The Morning I Fainted

I have never been a morning person. Last year, I stayed in bed until the last minute every day, and then I ran out the door with my hair still wet. Breakfast? I skipped it almost every day. I always told my mom, "I'm not hungry. I'll eat at lunch."

Then came the Monday of our school sports day. We were standing on the field for the opening ceremony, and the sun was very strong. The principal was giving a long speech. I began to feel strange. My hands were cold, and the voice of the principal sounded far away. The next thing I remember, I was lying on the grass, and my classmates were looking down at me. I fainted in front of the whole school.

I was taken to the school nurse immediately. She gave me a cup of sweet juice and asked me, "Did you eat breakfast today?" I shook my head. She smiled, but she looked worried. "Your brain needs fuel," she said. "You can't drive a car without gas, right?" After twenty minutes, I felt much better. But I was so ashamed that I didn't want to go back to class.

Since that day, I have changed my morning routine. I go to bed earlier, so I can get up fifteen minutes earlier. I don't need a big meal. A rice ball from the convenience store, a banana or a glass of soy milk is enough. My mom, who has cooked breakfast for our family for years, was really happy about it.

The biggest surprise is my grades. I can focus better in my morning classes, and I don't fall asleep in math anymore. Breakfast is a small thing, but it has changed my whole day.