A Scout is Loyal

“What are you doing here inside the classroom when all the other kids are playing outside?” Mrs. Oplas asked John.

“My classmates’ things are in here, Maam, and the door lock is broken. If I leave the room open, some things might get lost,” John answered.

“That’s very nice of you, boy,” Mrs. Oplas smiled and continued on her way.

“John, let’s go the gym. Our friends are playing basketball. Let’s cheer for them,” Kathleen came, almost jumping with excitement.

“I’d love to, but I’ll just stay here with Precious. She has a fever,” John replied. “Also, she cannot see anything because she’s blind, so she will not really see what’s going on.”

“That’s okay, John, you don’t have to stay here with me,” Precious said. “I’ll just sleep. You should go with Kathleen and enjoy the game.”

“Don’t worry about it, Precious. I’d be happy to accompany you here. I want to read some story books anyway. I can do that while you sleep,” John patted Precious’ shoulder.

During the English Month, Kathleen joined a declamation contest. She practiced well but she didn’t know that she had to dress up for the event. When she started delivering her declamation piece, some parts of the audience booed. Kathleen stopped mid-sentence and looked like she was about to cry.

When John noticed what was happening, he stood and cheered “Kathleen! Kathleen! Keep going! You’re doing great!”

The audience heard him and joined in cheering “Kathleen! Kathleen!” She got on her feet and continued until she finished.

“Congratulations, Kath,” John ran to meet her at the exit.

“But I did not win,” Kathleen was surprised.

“It doesn’t matter. You did your best and we are proud of you,” he shook her hand.

She smiled. “Thank you John. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have finished my declamation piece,” she said to him.

The person-in-charge was reviewing the CCTV footage of the school grounds when he noticed a boy sitting among the bags of other children who were playing with each other. Just in time, Mrs. Oplas came in the office. The person-in-charge asked her, “Do you know this boy? I wonder what he’s doing among those bags… Wait, isn’t he the same boy who gave the loudest cheer during the declamation contest yesterday?”

Mrs. Oplas and the person-in-charge decided to invite John to the office.

“I was just watching their bags. I felt so bad when I lost my bag last year. I don’t want them to experience the same thing,” John explained.

“I saw what you did in the gym yesterday. And Precious told me that you stayed with her when she was sick. Why did you do that?” Mrs. Oplas asked.

Confidently John answered, “Ma’am, I am a Boy Scout. We have been taught to be loyal.”