My little brother wore my old school shoes

Dear Delyara, My brother started secondary school today wearing the shoes I wore six years ago. They are too big for him, so Mother stuffed newspaper into the toes. Before he left, I polished them until the leather looked almost new. The right sole is cracked where I used to drag my foot when tired. I remember being embarrassed by those shoes because other boys had newer ones. Today, watching my brother lace them carefully, I felt ashamed of that old shame. I left university last year to work because my father became ill. My wages now pay most of the school fees. My brother thinks I graduated. Mother told him that because she says children need success stories in the house. This morning, he asked whether wearing my shoes would make him clever like me. I said cleverer. He smiled and ran for the bus. I stood at the gate until he disappeared. The truth is, I did not finish my degree. The shoes carried me toward a future I could not afford to complete. Now they are carrying my brother. I do not know whether that feels like sacrifice, failure, inheritance, or all three tied together with the same worn laces.