ADIL and Danial were in the same class and in the same school. Besides that, there was nothing else common between them. Adil was the only child of his parents and, thus, was overprotected and pampered at home. His father was the owner of a mill, therefore, the family enjoyed a wealthy lifestyle.

On the contrary, Danial belonged to a poor family. His father was a tailor and they were living hand to mouth. It was difficult for Danial’s father to afford educational expenses, but since he was good in studies and ambitious, his father worked day and night to finance his education. Besides being studious, Danial was a humble, helpful and kind child.

Adil, on the other hand, was a spoilt brat and was more inclined towards playing pranks in the class than his studies. He was raucous and mischievous; annoying teachers and disturbing the whole class was his favourite thing to do. Also, failing to do the homework had become his habit and, thus, teachers punished him almost every day.

It was Monday, and the students were given some homework to finish over the weekend. As usual, Adil didn’t do it so he was thinking for an excuse. This time he targeted Danial to play his trick on.

It was the games period and everyone was playing in the ground. Adil stayed in the classroom alone, and when everyone had left the class, he went to Danial’s bag and took out his homework notebook. Since there was no safe place in the class to hide the notebook, he threw it out of the window. He grinned while he closed Danial’s bag and joined his class fellows in the ground.

When they all returned and class commenced, the teacher entered asking them to submit their homework notebooks. Everyone submitted their notebooks, except Adil and Danial. Danial was perplexed and kept searching for his notebook in the desk and his school bag. He remembered he had put the copy in his bag the night before after completing his homework but it wasn’t there at all.

While Adil was content for he had achieved what he wanted to. Danial asserted again and again that he had brought his homework and it was only after the games period that his homework notebook was gone, but all in vain. Therefore, this time Danial was punished too along with Adil.

When the school was off and the students rushed towards their vans and buses to go home. No one from Adil’s home came to pick him and Danial’s father was also late. Therefore, Danial sat quietly at the corner of the main gate and waited for his father. Adil ran to the mango tree that was outside their school gate, and started climbing on it.

Danial was still immersed in his thoughts about the homework copy. Just then he heard a scream, and he saw Adil falling off the tree. He landed on the ground and received several cuts and bruises. His head was injured and he was bleeding. By now, there was no one in the school and also the watchman was out of sight.

So Danial ran to help Adil, in the mean time, Danial’s father also arrived and they then took him to the hospital immediately.

After some time, when Adil woke up he found his parents and doctor standing around the bed he was lying. Adil’s father thanked the doctor for his treatment but he said, “Actually, there’s someone else you need to thank,” and told them that if Danial and his father had not brought Adil to the hospital in time, things could have become complicated. Adil was now ashamed of himself and felt sorry that he had stolen Danial’s homework, while Danial and his father had helped him and brought him to the hospital in such a critical condition.

Adil told Danial everything and apologised for his misdeed and Danial accepted his apology. Next day, the whole school including the teachers praised Danial. Adil was feeling better and he was sorry for his misconduct. He promised to obey the teachers and improve his behaviour towards others.