It was 10 o’clock at night. Gattu and Chinki were still studying, and neither of them could handle the pressure of the upcoming exams.
“Gattu, I am unable to solve this sum — 833 plus 144. It is literally scaring me,” Chinki said anxiously.
“It is scaring me too. I have a feeling this question will definitely appear in the paper. Teachers always know which questions will trouble everyone,” Gattu replied.
“Come on, Gattu, let’s concentrate. The maths exam is tomorrow. If we don’t get good marks, Papa will definitely scold us badly. Remember the scolding we got last time? I have not forgotten it.”
Chinki decided to call Kutti, the class topper. “Hello? So late at night? Kutti, please help! How do you solve these sums? These are three-digit numbers and I am getting confused.”
“Oh, it is simple,” Kutti explained patiently. “Start addition from the last digit — the ones, then the tens, and finally the hundreds.”
“Oh okay… I did not understand it at all earlier. What is there to understand? It just takes practice. Okay, bye! Good night. See you at school tomorrow.”
Just then, Mummy entered the room. “Still awake? How much of the syllabus is done?”
“Mummy, revision is going on,” said Gattu.
“Revision and tension! You kept playing for so many days, and now on the last night, you expect to remember everything?”
Hearing Mummy’s voice, Papa also came into the room. “Kids, an exam is not a surprise party. Planning is done in advance.”
“Papa, there is just a little bit left,” Gattu said quietly.
“A little bit or the entire thing?” Papa raised an eyebrow. “Alright, study for another thirty minutes, then go to sleep. A tired mind does not retain anything.”
The next morning, Gattu and Chinki were having breakfast at the dining table. Mummy placed a bowl in front of them. “Kids, have some curd and sugar for good luck!”
“We really need that good luck right now, Mummy. Yes, give us some!”
After eating their good luck breakfast, they headed off to school.
Outside the exam hall, the two checked in with each other nervously. “ID card?” “Yes.” “Pen?” “Yes.” “Geometry box?” Gattu froze. “Geometry box… geometry box… oh no! I forgot it at home!”
“What? How will you use the compass then?”
“I will have to draw the circle with a pencil now.”
“This isn’t a drawing class, Gattu!”
The bell rang, and they entered the classroom. The teacher walked in, and the entire class fell silent. The teacher noticed Gattu standing frozen near the door. “Gattu, why are you standing like the Statue of Liberty?”
“Ma’am, I forgot the geometry box.”
“On exam day? Very careless. Fine, share your neighbour’s box, but both of you use it quietly.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Thank you, Ma’am.”
During the exam, Monty, sitting at the back bench, kept whispering to Chinki for answers. She completely ignored him. But the teacher caught Monty red-handed and sent him outside to kneel down. His constant disturbance had already caused Chinki to lose precious time. With five questions remaining and one hour left, she pushed herself to write faster. But the bell rang too soon.
“Time’s up! Stop writing. Pens down.”
When Gattu and Chinki came home after the exam, Papa asked, “So kids, how was the paper?”
“It was fine, but I made a careless mistake and missed one question because Monty kept disturbing me. And Papa… I forgot the geometry box.”
Papa sat them down calmly. “Kids, you will always find a Monty in this world. Distractions are everywhere. Preparation is not just about studying — it is about planning too. Pack your bags the night before. In the exam hall, read the entire paper first, then tackle the easy questions before the difficult ones.”
“We understand, Papa,” they both said. “Before the next exam, we will make a proper timetable and pack everything in advance.”
Papa smiled. “That is all I ask. Now come, have your dinner in peace. Remember — focus, discipline, and planning ease all pressure. Stay prepared, and you will handle every challenge life throws at you.”
And so, Gattu and Chinki learned a valuable life lesson that day.