Bina entered her home in a rage and declared to her parents, “I won’t go to this school from tomorrow. Just find another school for me and get me admitted there.”

This was not the first time. Almost every other day, she would complain about her school.

“Mum, you don’t know how horrible the girls are there. The language they use is so abusive that if you heard it even once, you wouldn’t let me go back,” Bina told her mother at the dining table.

“But it’s not so easy to change schools. You have to continue studying at the same school. Your elder sister also studied here. If academics are not an issue, then you shouldn’t leave it,” her mother reasoned.

Listening to them, her aunt said, “Bina is right. The school environment does matter. One bad apple spoils the whole barrel. She might get spoilt by such girls. She should be moved to a better school.”

“The problem is not so big, my dear. I will talk to her class coordinator, and she will change her section. I have thoroughly investigated to see if there are any serious issues, but there aren’t any. Instead of wanting to change her school because of some girls she doesn’t get along with, she should focus on her studies,” mum explained.

Bina was a talented girl studying in grade six. Her progress was outstanding and she was admired by all her teachers. But because of a few girls, she was dissatisfied with her school.

Her mother presented the problem to Bina’s father. He decided to talk to his daughter himself.

“Bina, come here! Tell me, what is the problem with your school?” her father asked gently. Bina told him about the bad language some of her classmates used and the inappropriate topics they discussed.

“So, Bina, it is very reassuring that you can distinguish between good and bad. Look! This world is made up of both good and evil. It’s up to you to choose wisely. Acquiring bad habits is not wise. These dirty fishes are everywhere, polluting the whole pond. You should be the one who lights up the lamp.

“Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) flourished in darkness and spread the light of the holy book to the whole world, teaching what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes, people are not inherently bad; they might have a good nature, but lack proper guidance. If you are the guided one, you should be an influencer,” he explained.

Bina understood her father’s words. She decided to be effective, and not be influenced by evil. She decided to focus on her studies and be a positive influence on those around her. Instead of avoiding her classmates, she chose to treat them with kindness and set an example through her actions. n

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 29th, 2025