“Hina, come here for a minute,” said Mrs Tanveer.

“Coming, mum!” Hina went up the stairs where her mother was busy cleaning her bedroom with the maid. She went pale when she saw the notebooks in her mother’s hands.

“What are Arifa’s copies doing under your bed?” Mrs Tanveer asked her daughter. Hina hung her head and said nothing.

“Hina, I am asking you a question. Why are Arifa’s copies hidden under your bed?” Mrs Tanveer asked her daughter a bit more sternly.

“I took them from her bag. Because I want to see how she writes ... no matter how hard I work, she always comes first. So I stole her copies and I hope to learn from her work and can come first this year,” Hina answered defiantly.

Mrs Tanveer was shocked by her daughter’s words. She sat down on the bed.

“Do you think you are doing right, Hina? Do you think any achievement or award earned this way carries any meaning?” she asked.

“I don’t care,” answered Hina. “I only want to come first. There is only a week left in the final exams and I know Arifa is terribly worried. She does not have enough time to copy everything. I will learn from her notes and beat her in exams this year,” Hina answered.

Mrs Tanveer exhaled slowly. “Sit down Hina,” she said. Hina was surprised by her mother’s words. She was expecting to get scolded rather badly. She sat down on the edge of the chair.

“Hina, what do you think is the purpose of education? Why do you think parents send their children to school?”

“To study, give exams and get better grades than anyone else,” Hina replied.

“No, my dear. The purpose of education is not merely to learn how to read, write or do sums or learn pages and pages of scientific facts. It is not about passing exams either.

“The real purpose of education is to learn how to become better human beings. You should have the capacity to differentiate between right and wrong. And whenever you have a choice between what is right and what is wrong, you should have enough will power to do the right thing.”

“But mum...,” argued Hina. “No one talks about these things. We are always asked whether we have done our homework, how many marks we got in tests and what grades we get in exams. Our work is always compared to those of other students. It is not about what is right or wrong.”

“And what good are grades that are attained by cheating or stealing a classmate’s notebooks so that she cannot study?” asked Mrs Tanveer. “Your education should inspire you to learn new things and have a critical mind. Education should help you polish your skills and talents so that you can one day enter practical life with confidence and self assurance. And above all, my child, education should instil in you compassion and knowledge that only if you work together with your fellow students, you can truly succeed.”

“I don’t understand. How can I succeed if all girls in my class are as good as I am?” said Hina.

“Hina, you are so good at mathematics. Offer help to those students who are weak in this subject. If their grade improves, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment and this will not diminish your own skills in any way. That is true success in my opinion,” explained Mrs Tanveer.

“So grades do not matter at all?” Hina asked.

“Grades, tests and school exams indicate to the teachers that the lessons and concepts that are taught in class have been understood by you. They also help you to work under pressure, which is also an important life skill.”

“But I hate history. That’s why I took Arifa’s copies. Her notes are very well-prepared.”

“If you are weak in a particular subject, ask for help from parents, teachers and fellow students. You can also search for answers online. But ultimately, it comes to your willingness to learn, work hard and give your hundred per cent in school. Be mentally and physically present in class and do your work regularly. Chances are that your grades will improve.

“But in real life, there are no shortcuts. Being an educated person means that you have to learn how to stand on your own feet and think for yourself. Be a good human being with a sense of social responsibility. What you have done is wrong. Stealing and cheating is a sin and only you can make it right.”

Hina thought about what her mother had said. “Mum can you take me to Arifa’s house?” she said. “She does not live far from here. I will return her copies and apologise to her. I hope she forgives me for the trouble I have caused. I feel so guilty.”

“I am so glad you have made this decision, Hina. Let’s go right now,” said Mrs Tanveer happily.

Published in Dawn, Young World March 4th, 2017