“Our final exams are coming near,” Ali said to his mother.

His mum smiled and replied, “And I am sure, my dear, you will take the lead like you always do.”

Ali sheepishly smiled back. Ali was a careless boy and never took his studies seriously. He planned his studying or revising and, instead, he always thought about the different ways of cheating in tests and exams.

His mother didn’t know that Ali got good grades because of different cheating methods he used cleverly. As a result, he often got the first position. It was the time of annual exams and Ali was busy in making plans for cheating.

One day, Ali’s father noticed him watching TV when he should have been studying.

“Son, one week is left for the final exams and I don’t see you studying for it!” Ali’s father looked at him inquiringly.

“I’m done my revision and am ready for the exams,” he replied politely. His dad was relieved to know that.

In reality, Ali had written ‘micro notes’ on tiny pieces of paper and was ready for the exams.

The day of the final exam arrived; Ali dressed up and went to school with his father. He hid the pieces of paper in his special pocket in a pencil case. To his misfortune, he did not realise that he had forgotten to zip up the pocket and went to school that way.

At the time of the exam, a piece of paper fell from the pocket of his pencil case and the invigilator saw it.

“What is this?” asked the invigilator as he bent down and picked it up.

“I never expected that you would cheat,” the teacher said. “You were such a nice intelligent boy and look at you, you have been using your skill in this fraudulent activity!” he added disapprovingly.

Ali was ashamed. He felt guilty in front of the whole class because he had not studied for the exam and he was caught in his attempt to cheat.

He felt embarrassed and accepted his misdeed in front of the whole class. He apologised to the teacher and all the students. Then he left the room and walked slowly towards his home.

He told the truth to his parents. His parents were stunned but appreciated that at least Ali was accepting his wrongdoing.

With the exams having started, Ali attempted to study but there was no time to cover the whole year’s syllabus. Needless to say, Ali failed that year. This taught him a great lesson that by cheating in exams, he was not only cheating himself but also his teachers, parents and friends.

From that day onwards, Ali never cheated and became a trustworthy and honest child. He started to devote his energy and intelligence towards hard and honest work, and soon he was once again a top student. But this time, nothing could take that honour away from him because it was due to his honest efforts.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 10th, 2018