Ilay in my bed stressed about the exams. Last year, I had failed so my parents weren’t happy at all. But this time, I wanted to make my parents proud and show them that I can do anything. I thought of ways to get good grades and make my parents proud.

I thought of sitting near an intelligent child so that I could cheat from his paper and get better grades. But my conscience and heart stopped me. I thought again and again about it. I spent sleepless nights pondering over it. After a week or so, I finally made my mind that I would cheat.

I went to school the very next day and told my friend that I would cheat. Also, I told him that he should not tell the teacher. On hearing this he was surprised and tried to convince me not to cheat.

He said to me, “Ali, you should not cheat or else you will get punished.”

On hearing this, I angrily replied, “Instead of helping and taking my side you are scaring me!” I got up and left from there.

Still there were three weeks in the exams. I could not believe that for the first time in my life I would be cheating. I surfed the web about how to cheat in exams and the advantages of cheating. But on one website the disadvantages or the consequences were also written. I read the disadvantages and got really shocked on reading them. Deep in my heart I was convinced not to cheat as it was the worst thing one could do.

The next day, I told my friend, “Hamza, I have decided not to cheat in the exams.”

On hearing this, Hamza was really happy and he told me that I should start preparing hard for the exams because there was still time.

As soon as I went home, after taking a bath and eating food, I started studying for the exams. Whenever, I had a difficulty I would call up Hamza and ask him to explain me that topic. We started studying together and I spent my day studying until 1am at night.

Finally, exams came. I was quite prepared and ready to give the exams. I felt so confident and happy when I received the question paper because I had prepared so well. I finished the paper before the usual time.

I waited for the result. Each morning I would get up and pray that I would get good grades. When the exam result came, I was surprised to see that I secured the highest marks. I could not believe my eyes. Then the principal called me onto the stage and awarded me with a medal and a certificate. As soon as I got off the stage, I went straight to my friend Hamza. He congratulated me. I thanked him for discouraging me from cheating and then helping me out throughout the preparation period.

My parents were really proud seeing the result and congratulated me. These exams were awesome and they taught me a lesson that even if you are late in doing something it’s better than never doing it. And this valuable lesson lasted a lifetime and helped me make better and wiser decisions in the future.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 9th, 2019