werner Heisenberg, but I do have a theory on the quantity of jellybeans in the jar in the contest at school. I can't dance like Shakira, smile like Mona Lisa, lead like Obama, or sing like Santana. The only time I sing is when I have a problem, and only then because I find solace in knowing at least something sounds worse than that problem.

I have never met anyone famous; the closest I have come to it was the letter I wrote to President Obama this summer, and he didn't even write back. My impression of an Indian accent is impressive, but I am no great peace-preaching Gandhi.

I am none of these things – yet. Four years from now, tie me to a chair, lace my legs in rope, gag my mouth, blindfold my eyes, give me a pencil and ask me the same question again.


The author's comments:
This was an application essay to Brown University. Still don't know if I am going to be accepted.

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This article has 6 comments.


CGeez23 said...
on Mar. 29 2011 at 5:46 pm
Thats such a creative way to write an essay and it's daring but i think the interviewers wanted you to write about you! not Gandhi, Obamma, Mona Lisa. It's you saying you CANT and it shows that you dont believe in your talents now. However, I like the boldness and creativity. Well done!

Bana said...
on Mar. 29 2011 at 4:57 pm
I really respect the idea somer.. very humble but also very proud at the same time. screw the denial, it doesn't matter at all. 

Summer BRONZE said...
on Jan. 16 2011 at 6:44 am
Summer BRONZE, Riyadh, Other
2 articles 2 photos 4 comments
Thanks :) But I got denied. :'(

on Jan. 15 2011 at 3:07 pm
bahannahpeel PLATINUM, Bloomington, Illinois
27 articles 0 photos 73 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Schools corrupt the mind." The Loco Focos

Love it! I hope you get accepted.

on Dec. 5 2010 at 4:56 pm
TheGreightGutzby SILVER, Brooklyn, New York
8 articles 10 photos 55 comments
I like this alot. Those essays are hard to answer but everyone is great in some way.Just write what you love to do because that alone is great.

MayDay5 said...
on Nov. 28 2010 at 11:39 am
MayDay5, San Diego, California
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"Stay hungry. Stay foolish." -Steve Jobs

interesting intro and metaphor!