In a vibrant town in Ghana called Sunyani, two friends, Joyce and Alis, lived right next to each other. They were inseparable, sharing laughter, secrets, and dreams beneath the large baobab tree near their homes.
Both attended Sunyani Junior High School and were in the same Grade 9 class. However, despite their close friendship, their personalities were strikingly different.
Joyce was the type of student every teacher dreams of having.
She woke up early to help her mother prepare kelewele (spicy fried plantains) for sale before heading to school.
After finishing her chores, she would go straight to class with her books neatly organized in her bag.
She had a passion for reading, especially stories about Ghanaian heroes like Yaa Asantewaa.
Joyce was always respectful, greeting everyone she encountered, regardless of their age.
She never missed an assignment and was always willing to assist her classmates who found the material challenging. She often reminded Alis, “Education is the key to success. Let’s take our studies seriously!”
In contrast, Alis was a free spirit. She didn’t see the value in hard work. While Joyce was busy studying late into the night, Alis spent her evenings chatting with boys at the local football pitch or scrolling through her phone.
She would often say, “Life is short, Joyce. Enjoy it while you can!”
However, her teachers frequently cautioned her: “Alis, you’re smart, but your habits will catch up with you.”
As the final term exams approached, Joyce was immersed in her studies.
She created a study timetable and adhered to it diligently. Meanwhile, Alis dismissed the idea of preparing for exams. “Exams are overrated. I’ll just copy from someone,” she told Joyce one afternoon. Joyce frowned but chose not to argue.
On the day of the exam, Joyce answered every question with confidence. In contrast, Alis struggled to grasp the instructions.
She attempted to sneak a glance at a classmate’s answers but was caught by the invigilator. The entire class gasped as Alis was escorted to the principal’s office.
When the results came out, Joyce achieved the highest marks in the class.
The principal praised her as a role model and awarded her a scholarship to one of Ghana’s top senior high schools. Her parents and teachers beamed with pride, and Joyce’s smile could brighten the entire town.
Alis, on the other hand, failed spectacularly. Her parents were furious and grounded her. To make matters worse, the boys she had spent all her time with vanished just when she needed support.
Alis felt isolated and ashamed. She watched as Joyce packed her belongings for boarding school and realized she had squandered valuable time.
One evening, Alis knocked on Joyce’s door. With tears streaming down her face, she said, “I messed up, Joyce. Please help me turn my life around.” Joyce embraced her and replied, “It’s never too late to change, Alis. But you have to be willing to put in the effort.”
Joyce began tutoring Alis during the holidays. It was challenging, but Alis was resolute. Gradually, she improved and even passed her next exams. Although she didn’t receive a scholarship like Joyce, she was accepted into a respectable senior high school.
The Lesson
The two friends took different paths, but their story became a valuable lesson for everyone in Sunyani. Hard work and wise choices lead to success, while laziness and poor habits result in regret.
Questions
Who were the main characters in the story, and what were their differences?
What made Joyce a role model for her classmates?
How did Alis spend her time instead of studying?
What happened when Alis tried to cheat during the exams?
What lesson does the story teach about hard work and choices?
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