Younus was a popular teacher, putting his heart and soul into his work. He was the favourite of the headmaster and students, but the envy of some of the senior staff.
But something happened that threatened to tarnish his reputation.
It was the annual examination, and Younus, being the confidant of the headmaster, was helping him collect the question papers and send them to the press for printing.
Two days before the mathematics examination, the question paper got leaked and was in the hands of every student. There was commotion in the school, and soon the headmaster heard about it, but he did not rush to any conclusion until the matter was thoroughly investigated. However, the teachers began to view Younus with suspicion. Though they never blamed him openly, they spread rumours that Younus had a hand in the leakage of the question papers. Poor Younus spent sleepless nights and wanted to clear his name.
Younus began asking the students how they had obtained the paper, but the students refused to talk. Younus then talked to one of the students who was close to him, and promised him complete secrecy and protection. The boy was reluctant at first, but eventually told Younus how he got hold of the copy of the question paper.
It had all happened this way: the question paper packets had been sent by post to the printing press. The of the boys bribed the peon assigned to take the packets to the post office, and obtained the question paper packets from him. He then them copied and repacked the original packet, and posted it as if nothing had happened.
The boy with the question paper circulated its copies to his close friends, who in turn gave it to other boys until every student had a copy of the maths paper.
This information was passed on discreetly to the headmaster, who investigated very tactfully. The boy who had masterminded the plan refused to speak the truth, but the peon, under threat of dismissal, told the whole story. Younus was relieved to have cleared his name. His honour was restored by the management of the school and the student expelled from the school. Thus, honesty always prevails.
Published in Dawn, Young World, April 12th, 2025
