Stage Fright

What would have been your reaction if you were in my shoes on a day back in 1961 December, a teenage schoolboy pushed by friends onto the stage in a hall full of fellow students and staff? They were yelling “Hamid, give us an Elvis number.” You would know what it’s like having cold feet!  

It was our annual school concert, and a four-peace school band was entertaining us. I was shy, though occasionally I sang in the classroom.

My heart was pounding, palms sweating, fingers numb and stomach…