It was half yearly Exam and I was doing my 8th standard. In a bench there were three, one from standard 6, 8 and 10. One of my classmates who was next to me, was always telling me that he had bits (or chits) to copy and he had answered most of the questions with that ( It was such a Heroic thing in my school where most of them had bits and was showing themselves as hero’s that time). He used to do that daily and was showing himself as an expert in copying. Even I said him that I am also an expert in doing that (I didn’t know why I said that, may be because of my ego).
So next day after my exams I just shown him some bits to say “I copied today“ (but actually I didn’t). He didn’t believe me and said “give me proof” (As if I said a new theorem). I said OK, I will do that tomorrow. Next day It was English Exam, I knew all the poems but to give him a proof I took a small bit paper where all the poems were written (I didn’t prepare that, it is a copy given with Ganga guide).
We started our exam and when I started writing the poem, I want someone to see that I am copying so that he will be my witness. A 6th standard student was sitting beside me, I called him and I shown him the bit I had (Hope you didn’t see a fool like me ever in your life). Suddenly he (a very innocent student) stood and called the supervisor and said “Sir, He is having a bit paper” pointing his fingers on me. I didn’t know what to do, I put the bit into my sweater and stood up saying “I don’t have any”.
The supervisor checked my pockets and he couldn’t find any. The same boy said the supervisor again that I have hidden it in my sweater. I was terribly angry on him. My supervisor took that bit and asked my name. All were looking at me, I felt ashamed and scared (Not because he caught me but I am son of a teacher who is working in the same school which the supervisor doesn’t know). He took my paper and found I was in the middle of my poem, so he gave me a new sheet and asked me to write the poem again. Uff… my goodness I got small punishment (because I knew the poem) I thought and sat down to start writing...
I was staring at that boy thinking that I will kick his … after that exam outside the class. My supervisor read my thought and he came to us. He said that boy, “Please tell me, if this guy hurts you after this exam” pointing his hands to me. I kept quiet and was thinking that, it would be better if he doesn’t ask about my father.
The last five minutes of the exam. The supervisor came to me and asked “Where are you coming from?”, “Shanthoor” I said. He asked, “Do you know five of our teachers are from your place?”. I was standing quiet (He doesn’t know that all the five were my relatives). Then he asked ” Who is your father?”, I said “He is a Teacher”. He stared at me and asked “Where is he working?”, I said “Here in our school”. He was totally shocked and he asked me “What’s his name?”, I said “Mr. Jacob Peter” (One of the Strict Teachers in my school, more than that he was in charge of discipline) . He really got angry on me and he started scaring me asking “Shall I tell this to your dad?”. I said “Please don’t, I will not do next time”.
That day was my first and last attempt of taking bits to Exams. I was really disturbed and I asked myself, Why did I do this? What made you to do this? I realized my mistake and forgave myself as my teacher forgave me.
Many times in our life we do things just because all others do it, without asking why and what. Also we do things just to don’t give up our “self” easily. Just to show up our “self”, we make our minds blind and doing things which is not necessary at all. Finally it brings shame and guilt feelings to us. I thank God that I learnt this lesson early in my life.
