Sixty years ago, in our quaint school, there was a legend among us students. His name was Bhupinder, but we affectionately called him “Bhupi,” and he was a master of academic antics like no other.
Bhupi had an uncanny knack for cheating during tests and examinations. He could sneak small notes into his exam hall like a magician concealing a rabbit in a hat. No invigilator, no matter how vigilant, could catch him in the act. His ability to guess which questions would appear on the test was almost supernatural. He’d smuggle answer slips hidden in the most inconspicuous places – his clothes, his undergarments, and even his socks. It was as if he had a secret pact with the exam gods.
But Bhupi’s talents didn’t stop there. During regular classes, he was the embodiment of nonchalance. He’d sit at his desk, eyes wide open, but his mind was in dreamland. He’d doze off without a hint of drowsiness, so no teacher could accuse him of slumbering in class.
His cheating techniques were equally diverse. Sometimes, he’d slyly glance at the student sitting immediately in front or behind him, as if they were telepathically transmitting answers. Other times, his gaze would wander to a student on the side, as if he had X-ray vision to see through answer sheets.
However, Bhupi’s moment of fame (or infamy) came during a unit test in a particularly challenging subject. To everyone’s shock, Bhupi managed to score 40 out of 50 marks. The teacher, Mr. Sharma, couldn’t believe his eyes. He knew Bhupinder had never displayed any interest in studying, let alone excelling in exams. When asked about his good performance, Bhupi replied, “Sir I have been burning mid night oil at my home ( pure hard work).”
Determined to uncover the truth, Mr. Sharma decided to take matters into his own hands. The next day, he summoned Bhupi to the empty exam hall, instructing all the other students to leave. With a stern expression, he handed Bhupi a question paper.
Mr. Sharma was relentless. He kept a hawk-like watch over Bhupi as he meticulously answered the questions. After the test was completed and evaluated, Mr. Sharma’s eyes widened in sheer horror. Bhupi had scored 42 marks out of 50, two marks more than his previous attempt.
Exasperated and baffled, Mr. Sharma couldn’t contain himself any longer. He leaned toward Bhupi and asked, “Bhupinder, I won’t take any action against you, but please, for the sake of my sanity, tell me the truth. How did you do so well in this test? You never pay attention in class!”
Bhupi, with a cheeky grin, leaned in and whispered, “Sir, I cheated the first time, and I cheated this time too.”
The honesty of Bhupi’s confession was so unexpected that Mr. Sharma burst into laughter. He couldn’t stay mad at this audacious student. In a way, Bhupi’s unwavering commitment to his craft had won him notoriety, and a touch of admiration, in our school’s history.
Guchi.
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