Have you read chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, Chapter 4, chapter 5, chapter 6
Table of Contents
Something Fishy
Two weeks have already flown by, and tomorrow marks my return to school as my suspension comes to an end. These past two weeks have been incredibly eventful, almost miraculous. People around me have started calling me a “good boy,” and my former nickname, “naughty boy,” seems to have faded from everyone’s memory. But the real miracle is that I’m genuinely enjoying this change in myself. I’ve developed a fondness for this new version of me, embracing the joy of doing good deeds. I’ve successfully completed 60 such deeds, and it fills me with immense pride.
Rebecca and I have become constant playmates, and to my delight, I’ve even managed to win against her twice. She’s been a great teacher, sharing many gaming hacks with me. Now, I can give her a run for her money in any game. My parents are brimming with pride, having officially classified me as a “good boy.” However, Max, my brother, can’t help feeling a tad jealous as Mom showers me with praise.
During a family dinner, Max couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked, “How did you change so suddenly?”
I responded with a smile.
Max persisted, “There’s something fishy going on.”
I continued smiling, avoiding eye contact.
Max remarked, “See, he won’t even look at my face. Something’s definitely fishy.”
Mom jumped to my defense, “What’s fishy, Max? People can change in an instant.”
I gave my mom an appreciative smile and chimed in, “I decided to become a good boy. I was tired of being a naughty boy,” all while maintaining eye contact with Max.
Max, however, noticed a new ring on my finger and inquired, “What’s that new ring on your finger?”
“It’s mine,” I casually replied.
Max’s curiosity got the better of him, and he prodded, “Where did you get it from?”
I deflected, “Why do you want to know?”
He insisted, “Tell me, whose ring is this?”
I finally gave in, admitting, “It belongs to a friend.”
Max pressed further, “Which friend?”
This time, I chose silence, declining to answer.
Max threatened, “Something is fishy, and I will take that ring from you,” as he brazenly swiped a piece of chicken from my plate. In the past, the old me would have reacted aggressively to such actions. But this new and improved Leo had a different approach.
I calmly informed Mom, “Mom, look at Max. He’s trying to provoke me, and he just took a piece of chicken from my plate.”
In response, Mom unleashed her sternest look, her widened eyes silently conveying a world of reprimands to Max. He immediately lowered his gaze and focused on finishing his meal in silence. Meanwhile, I quietly celebrated my victory as Mom added two more chicken pieces to my plate. This new way of handling situations was proving to be quite rewarding.
Yet, a sense of fear began to creep into my heart. What if Max attempted to steal my ring? What would happen if he succeeded? Panic washed over me as I pondered what to do next.
When we get angry and act aggressively, things usually don’t turn out well. But if we stay calm and handle the situation with a clear mind, things are more likely to go our way.
Arham’s Challenge
“Leo, you have school today,” my mom gently woke me up in the morning.
I opened my eyes, and the thought of going back to school after a two-week break filled me with a hint of excitement.
“Leo, you’re running late, get up quickly,” Max’s voice reached my ears. I glanced at my finger to ensure the ring was still there, and thankfully, it was securely on my finger.
Within 30 minutes, I found myself at school, and to my surprise, I was greeted by the same fat boy, Arham, who had caused my suspension. I tried to ignore him and make my way to class.
However, he called out my name, “Leo, wait,” and hurried towards me. I quickened my pace towards my classroom, for some reason, I didn’t want to engage with him, fearing he might cause trouble again.
He managed to catch up, and with a panting breath, he said, “St…stop…” as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
“My class is about to start,” I replied.
“Why did you run when you saw me? Are you scared of me, Leo? Is Leo afraid of me?” he taunted me. He bullied other students, but I had always stood up to him, so he had never successfully bullied me.
“Leo is scared of me! Leo is scared of me! Leo is scared of me!” he sang mockingly, popping a piece of chewing gum into his mouth.
“Why should I be scared of you?” I retorted in frustration.
“You are!”
“No.”
“You are.”
“No, Arham,” I said firmly, clenching my fists.
He seemed determined to test my patience.
“I’ve decided to become a good boy,” I admitted.
He burst into uncontrollable laughter, drawing the attention of passing students who stared at us. I walked away and could still hear him shouting, “Leo, stop.”
I hurried to the restroom to escape his mockery.
He followed me inside, saying, “This is for you,” and stuck the chewing gum on my face, repeating the same mistake that had gotten us both suspended. I wanted to punch him in the nose, but the promise of my ring and its 60 deeds held me back.
Arham was pushing my buttons relentlessly. I removed the gum from my face and washed it off without saying a word or resorting to violence.
He looked utterly astonished. “Did you really become a good boy?” His eyes widened in disbelief.
I nodded, “Yes, I’ve become a good boy. I even keep a book of good deeds to keep track of all the good things I do.”
“What good deeds did you do yesterday?” he inquired.
“I helped my dad organize his files, assisted my mom with watering the plants, and shared my colored pencils with my brother, among other things,” I replied.
“But I want the old Leo who used to stand up to me,” he said.
“Meet the new Leo, the good boy Leo,” I introduced myself theatrically.
“I’ll turn this good boy Leo back into the old Leo in a week. Consider it Arham’s challenge,” he declared and playfully splashed water on my face. I could feel a headache coming on because of him. I knew him well; when he took on a challenge, he would stop at nothing to win. He wasn’t easy to handle, but that was okay. Let’s see where this journey would take us.
When we decide to change our habits or behavior, we often encounter numerous obstacles. However, with determination, we can overcome anything. It’s not an easy path, but it’s worth the effort for a better life.
7 valuable lessons about handling bullies, sibling relationships, and accepting challenges
- The Power of Positive Change: Leo’s transformation from a “naughty boy” to a “good boy” demonstrates that positive change is possible, even when faced with past behavioral issues. This change is not only achievable but also enjoyable.
- Self-Improvement: Leo’s commitment to doing good deeds showcases the importance of self-improvement. Keeping track of these deeds in a book not only helps him stay accountable but also reinforces his commitment.
- Handling Bullies: Leo’s newfound approach to dealing with bullies, like Arham, is a valuable lesson. Instead of reacting aggressively, he remains calm and seeks support from authority figures, demonstrating that handling bullies can be achieved through peaceful means.
- Supportive Family: Leo’s family, particularly his parents, play a crucial role in supporting his transformation. Their encouragement and belief in his ability to change are evident in the story.
- Resilience: Leo’s determination to maintain his positive changes, even when faced with challenges, reflects the importance of resilience. It’s normal to encounter obstacles when trying to change, but perseverance is key.
- Sibling Relationships: Leo’s relationship with Max illustrates the dynamics between siblings. Sibling rivalry and jealousy can occur, but it’s possible to address these issues through communication and understanding.
- Accepting Challenges: Arham’s challenge to revert Leo to his old ways teaches us that challenges are opportunities for growth. Leo’s determination to maintain his newfound goodness showcases his strength of character.
Overall, the story emphasizes that positive change is possible through determination, self-improvement, and the support of loved ones. It also highlights the importance of resilience and effective communication when facing challenges and conflicts.
3 new words
Reprimands (Noun):
- Meaning: Reprimands are expressions of disapproval or criticism given to someone for their actions or behavior.
- Examples:
- The coach delivered reprimands to the players for their lack of teamwork.
- She received reprimands from her boss for consistently missing deadlines.
- Examples:
Taunted (Verb):
- Meaning: Taunted means to provoke or tease someone by making fun of them or challenging them in a mocking or insulting way.
- Examples:
- The bullies taunted him relentlessly, making his school life miserable.
- She couldn’t resist taunting her brother when she beat him in chess.
- Examples:
Relentlessly (Adverb):
- Meaning: Relentlessly means in an unceasingly intense or persistent manner, without giving up or stopping.
- Examples:
- He pursued his dream of becoming a musician relentlessly, practicing day and night.
- The journalist worked relentlessly to uncover the truth behind the scandal.
- Examples:
Fun Exercises
Certainly! Here are some engaging exercises for kids that can be featured in the blog:
- Word Scramble (From the Writer’s Perspective): Let’s challenge your word-solving skills! Unscramble these words from the story and discover their correct spellings:
- noopissus
- dnsamirerpe
- yiurctiios
- vekproo
- ntessylertenl
- Fill in the Blanks (From the Writer’s Perspective): It’s time to complete the sentences from the story with the missing words. Can you remember them all?
- “When we get angry and act aggressively, things usually don’t turn out ________.”
- “Leo’s mom added two more ________ pieces to his plate.”
- “Arham playfully splashed ________ on Leo’s face.”
- True or False (From the Writer’s Perspective): Let’s check your understanding of the story with these true or false statements:
- “Leo won against Rebecca twice.” (True/False)
- “Max reacted aggressively to Leo’s calm response.” (True/False)
- “Arham wants the old Leo back.” (True/False)
- Personal Growth Challenge (From the Writer’s Perspective): Here’s a fun challenge for you: Write down three things you can do today to become an even better version of yourself. Don’t forget to share your goals with your friends or family members for extra motivation!
- Discussion Questions (From the Writer’s Perspective): Let’s dive into some thoughtful discussions:
- What do you think inspired Leo to change his behavior?
- How do you think Leo handled Max’s attempts to provoke him?
- Do you believe keeping track of good deeds, like Leo’s good deeds book, is important? Why or why not?
- Vocabulary Builder (From the Writer’s Perspective): Time to expand your vocabulary! Choose three new words from the story and write down their definitions in your own words. For example, “reprimand,” “taunt,” and “miraculous.”
These exercises are designed to make reading fun and educational. Enjoy solving word puzzles, reflecting on the story’s themes, and enhancing your vocabulary!