The Dream of a Runner!

The Dream of a Runner!

A little boy, frail in body and struggling to walk, went with his mother to pray every morning. He watched boys and girls of his age running freely across the ground. His heart longed to join them. He dreamed of running like them. And he dreamed not only of running, but of winning—first in school, then in county, then in matches far beyond.

He prayed with his mother. He persevered. He practiced walking straight. He stumbled. His knees bruised and bled. Yet he continued. Each step was painful. Every fall was a lesson. Every scar was a reminder of his resolve. And one day, he discovered he could walk without faltering. He could walk straight. Fast. Steady. His heart leapt with joy. Confidence surged. He was ready to chase his dream.

The school announced a running event. He trained tirelessly, imagining himself not just participating, but finishing first. The day arrived. The pistol fired. He forgot the world. His eyes fixed only on the track ahead. He ran, swift as the bullet itself, and crossed the mark first. Victory was his. Confidence became conviction. He practised harder. He entered county matches. He won medals. He rose to state, then national competitions, each time proving himself.

And then came the day—the Olympics. His dream had carried him here. He had engineered it with sweat, prayer, and relentless practice. Standing at the mark, one leg bent, the other braced, he waited. The silence before the shot was heavy. His breath was steady. His heart was ready. The pistol burst. He threw his heart in the air. And he chased it with every ounce of body and soul. He ran like lightning. Like destiny itself.

His mother, seated in the gallery, held her breath.

She stood up and shouted, “Run, my boy… run… run fast, faster!”

And in a fraction of a second, she saw him touch the mark.

The dream was fulfilled. The engineered dream had come true.

Do you know him?

He was Carl Lewis.

Carl Lewis, born in 1961, stands among the greatest athletes in history. Between 1984 and 1996, he captured nine Olympic gold medals, redefining excellence on the world stage. Renowned for his dominance in the 100m sprint and long jump, he repeatedly broke records and became a living symbol of speed, perseverance, and discipline.

His journey reminds us that dreams—when engineered with faith, relentless practice, and unwavering determination—can ascend to the highest arenas of achievement.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune, April 2, 2026

Author of Value-Based Leadership

#EngineeringDreamsInspiringSouls #ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats