My eyes were bright with happiness as I thought about my brand new camera waiting for me at home. My father had gifted me a camera for getting the first position in my exams.

Suddenly, I felt someone nudge me sharply. I quickly snapped to attention and turned to look at the source, my best friend Sara. She silently pointed towards the teacher who in return gave me a lecture about not to daydream in the class. Since I was eager to be out of school, I tried to pay attention or else my lack of attention could lead to detention.

Fortunately, it was the last class of the day. As soon as the bell rang, I rushed out of the classroom as it was home time. My teacher stared with surprise at my disappearing back. My friend looked at me with perplexity as I rushed past her, but stopped and quickly explained to her about the camera and rushed towards my home.

At home I worked with the speed of light. Completed my chores and got ready. My mum was glad to get rid of me as some of her friends were visiting her that day. I hugged myself in excitement and re-read the instructions on the camera manual. Little did I know that the camera would lead me to quite an adventure.

I told mum that I’ll be around taking photographs and she should not worry. I stepped out of my home, deep in thoughts. Even though I had read the instructions at least ten times, I doubted the fact that I would be able to take good photographs without any practice. In the end, I decided to photograph a very picturesque looking shop just two streets away from my home. It was just beside a jewellery shop. I stood at safe distance from the shop and adjusted the lens of the camera to take a nice shot.

Just then, I noticed a suspicious looking woman standing at the window of the jewellery shop. I tried to snap the photograph of the antique shop beside the jewellery shop but my attention was diverted at the last moment and by mistake I took the photograph of the jewellery shop.

At the very moment, I heard the shattering of glass and a high-pitched alarm. I saw the suspicious woman running away with something in her hand while a man was surrounded by people from all sides and they soon started beating the poor guy.

Everyone thought that he was the one who broke the window. But I was sure he was not the real culprit. The police was called to control the situation and the poor man tried to protest but his protests were in vain. He was whisked off in the police jeep to the police station.

All this time, I was looking at the scene with a shocked expression. A kind old passerby asked me if I was lost. I said no and made my way to the police station which was not so far. There I told the sergeant about what I saw, but he brushed me aside and told me not to interfere in grownups matters.

Disappointed, I walked backed towards my home. All of a sudden, I remembered my camera and the one photograph I took. I ran back to the shop and quickly had the photograph developed. The results were supposed to come the next day but I requested them to develop the film as soon as they could because the picture was of an important nature and could save an innocent guy from undue punishment.

The shopkeeper asked me to come after one hour. So when the hour passed, I ran back to the shop and got my picture. I was right, the picture showed the suspicious woman with a brick in her hand. And the man was at distance from shop, immersed in his thoughts. I ran to the police station and triumphantly handed the photograph to the sergeant.

The photograph proved the man was innocent. The sergeant apologised and the innocent man thanked me profusely. My family was very proud of me. I too was happy and pleased that my camera came to a good use.

What happened next you may ask? Well, the police recognised the woman as the one who used to beg on the corner of the street so it was easy for them to catch her.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 30th, 2018