Have you ever been left behind at school when everyone else has gone home? Well, it happened to me when I ate too many beef burgers in one day and was taking my sweet time in the bathroom when I realised everyone had left.

My van driver had driven off without me? Nobody, absolutely nobody, had even thought about looking for me? I was bewildered. Staring at my helpless reflection in the dusty bathroom mirror, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I couldn’t even go home because the school gates were locked and my phone was dead.

I gathered up all the courage I had left and decided to explore the shadowy halls of my deserted school. Strolling like a cat through the empty corridor, I heard a strange sound. It was my belly rumbling! I hoped there was something to eat in a classroom or hall, but luck wasn’t on my side.

Suddenly, a tiny, dark shadow darted past me at the speed of light. What was that? My heart was hammering in my chest. Feeling uneasy, I decided to follow the ominous silhouette I was so strangely drawn to. Creeping after it, I found myself at the decaying greenhouse, the notorious setting of our school’s ghost stories. With a heavy heart, I twisted the handle of the rust-covered door and stepped inside.

Snap! A dry twig broke somewhere behind me, making me freeze. I stepped forward, but my usual clumsiness betrayed me. I collided with something and glass shattered into a thousand pieces. My heart exploded at the sound!

Murky brown liquid spilled over the damp earth. Eww! It smelled awful in there. In my stress, I failed to notice an iron pipe lying on the floor. I tripped and, to my horror, spotted an unfamiliar figure under the table. Looking more closely, I found myself staring at a ghostly white kitten, which seemed just as intimidated by me as I was by it.

Feeling sorry for the little creature, I reached into my pocket and was surprised by the crinkle of a wrapper. I remembered the biscuit left over from lunch. Looking at my rumbling stomach and then at the petrified kitten, I made my choice. I broke the biscuit in half and offered the larger piece to the tiny creature. It let out a soft, grateful meow, as if to thank me.

After somewhat satisfying my hunger and befriending the little creature, I looked around the crumbling walls for a socket. To my relief, I spotted one that was still intact. I hastily plugged in my phone and dialled my father.

I knew everyone must have been worried sick; it was already 4:00 pm. When it was time to say goodbye to my new friend, whom I had already named Snow, we decided to take it to a shelter once we got home.

I visited Snow at the shelter every week after that, and I still do. So, what did I learn from this adventure? Never eat too many beef burgers in one day! Even so, it was an experience I will never forget.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 14th, 2026