The Pencil That Wanted a Degree

Once upon a time, in a dusty old stationery shop at the corner of Knowledge Lane, lived a pencil named Perry. Perry wasn’t just any pencil—he was ambitious. While other pencils were content with doodles and grocery lists, Perry wanted something bigger.

“I want to get a degree,” he announced one day to the erasers and sharpeners in his drawer.

The erasers snickered. “You’re a pencil, Perry. You help others get degrees. You don’t get one yourself!”

But Perry didn’t listen. He dreamed of college: lectures, exams, libraries full of books. He wanted to know everything—math, history, even quantum physics. He wanted his graphite to mean something!

One fateful morning, the shopkeeper sold Perry to a curious young boy named Sami, who was starting 5th grade. Perry saw this as his chance.

As Sami placed Perry in his pencil case, Perry whispered, “Let’s go get that degree, partner.”


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The School Adventures Begin

Perry quickly learned that school was not as glamorous as he thought. There were long hours of writing, constant sharpening, and worst of all—Sami loved to chew on him when he got nervous.

One day during math class, Perry snapped under pressure—literally. Sami had been chewing his end while trying to solve a word problem, and Perry split in half.

“Ouch! Not again!” Perry groaned.

The class laughed as Sami raised his hand, asking the teacher for a new pencil.

That night, Perry was heartbroken. “How can I earn a degree when I can’t even survive math class?”

But then, he heard something that made his eraser tingle. Sami’s mother was encouraging him.

“Don’t worry, Sami. You’ll get better. Every mistake helps you learn.”

Those words reignited Perry’s spirit. Maybe his journey wasn’t about being perfect—it was about helping someone learn through mistakes.


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A New Mission

From that day, Perry saw himself as more than a pencil. He became Sami’s silent guide. When Sami struggled with writing an essay, Perry helped shape the letters carefully, correcting errors again and again until Sami got an A+.

In history class, Perry helped Sami outline timelines, underline key events, and even draw funny doodles of ancient kings wearing sunglasses.

Through all the classes—science, math, Urdu, English—Perry stuck with him. Even when he became a stubby little piece too short for the sharpener, Perry gave his all.

“I may be short,” he said, “but I’ve helped write success!”


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Graduation Day

Years passed. Perry spent time in a pencil box, then a drawer, and finally in an old memory box under Sami’s bed. He was nearly forgotten—until one day, the box opened, and grown-up Sami pulled him out.

Perry couldn’t believe his eyes. Sami was wearing a graduation gown and holding a degree!

“You did it, kid,” Perry whispered.

Sami smiled, turning the old pencil in his hand. “This pencil helped me through every exam, every paper, every idea. I wouldn't be here without it.”

Then, Sami placed Perry on his desk, right next to his framed degree.


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A Legacy of Graphite and Grit

Perry didn’t get his own degree—but he realized something deeper. He was part of something bigger. His lines, his mistakes, his efforts—were all etched into Sami’s journey. And that made him prouder than any certificate.

From that day on, Perry rested happily, knowing he had fulfilled his dream—not by earning a degree himself, but by helping one get earned.


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Moral of the Story:

> Even the smallest tool can play a big role in someone’s success. True achievement is often found in helping others grow, even if your name isn’t on the diploma.

Moral of Story:
Honesty might get you in trouble—but creativity can turn a mistake into a lesson (and maybe even a good laugh).

Moral of Story:
Taking responsibility is better than making excuses—honesty (even with teeth marks) always wins in the end.

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