It is better to be alone than in bad company.

 

 

          Friends are an important part of everyone’s life. How many friends and which type of friends a person has, shows his personality and character, which is judged by society. A good company teaches us good habits but bad company leads us to the wrong path. We forget our morals and values to fit among our peers. My teachers, parents have always told me about it but I took it casually. Life taught me about the harm of bad company in a hard way.

          I was a new student in school. I had lived in Kolkata for the past ten years and I had shifted to New Delhi. A completely new city with a different culture and atmosphere. In the first semester of school, I didn’t make firm friendship with anyone. It was the first day of school after the winter break. Our class teacher announced that we will have to make a science project in a group. This was quite a shock for me as I hadn’t any friends and this project had marks associated with it. I was very stressed about this situation when a group of boys sitting behind called me. They asked me whether I would like to join them for the project. I immediately agreed as there was no other group willing to take me in their group.

          There were four boys in that group, Ravi, Akash, Sahil, and Farhan. I hadn’t talked to them in the past but this would be a great chance to make new friends. I started spending time with them due to project work and I even visited their colonies to chit-chat and play. The four would usually plan to go for movies, malls and parties. All these things were so new and tempting for me that I would lie to my parents and join the four in their plans. Months passed and the final exams were close. I had neglected my studies so much that now even if I study burning the midnight oil, I would surely fail. My parents had high expectations from me and now everything is gone.

           A day before the examination, Ravi told me to meet him at Rajiv chowk by 6 pm. I did so and saw the other three also present there. I was told to quietly follow them. We hailed a taxi and reached a bungalow. I had no idea what was going on so I just asked Ravi and he said that this is the principal’s bungalow and we have to steal tomorrow’s question paper. The principal goes for a walk until 7 pm every day. Before I could protest Farhan pushed me towards a small door at the back of the bungalow. Sahil ran towards the door and banged on it. The door flew open and the others pushed me inside. I tried to protest and request but they were determined. I went to the office room and searched for the papers. The principal, unfortunately, arrived early that day. The others ran away as soon as they got a chance. Before I could get away the principal entered the bungalow and caught me by my collar.

            The principal called up my parents and by the time they reached, I told the truth to the principal. I was in tears and felt very guilty when my parents reached. The principal was understanding and kind-hearted man. I wasn’t allowed to give the examination for the year whereas I could have got into deeper trouble. That day a learned an important lesson of my life, that we should be able to identify flatterers and fake friends. If we can’t do that then it is better to be alone than in bad company.