BRIDGING WORLDS

 BRIDGING WORLDS

 

“You never forget the moment history walks into your life.”

 

These words played on Scott’s mind as he froze momentarily, watching the door swing open. In walked Bill Clinton, his Southern charm emanating even before he uttered a single word. It was 1998, and Scott, an exchange student from a small town in Scotland, was suddenly catapulted into the diplomatic swirl of Washington, D.C.

 

Clinton’s smile was magnetic and infectious. “So, you’re the student causing all the buzz,” he said, extending his hand. Scott’s heart raced as he shook hands with the President of the United States, a man who dominated his small TV screen—for a moment, time stood still.

 

“Ye- Yes Sir. I didn’t know I was causing so much buzz,” Scott replied, his Scottish accent thick but steady, as he tried to speak in the drawl of his childhood hero, W. Axl. Rose, the frontman of the band Guns N Roses, which was a rage during his school days.

 

Clinton chuckled, “In Washington, just by being yourself, you can make waves. Just keep at it.”

 

This meeting should have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any student, but Faith had other plans. Many years later, in 2009, Scott sat across from another US President—Barack Obama. Now a bit more mature, Scott had the innate ability to connect people from different backgrounds, cultures, and nations. Scott had become the symbol and voice for international cooperation.

 

“Scott, I’ve read and heard about you,” Obama said calmly, no-nonsense, assuredly. You’ve bridged worlds in ways even seasoned diplomats struggle to. How do you manage to walk both lines?”

 

Scott paused, weighing the question in his mind, before replying, “I think it’s because I’ve never seen them as separate worlds,” he began, his voice filled with reflection. America gave me a second home, but the funny part is that it was always my home, even in Scotland, where I grew up. I have never forgotten my roots. I’ve always been Scottish and American, living in both places simultaneously.”

 

Obama smiled all knowingly. “That’s a wonderful, unique perspective. Most people are caught up choosing sides. You didn’t.”

 

Scott chuckled, shaking his head. “I think I’m just lucky. But honestly, it all began with the opportunity and second chance this country gave me. It’s funny how one handshake can open doors and change your existence.”

 

From that moment on, Scott’s life transformed in unimaginable ways. His story of being adopted by the United States and becoming a global ambassador in his own right resonated worldwide. He became a fixture in contemporary pop culture, a symbol of unity in an increasingly polarised world. His speeches, thoughts, and works were quoted, and his face appeared in magazine covers. His influence spanned from the diplomatic community’s boardrooms to stages of late-night talk shows and even stand-up comedy shows like the Trevor Noah show.

 

His reflections and monologues found their way into films, web series, and music videos. His message was simple yet profound. “We’re all citizens of the world. We are members of the global family, and our ability to connect and understand each other truly makes us human, and we believe in humanity.”

 

Yet, for all his success, Scott remained humble and retained his simple lifestyle. He knew that fame wasn’t the goal but the result of living his authentic life and truth.

 

One evening, while being interviewed by a top journalist from Time magazine, Scott was asked, “After all this success, what’s your next dream? What’s left to accomplish?”

 

Scott smiled, leaning forward, his eyes glistening with sincerity. “I have a long way to go. I am just starting… and have miles to go before I sleep.  I think it’s time to give them away; in the service of others, it’s about helping others. I was given the chance of a lifetime, and I think it is my responsibility to pass it on and help others. I’ll be a bridge for as many people as I can.”

 

The veteran journalist was silent, hanging onto every word. Scott had managed to articulate the pulse of his journey: one in which a strange twist of fate had not only changed his life but also allowed him to change the lives of countless others.

 

The seasoned journalist paused, clearly moved. “You’ve truly become a bridge between worlds.”

 

Scott sat back, his mind travelling back to the first handshake with the President of the USA. “A bridge,” he murmured. “I want to promote international understanding and cooperation and be a bridge between the people of our two worlds. That’s all I want to do.”

 

With that, Scott had found his final stage, his calling, not just as an international star but as something far more significant: a link that united nations, cultures, and dreams.

 

“Sometimes the greatest stars aren’t the ones in the sky. They’re the bridges we build between us.”