Speech

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Every year (I think) our syndicate do speeches. Individually we create a speech then present it to our class. The three highest scoring year 7's and the three highest scoring year 8's go through and share there speech to the syndicate. After sharing their speech with the syndicate the top year 8 and top year 7 present's his/her speech in the South Wairarapa Speech Competition.

I thought I'd share my speech with you so here you go: (Card 1) Did you know seeing an ambulance is bad luck unless you pinch your nose or hold your breathe until you see a black or brown dog?, did you know if your nose itches someone is coming to see you. If it’s the right nostril the visiter will be female to left, male. Did you know your best to sleep with your head to the north and you feet to the south? I know I didn’t.

These are three examples of superstitions. Superstitions are a widely held but unjustified belief, they are commonly known as ‘old wives tales’, ‘myths’ or ‘legends’. There are probably as many superstitions in this world as there are people to create them or pass them on. But where did they come from you may ask?

(Card 2) Everytime I sneeze my mum say ‘bless you’ this is another example of superstition. This one originated during roman times when people believed a sneeze could release your soul, they believed you were having some sort of struggle to hold onto it so offering you their blessing was a way of helping out.When the black death plague came about in 1348 AD sneezing became a sign of the sick and infected, it meant the person was going to die so it became law to bless a sneezer.

(Card 3) One of the most common superstitions yet arguably one of the most silly ones is to beware of black cats, In ancient Eygpt, the goddess bast, was a black female cat. Christian priests wanted to wipe all traces of other religion so they convinced their followers to destroy the evil demons that were black cats. When they were at it they destroyed the little old ladies who cared for the cats because they believed they were witches.

(Card 4) Have you broken a mirror recently well if you have I’m afraid I have some bad news your about to get seven years bad luck. This myth dates back to a time when it was believed that our reflection was a representation of our souls and If we damaged our refection we damaged our souls.

How often have you heard someone commenting in how unlucky Friday the 13th is? Well I need to tell you that Friday the 13th is truly a very unlucky day. Look at what happened-Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden, Noah’s flood started and Christ was crucified. Christians also noted that 12 witches and 1 devil are present on Satanic ceremonies so Friday and 13 make a deadly combination.

(Card 5) There are superstitions surrounding just about everything you do in life. Many people will base their entire lives around them but others won’t because they believe its made up nonsense or something. Whatever the case may be, the history surrounding these superstitions is fascinating and I for one have enjoyed finding out about them and I hope you have too ! Thanks for listening.