Episode 3
Characters: (Kattu; Lallu; Principal)
Kattu and Lallu were heading to school early in the morning.
(The path they usually took was unpaved, and most people used bicycles to travel.)
The boys were walking gloomily when suddenly, a man came rushing toward them on a bicycle. A few feet ahead, he lost his balance and fell along with his cycle.
Both Kattu and Lallu ran toward the man and helped him up. Once he was steady, Lallu asked,
"Uncle, where were you going in such a hurry on your bike?"
Man: "Oh, my buffalo ran off! I was chasing it and ended up falling."
(Kattu and Lallu picked up the bicycle together.)
Kattu said, "Uncle, we have to go to school now, we're really late."
Both of them raised their hands:
"Goodbye, uncle."
Man: "Goodbye, kids."
They reached school, but the morning assembly had already finished. All the students were in their classrooms. Kattu and Lallu quietly tiptoed toward their class when suddenly, they felt a hand on their shoulders.
Startled, they turned around and saw their principal standing behind them.
Terrified, they both let out a small scream.
Principal: "Quiet, you rascals! Not only are you late to school, but now you're screaming too?"
"You both seem to have forgotten the school rules. You're going to be punished — both of you, into the rooster pose!"
Kattu and Lallu, trembling, spoke together, "B-but sir, we were just helping someone, that's why we're late…"
Principal: "Quiet! I don't want to hear any excuses. Now do as I say!"
With their heads down, the boys assumed the punishment pose outside their classroom.
Lallu whispered, "Kattu, we didn't even do anything wrong, and yet we're being punished like this."
Kattu replied, "You're absolutely right, my friend."
Lallu: "That's it! I'll never help anyone again."
Kattu: "Why are you getting so emotional? My mother always says that we should help everyone — whether it's a human or an animal. Allah is pleased with those who help others, and He rewards them, both in this world and the hereafter."
Lallu: "Then why didn't Allah help us? Instead, we got punished by the principal."
Kattu: "Be patient, my friend. Allah will help us, you'll see."
Then Kattu paused and said with a spark in his eyes:
"Friend, I've got a brilliant idea! We can teach the principal a lesson and prove that we were telling the truth."
Lallu: "Wow, tell me too!"
Kattu: "Come closer, I'll whisper it to you."
(Kattu whispered something in Lallu's ear that made him beam with joy.)
Lallu: "You're a genius, my friend — in everything except studying!"
(A little while later, they were allowed into the class by their teacher.
After a few hours, the school day ended, and both boys went home.
The day passed, night fell, everyone went to sleep, and soon morning arrived.)
Kattu woke up bright and early, full of energy, and quickly got ready for school.
He entered the room, greeted his grandparents with a smile, and sat down cheerfully with his father.
"Good morning, Abba! How are you?"
Father, surprised: "I'm fine, son. Are you alright though?"
Kattu: "Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"
The father, mumbling to himself happily: "Looks like my scolding yesterday really worked."
"Good, good."
Kattu: "Did you say something, Abba?"
Just then, Kattu's mother brought him a warm paratha.
Father: "Nothing, son. You eat your paratha."
Kattu took a few bites when Lallu called out from outside:
"Kattu! I'm here!"
Kattu, with a bite in his mouth and the paratha still in hand, got up.
Mother: "At least finish your breakfast!"
Kattu: "No, Ammi. I'll eat it on the way — we're running late!"
He slung his bag over his shoulder and ran toward the door.
Outside, Lallu was waiting.
Kattu: "Why didn't you come inside?"
Lallu: "You told me not to! You said if I come in, we'll be late again."
Kattu: "Oh, right! But you usually don't get up unless you've had two or three parathas."
Lallu: "Those delicious parathas made by your mother, dripping with desi ghee… just thinking about them makes my mouth water!"
Kattu, holding out the paratha: "Here, have one."
Lallu, happily taking it: "Thank you, my friend!"
Kattu: "Let's go!"
(The two friends reached the road where the principal usually passed by on his bike every morning.
They knew the exact time he came, so they hid behind some bushes at a spot from where they could easily see him approaching.)
A few moments later…
Lallu: "Hey, Kattu — look! Is that him?"
Kattu: "Yep, that's the one. Quick, let's scatter pebbles on the road."
(The boys quickly spread pebbles across the path and walked away, pretending they had just arrived.)
When the principal passed by them, he smiled and said:
"Oh, you boys are early today! Well done."
And then he sped off — only to fall off his bike a few meters ahead.
"Ouch! That hurt!"
Kattu and Lallu burst into laughter.
Principal: "You little rascals! Come here and help me!"
The boys replied, "Yes sir!" and ran to help him up.
When they all reached the school gate, the principal stopped and said,
"I'll go in first. You two wait here and come in after a few minutes."
Kattu and Lallu: "But sir…"
Principal, holding his bike with one hand and rubbing his backside with the other:
"Just do as I say!"
The boys stood with their heads down, holding back laughter.
The principal went in, and after waiting a bit, the boys entered the school.
Just like yesterday, the assembly was already over.
As they approached their classroom, their teacher stopped them.
"You two are late again. Come on, assume the rooster pose!"
Just then, the principal arrived and said:
"Let them go. Let them take their seats."
Teacher: "But sir, they're late again today!"
Principal: "It's fine."
Teacher: "Alright, go inside and take your seats."
The principal walked off with his hands behind his back, and Kattu and Lallu looked at each other and smiled mischievously.
Teacher: "Quiet!"
During break, the children played while Kattu and Lallu sat under a tree.
Kattu said, "See, my friend — Allah did help us."
Lallu: "How did Allah help us? We did it all ourselves!"
Kattu: "Allah gave us our brains. If I hadn't had that idea, we wouldn't have proven ourselves to the principal."
Lallu: "You're right, my friend. Now I understand — our greatest helper is Allah. From now on, I'll ask Him for help in everything."
Kattu, smiling: "Me too."
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We hope you enjoyed this episode and learned something valuable.
Episode 4 will be published very soon, Insha'Allah.
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