The Story of the Lost Pen

In a small village, where children would run out to play in the open fields as soon as the evening fell, there lived a boy named Arsalan. Arsalan seemed like an ordinary child, but his dreams were big. He loved studying so much that whenever he found time, he would turn to books. He had a blue pen that his father had given him as a gift on Eid. While handing him the pen, his father had said: “Son! This pen is the key to your knowledge, always keep it safe.”

For Arsalan, that pen was not just a writing tool but a symbol of his hard work and dreams. With that very pen, he would write his lessons, prepare stories, and sometimes pour his dreams onto paper. But one day, during math class at school, when he opened his bag, his heart skipped a beat. The blue pen was missing. He searched his bag again and again, checked his pockets, but the pen was nowhere to be found. He thought to himself, “What will I tell father? And how will I write now?”

When the class ended, he asked his friends. Everyone denied, but one boy, Bilal, seemed a little nervous. Bilal was Arsalan’s classmate and often felt jealous of him. He thought that the teacher always praised Arsalan because he was hardworking. In his heart, Bilal believed that if Arsalan didn’t have his pen, he wouldn’t remain so prominent. With this thought, he had secretly slipped Arsalan’s pen into his own pocket.

The next day, Arsalan sat quietly and sadly. The teacher noticed and asked him the reason. Arsalan softly replied, “Sir, my pen is lost, the same pen that meant everything to me.” The teacher, with a gentle smile, said, “Son, losing a pen is not a big thing. The real thing is not to lose hard work. If you keep your courage, another pen can also make you successful. But remember, the one who snatches others’ belongings never finds peace.”

These words fell like heavy hammers on Bilal’s heart. He felt as if the teacher’s advice was directed straight at him. After school, he went to Arsalan. His eyes were filled with regret. He pulled the blue pen from his pocket and handed it to Arsalan, saying, “I had hidden this pen. I thought you always stay ahead of everyone, but now I realize that your success lies in your hard work, not in the pen. Please forgive me.”

Arsalan looked at him for a moment and then said softly, “If you truly want to become better, then give up jealousy and start working hard. I forgive you, but promise me you will never do this again.” Tears welled up in Bilal’s eyes. He lowered his head and said, “I promise.”

From that day onward, Bilal’s life changed. He began studying with Arsalan. Whenever he faced difficulties, Arsalan helped him. Gradually, Bilal also became a good and hardworking student. On the other hand, Arsalan realized that the real power does not lie in the pen, but in intention and effort. Even if the pen is lost, the light of knowledge remains alive in the heart and mind.

Grandfather often used to say, “Son! Jealousy is a fire that burns a person from within. Instead of bringing others down, try to lift yourself up.” And grandmother’s advice was, “Hard work and honesty are the light that shows the way even in darkness. Always move forward with sincerity, this is the true success.”

This story of the lost pen teaches us that jealousy weakens a person, while hard work and honesty elevate him. Snatching others’ belongings never brings peace, but true effort brightens both the heart and the future.

Author’s Note:

I wrote this story to teach children that pens and books are the ornaments of knowledge.