The Light of Knowledge

The Light of Knowledge

BY: Ubaid

Wajiha Nadeem, Karachi

“Fool! You are such a fool. All you know is studying, nothing else. You’re like a bookworm who spends her whole life with her nose buried in books. Hahaha!” Ariba’s mocking laughter echoed in the classroom as she ridiculed her classmate, Sarya.

Sarya, unlike most of her peers, was one of the most serious and dedicated students in her class. She was always determined to come first in exams and never wasted time on idle talk or careless activities. If others played or joked around, she quietly turned the pages of her books, diving deeper into the world of knowledge.

It was chemistry period that day. Sir Ishtiaq, a middle-aged teacher with a deep, commanding voice, was enthusiastically delivering his lecture on the structure of the atom. His chalk moved swiftly across the blackboard as he explained protons, neutrons, and electrons with great passion. Yet, despite his energy, most students in the class were lost in their own worlds.

Maria and Amina, seated at the back, were giggling while drawing beards and mustaches on the portraits of scientists in their textbooks. They had turned serious figures like Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr into clowns with scribbles of thick glasses and crooked teeth. Nearby, Halima and Saleema were whispering to each other, not about atoms or chemistry, but about history. They were halfheartedly reciting the “Fourteen Points of Quaid-e-Azam” as though it was some kind of tongue twister to pass time.

Alina, who was supposed to be taking notes, was daydreaming about food. She had skipped breakfast that morning, and her mind was busy imagining crispy samosas, steaming plates of biryani, and sweet gulab jamuns rather than the invisible world of particles that Sir Ishtiaq was describing. Meanwhile, the rest of the class was busy whispering, gossiping, or playing small pranks on one another. The atmosphere was noisy and chaotic—completely unfit for learning.

Only Sarya sat quietly, her notebook open, her pen moving quickly to capture every important point her teacher explained. But the constant noise around her made it difficult to focus.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the period. But the next class was no different. The same distractions, the same chaos, and the same lack of interest filled the room. For Sarya, it was unbearable.

When the school day ended, she returned home feeling utterly exhausted and disheartened. Dropping her bag carelessly, she sank into the sofa with a heavy sigh.

“What’s the matter, Sarya? You look upset. Come, eat something first,” her mother said gently, placing a plate of food in front of her.

But instead of eating, Sarya burst out in frustration. “Ammi, I’m not going to school from tomorrow! What’s the point of going? There’s nothing but noise and games there. Nobody listens to the teacher. Nobody wants to study. I can’t learn anything in that environment. I’ve decided I won’t go anymore.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she rushed to her room, slamming the door behind her. Her mother stood silently for a moment, realizing how deeply hurt her daughter was.

Later that evening, when Sarya was sitting on the sofa with her head in her hands—too upset even to attend her tuition—her mother came and sat beside her. With patience and wisdom, she spoke softly:

“My dear child, you must never let the carelessness of others become the reason for your own downfall. If others are wasting their time and sinking in the darkness of ignorance, does that mean you too should abandon the light of knowledge? Think, Sarya—shouldn’t you be the one who inspires others toward learning instead of turning away yourself?”

Her mother’s words struck Sarya deeply. She realized she had been on the verge of making a big mistake. Why should she give up just because others were irresponsible? If knowledge was precious, then it was her duty not only to preserve it for herself but to spread its light among those around her.

That very night, Sarya made a decision. She promised herself that she would never step back from the path of learning. More than that, she vowed to awaken the spirit of education in her classmates as well.

The next morning, she arrived at school with a new determination. Instead of isolating herself, she began to speak to her classmates during breaks. At first, many laughed when she encouraged them to take their studies seriously. But Sarya was patient and persistent. She explained lessons in simpler words, helped friends with homework, and even created small study groups. Her enthusiasm was infectious.

Slowly but surely, her classmates began to change. Maria and Amina found more joy in solving equations with Sarya than in scribbling on textbooks. Halima and Saleema discovered that history was much more interesting when connected to real events. Alina realized that focusing in class left her with more free time at home to enjoy her favorite snacks.

Within weeks, the atmosphere of the classroom transformed. Instead of chaos, there was focus. Instead of laughter over mischief, there was excitement about learning. Even Sir Ishtiaq noticed the change. He praised the class, saying, “Now this is the spirit of true students! If you continue like this, nothing can stop you from shining bright.”

Sarya’s campaign, which she called the “Spread Knowledge Movement,” became well-known in the school. Students from other classes admired her dedication and began to join in.

When the annual examinations arrived, the results told the true story. Sarya’s class, once the most careless and noisy, had performed remarkably well. Their collective performance was like a shining star, proving that with the right guidance and determination, even the most distracted students could excel.

Sarya stood proudly with her classmates on result day, her heart filled with joy. She realized that knowledge was not just about individual success—it was about lifting others with you, about spreading light where there was once darkness.

Her mother’s words echoed in her heart: “If others are drowning in ignorance, you must be the one to call them toward the light.”

From that day onward, Sarya never looked at education as a lonely journey. For her, it became a mission—a mission to inspire, uplift, and guide others toward the path of knowledge.

And thus, the girl who once thought of giving up became the reason an entire class shone with brilliance.