Theme: Honesty, good conduct

Lie doesn’t go far

Marcos was the best student in the class, always organized and studious. Élcio, on the contrary, was not a diligent student and had already failed the test. He needed a good grade in the complementary activity.

When he arrived in the class and talked with his colleagues, he realized that he did not have done the activity that should be delivered that day. Without thinking twice, Élcio sought out Marcos and proposed:

- I buy your snack in the cafeteria for a week if you put my name on your work!

Marcos didn't use to do wrong things. But the cafeteria sold very tasty things, and he could only buy snacks from time to time. So, despite being afraid, he ended up accepting the offer.

When the class started, the teacher asked everyone to hand over their work. Noticing that Élcio delivered nothing, the teacher asked:

- Why didn't you deliver yours, Élcio? You did not do it?

- Yes, I did, teacher! Said the boy, confident. - I did it in pairs, with Marcos.

The teacher was surprised, because Marcos used to do his activities alone and was not a friend of Élcio.

- Really? And what part of the job did you do? - she said.

Without knowing to quote the content of the work, Élcio replied simply:

- I made the beginning and Marcos made the end!

The teacher, suspicious, turned to Marcos:

- Did you really do the job together?

Marcos blushed. He didn't know how to lie. Specially to the teacher. But he had accepted the deal with Élcio. Then, looking down, he replied:

- Yes, it is true. Élcio did half of the job.

The teacher then gathered all the activities together, kept them in her briefcase and started the class.

Marcos sighed with relief and thought: "Soon the good part will come, snack time". But, unfortunately, things did not go as he expected. As soon as the bell rang, Marcos looked for Élcio. But he laughed and said he had no money even for his own lunch, imagine pay for others.

- I promised this just for you to help me! But I'm not going to buy any snacks. Don't bother me! - Said Élcio, looking angry.

Upon hearing these words, Marcos was devastated. He felt as a fool for making the deal with Élcio. He also felt bad for lying to the teacher. He thought of telling her everything and apologize. But if he did that, Élcio would score zero and maybe come to fight him.

“I wanted to get along, but in the wrong way. Now, I am screwed!” Thought the boy sadly.

The break ended and the students returned to the class. Marcos entered the room without knowing what to do. When looking at the teacher, however, he didn't even think about Élcio, he wanted to apologize for the lie. He went to her and said:

- Sorry teacher! I didn't want to have...

- Not now, Marcos! - She interrupted. - I'm starting the class, we talk later.

When the class ended, the teacher asked Marcos and Élcio to stay and dismissed the other students.

- Marcos, during the break I looked at your work and saw that it is written entirely in your way and with your handwriting. So, I called your mothers. His mother, Marcos, said she saw him doing the job alone on Saturday. Your mother, Élcio, said that you traveled to your aunt's house over the weekend. You didn't even take the notebooks with you, and you said you didn't have any school duties to do.

The teacher concluded:

- That's why, Élcio, if you don't explain the part you did to me correctly, I can't believe you participated in Marcos's work.

The boy was unable to say anything. He didn't even know the title of the homework. He ended up confessing everything, including what he had promised to Marcos.

The teacher severely called Élcio's attention and instructed him to change his behavior. When he left, she turned to Marcos and said:

- Marcos, listen to me carefully. You are a great student. Today you made a mistake, but you are still a boy full of qualities. That experience was unpleasant, but it can be useful if you learn from it.

The teacher, opening her arms, continued:

- Come here! I'm not mad at you. I just want you to promise me that it will never happen again. Is it ok?

The boy, touched by the teacher's affection, embraced her gratefully.

- I promise! - he said.

Marcos went home relieved. In the end, everything worked out. Bad experiences also teach us and that is why God allows them. Both Marcos and Élcio learned important things that day.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com