It was a cool Monday morning. After the assembly, every student settled in their various classes. I was in J.S.S 3 (Junior Secondary School). We were about 30 in my class. Everyone was ready to receive the morning lecture. We just had cake to start the morning lecture. I was rearranging my textbooks in my bag when I noticed two of my classmates, who are also my friends, making faces at each other. They sat close to each other while facing the board. I pretended not to see them, so I continued with my book arrangements. Instead of interfering, I took my time to watch closely to know what was really going on. Our math teacher entered the classroom. His name is Mr. Dada. 'Good morning, youngsters,' he greeted. 'Good morning, sir. You're welcome to our classroom. God bless you, sir. Amen.' We all rose to respond. That's how we treat all our teachers and visitors with respect by welcoming them warmly. Grace and Ruth were still in the mood to fight. They could barely greet the teacher.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, said Mr. Dada. Firstly, we will commence by revising our topic from last week, which is Algebra Fractions. I believe you've all gone through your textbooks and solved some of these questions, he asked. Yes, sir, we chorused in response.
As he turned around to write on the board, we heard loud noises from the back. Mr. Dada turned back immediately. He noticed Grace and Ruth dragging something from one another. "Hey, you there!" the teacher pointed at Grace and beckoned her to come closer. I thought he didn't notice that there were two people in the fight. "What are you guys discussing over there?" asked Mr. Dada. "Nothing, sir," Grace responded, frowning. "Are you sure?" he asked again. "Yes, uncle, nothing happened," said Grace. "Okay, you may go back to your seat," Mr. Dada said curiously. In no time, the argument escalated into a fight, and the two began pulling clothes at each other. I said it, something is definitely going on, Mr. Dada said worriedly. "You two, come here now! He shouted angrily. The two were still holding a piece of something I don't know, but it's inside a black leather bag, which makes it invisible. "What's that in your hand?" Mr. Dada asked. "Nothing, sir," both resounded. Moreover, our teacher didn't ask further but took the substance forcefully from both hands and forced them to kneel on the floor. He also asked the class governor to get a cane for him as soon as possible. Upon hearing that, Grace and Ruth began to beg Uncle Dada. Then, without asking them what was in the leather, Grace was the first to speak up. "Uncle, it wasn't me; it was Grace who took the principal's purse when it fell down upon alighting from his car this morning. I told her to return it, but she refused; that's why I was dragging it with her," she explained. "That's a lie! Do you think you can let the cat out of the bag and go scot-free? Uncle, we saw the wallet together; we also wrapped it up in a black leather too. Though I took it, we agreed to share."
That's a lie. You think you can let the cat out of the bag and go scot-free? Uncle, we saw the wallet together, and we also wrapped it up in a black leather case. Though I took it, we agreed to share the money inside it equally after we closed from school. But Grace said she would take more than me; that's why I was trying to steal the wallet from her. She caught me, and we began to drag it. That's when you caught us, sir. Ruth also explained. "Haa!!!" the whole class chorused in unison. There, I shouted in disappointment because these two thieves are also my friends. I felt so ashamed to call them my friends. Moreover, Mr. Dada took them away into the principal's office, and the matter was settled there. The truth was that they both took the wallet at the same time, but one was not ready to release it to the other. I wondered who's been stealing the lost markers and pen in the classroom.
The funniest part is that no money was inside the wallet, but a single past question paper that Mr. Principal had folded into several sizes to fit his wallet. I couldn't help but laugh.
Later, after closing hour, both grace and Ruth began to rain abuses on one another and more secret were exposed. Grace and Ruth are thieves, i concluded. They had stolen most things lost inside the classroom to the extent of stealing food from our classmates lunch box and even money whenever we are out for break. So unbelievable.