The Cost of Bad Company"

Title: The Cost of Bad Company

In a small town nestled between hills and wheat fields lived a bright and talented boy named Arman. He was known for his sharp mind, polite behavior, and sincerity in studies. His teachers admired him, and his parents proudly believed he would one day become an engineer. Arman’s report cards were always shining, and his character was impeccable—until one fateful change turned everything upside down.

Arman entered ninth grade with high hopes. His old friends had chosen different subjects, and he was placed in a new section. It was there that he met Salman, a boy with an easy smile and an air of confidence that drew people toward him. Salman wasn’t particularly good at studies, but he had charisma. He dressed well, spoke in a laid-back manner, and always had a crowd of admirers around him.

At first, Arman kept his distance. He focused on his studies and limited himself to polite conversations. But Salman, noticing Arman’s intelligence, made an effort to befriend him. “You’re too serious all the time,” he would say. “Life isn’t all books and grades.” Slowly but surely, Arman began to loosen up. He started sitting with Salman during breaks, skipping homework now and then to chat or play games, laughing at crude jokes that once would have made him uncomfortable.

His teachers noticed the change. “Arman, you’re not performing the way you used to,” said his math teacher. “Is everything alright?” He nodded, lying with a forced smile. At home, his parents were concerned, but he dismissed their questions with vague excuses. “Just a little tired,” he’d say. “There’s more pressure this year.”

Over the months, Arman’s habits worsened. Under Salman’s influence, he started bunking classes. He began staying out late, sometimes lying to his parents about group studies that never happened. Soon, the two were frequenting internet cafés, playing violent video games, and watching inappropriate content. Arman began to speak rudely, lose interest in his goals, and develop a rebellious attitude.

The final blow came when Salman introduced Arman to a group of older boys who smoked and consumed drugs. “Just try it once,” Salman urged. “Don’t be such a coward.” Arman hesitated, but he had come too far. He lit the cigarette, coughed, and laughed with the group. That single act led to another, and soon Arman was spiraling down a path he never imagined.

One day, during a school inspection, a teacher caught a faint smell of tobacco on Arman’s uniform. He was taken to the principal’s office, and when questioned, he broke down and confessed everything. His parents were summoned, and the pain in their eyes was too much for Arman to bear. He had broken their trust, ruined his academic record, and worst of all, lost the respect he had once earned.

He was suspended for two weeks and given a final warning. His father, once proud, now looked at him with silent disappointment. That night, Arman sat alone, reflecting on everything. He remembered how it had all started: a laugh, a skipped homework, a joke, a smoke. Small steps that led to a steep fall. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he realized how one wrong friendship had derailed his entire life.

Determined to change, Arman cut all ties with Salman and his group. It wasn’t easy—he was mocked, called a coward, and even threatened—but he stayed firm. With the support of his family and a counselor his parents arranged, Arman slowly began rebuilding his life.

He studied harder than ever, stayed away from distractions, and eventually made his way back to the top of his class. Though some marks of the past lingered in people’s judgment, Arman didn’t let it pull him back. He volunteered for anti-drug campaigns and gave talks in schools about the dangers of bad company. His story became a powerful warning to others.

Years later, Arman became an engineer, just as his parents had once dreamed. He stood tall at his graduation ceremony, his parents in the front row with teary smiles. As he gave his speech, he said, “A single bad friend can ruin your life, but one good decision can save it. I chose the wrong path once, but I was lucky enough to find my way back.”

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Moral:

Bad company corrupts even the best of people. Choose your friends wisely, for they shape your thoughts, your habits, and ultimately, your destiny.