“You know I love chicken sandwiches. Give that to me now!” Alizeh commanded as she stood towering over the timid little girl named Dania.

Unwillingly, like always, Dania gave Alizeh the sandwich and filled her empty stomach with just two biscuits. Dania always did what Alizeh asked her to. It was almost as if she worshipped Alizeh, doing everything she said, like a faithful dog. Dania was afraid of Alizeh, yet she followed her around everywhere.

The next day, there was a book fair at their school. Dania’s parents gave her some money so she could buy herself a book. When the school bell rang, announcing the end of the day, Dania ran to the bookstalls.

She took her time to admire the books, even though she had already realised that they were really expensive and that she would be able to buy only one book.

She quickly went to get money from her bag when she was confronted by Alizeh again.

“Buying a book, eh?”

Dania nodded, knowing what was coming next. “Well, I also want one, so buy one for me too. Now!”

Dania grabbed her bag and quickly went back to the stall. She searched for the cheapest books so she could buy two. But there were none that she could buy with her budget. She only had the money for one and she wanted it for herself.

She scanned the books again and bought a nice activity book. Then she went to the back of the stall. Beads of sweat started forming on her forehead and hands grew cold. She grabbed the first book she saw and hid in between her back and her school bag.

She turned around to see if anyone saw her doing it, then quickly went outside. She pulled out the other book she had hidden with quivering hands and realised it was an interesting book about plants. She decided to keep the activity book for herself and give the book about plants to Alizeh.

“Here you go,” she said, giving Alizeh the book.

Alizeh frowned. “What did you get for yourself, Dania?”

Shaking, Dania showed her the activity book. Alizeh quickly snatched the activity book and threw the plant book at Dania.

“Thank you very much!” saying this, she trotted away towards the other third graders, smirking.

Holding back her tears, Dania kept the plant book in her bag and ran outside to get on the school bus.

On her way home, Dania realised what she’d done. ‘I’ve stolen a book! I’m a thief. Oh my God! What have I done?’ Guilt started building up in her and by the time she reached home, she was all cold and pale.

“Are you okay?” asked her mum.

“I’m fine,” replied Dania.

That night, when she was alone in her room, Dania prayed.

“Oh my Lord! Please forgive me for what I have done. Please do not punish me for this. You know I didn’t want to do it, I didn’t do it on purpose. It was a mistake and I’m sorry. I won’t do it again I promise! Please do not punish me and help me, my Lord!”

The next day, Dania tried her best to avoid Alizeh, just like she did for the next two years till finally Alizeh left the school. It was literally the happiest day for Dania.

A few weeks later, they started the chapter of plants in the science class. Dania remembered having a book about plants at home, so she decided to bring it the next day and show the teacher. The teacher was really pleased to see it.

“Thank you my dear,” said the teacher to a beaming Dania. “I’ll return it to you by the end of this week.” But the day never came and Dania soon forgot about it.

Some months later, a book fair was going to be set up again at their school. The moment she heard about the book fair, she vowed not to go inside, for what happened two years ago popped back into her mind. When it was time to go home, Dania, as she was going home, spotted her science teacher.

She had Dania’s book on plants in her hand and she was talking to one of the stall managers.

“One of the students gave me this book,” Dania heard her teacher say. “And I can’t remember who. Nobody has owed up yet. But then I saw the tag on the book and realised that it had been bought from your stall, so I’m returning this to you. You could sell it to some kid who would be interested as it’s useless to me now. I already have too many books.”

The man nodded and put the book on display. Dania bit her lips and held back her tears while she watched all this.

Realising how God had helped her, Dania thanked God and vowed to never to steal anything ever again. The book was now back where it belonged.

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 14th, 2019