Geometry box

Mischief (Story)

It is a high school in a village. A small incident has happened in Sixth class.

The total number of students in that class is 30. Mathematics subject is taught by Chandran for the class and the period starts immediately after the lunch time is over. Children came from Lunch and sat in the class.

When Chandran turned at black board to explain a sum, a girl by name Kavya stood up and claimed nervously that her Geometry box was missing. The students were stunned and looked at Kavya. Each one started throwing blank looks at others. Chandran turned his head to address the issue of Kavya.

Chandran advised Kavya to check once again in her bag. He also advised to recollect whether she forgot to bring the box from home. Kavya once again looked inside the bag and said to him, “Sir, I remember I brought the Geometry box from home in the morning, and we keep our bags in the classroom while we go for Lunch. I remember very well that it was in my bag before Lunch hour and now it is not seen.”

He looked at the whole class for a while and observed the faces of students. Students sat tight. Their faces are clueless.

He said to the students, "Tell me if anybody has taken it to solve geometrical sums but forgot to put in her bag."

Few of the students said, "Sir we have our own Geometry box. Let her check our bags if she wants."

Chandran looked at Kavya and said, “If you wish you can check their bags. Otherwise, I buy a new one for you, don’t worry”. Kavya hesitated to check the bags and said, “Sir, I forego my box, I don’t want to check the bags.” Chandran gave an admiring look at her. But few students insisted her to check their bags. At last, Chandran asked her to check all the bags.

While Kavya was checking the bags one by one, her Geometry box was found in Akhil's bag. "This is mine," said Kavya.

Akhil immediately stood up and said, "Sir, I don't know how the box has come into my bag. I didn't take it." tears were whirling in his eyes while he was talking.

"And how did it get into your bag," said a mischievous boy from his back.

"I really don't know sir" said Akhil humbly putting his hand on his head as if taking an oath.

"Okay, Kavya, go and sit. If something like this happens again, I won't spare. Sit," said Chandran looking at Akhil. Akhil sat down on his seat wiping tears in his eyes.

After the period was over, Chandran went to the staff room and rested on his seat.

The next period is leisure period for him. When Chandran was relaxing, Akhil came.

Akhil started crying and said," I am not a thief sir, someone deliberately kept the Geometry box in my bag to spoil my name. I really don't know sir” His voice dried up while explaining.

Chandran patted his back, "You are a good boy. I know that. Then who else would have done it?" He said to himself in a low voice.

"I don't know sir." Akhil answered immediately with a low voice.

"Well, I understood that you're not guilty. I'll find out, you go to your classroom."

After that he called two students from that class. They sit on the last bench in the class.

"Do you remember who the last student was to leave the class before going to lunch?" asked Chandran.

"I didn't see it, sir," said one of them.

“You will sit in the last bench, so obviously you are the last dudes to leave the classroom.” Chandran tried to corner them. The other boy, with a flash in his mind, said, “Sir, Venu came along with me out of classroom during Lunch time. But abruptly he went back into classroom saying he forgot something.”

"Okay you both can go" Chandran sent them off and then called another two boys from the class.

"Who are close friends of Akhil in your class" he asked looking at the students.

A boy said "Ravi, Venu, Teja, Seenu and I too."

Second boy added, “But Venu is now not Akhil’s friend sir!".

"Yes, Venu had fight with Akhil since he did not give his notes when Venu asked", said the first boy.

"Okay, you can go," Chandran sent them off.

After that he called only Venu.

While Venu was coming, Chandran observed a visible fear in his face and imbalance in his walking.

"Hey! Venu, you are a very good boy, and you are my favorite boy also, in the class. Why did you do this?” asked him after he came nearer to him.

“Your classmates saw you taking the Geometry box from Kavya's bag and putting it in Akhil's bag. Is it not wrong to do that? Now I must send you out from school. We must call your father also." Chandran said looking into his face.

Venu got afraid of those words. With a quivering voice he said, "It's my mistake sir, I won't do that again. Pardon me sir." he started crying.

"Okay, tell me why you did it, then say apologies to Akhil” Chandran said with a serious face.

"Sir, Akhil is my friend. I asked his English notes, he didn't give. I got beatings from English teacher for not writing notes. That’s why I played this trick, and I wanted Akhil also to get beaten up. I'm sorry sir." He pleaded with feeble and crying tone.

Chandran, called Kavya and Akhil too and Venu pleaded them to excuse him.

Chandran asked Kavya, "Now do you understand what has happened?”

"Yes sir. I thought Akhil has taken the Geometry box. But now the real thief is Venu.” Kavya said with a sneering look at Venu.

"No, your understanding is wrong. Here nobody is a thief. Don’t use that word. To take revenge on Akhil, mischievously Venu placed your Geometry box in his bag. It is a mischief.

“If Venu is really a thief, he could have carried the box to his home. Yes, or no?” He asked Kavya to get the clarity from her.

“Yes sir. Got it. I am sorry.”

“That’s good. Venu tried to play mischief but at the end it played reverse. Am I correct Venu?” Chandran asked looking at Venu.

“Yes Sir!” Venu replied sheepishly.

"Ok forget this matter here. Don't discuss it anymore and anywhere. Understood!?” “Hereafter you are good friends. Study well and get a good name." He joined their hands and sent them to classroom.

Meanwhile, next bell rang in the school and Chandran moved from staff room to teach his next class.

@@@@@ @@@@ @@@@@