"Shortcuts trade long-term gain for short-term relief."
Ali walked past the field where his friends were playing football "I can do it, I can do it," he said walking straight along while looking at them play the ball from the corner of his eyes. Immediately the field was out of sight he let out a sigh of relief.
"Yes, I did it," Ali was really happy about his accomplishment.
Ali was a natural footballer, he had a passion for it since a baby and was one of the best in the neighborhood. Even some teens were afraid of playing with 10-year-old Ali. Ali never saw a football match and walked past it. It was like an addiction for him.
Ali had a maths quiz on Monday and had to prepare for it that Sunday. This was hard for him because he always went to the field on Sundays to play with his friends.
Ali started his Sunday quite well. He made sure he got up early and was done with his chores so he could start his studying early. He was getting into it when his mom called for him sending him on an errand to get something for her from a friend's house. Ali was really worried and wished he didn't have to go, not because he was tired or anything but because to get to his destination he had to pass the football field and knew it would be hard for him to pass by just like that. Surprisingly for him, it wasn't that hard passing by without joining the ongoing match.
Ali hastened his step as he wanted to get back to continue his studies.
"Get your magic ring, the solution to all your exam problems," the salesman who now had Ali's full attention said.
Ali went straight to the stand.
"Yes, my boy do you need a magic ring?" The Conn man asked as he wavered the gold-coated ring in Ali's face.
Ali had a little doubt, a little voice in his head that told him he was about to make a big mistake. But he ignored it, "I am having an exam tomorrow and I haven't read, I wonder if this ring will be able to help me."
"Of course yes, just wear it when you want to write your exam and you will know all the answers," the man said smiling, happy that he had seen someone he could rip off money from.
"How much can I give you for it?" Ali asked
"I will let you have it for just a hundred dollars," the man said.
Ali didn't have that amount of money and was sad, "I don't have that kind of money,"
"Since you are my friend I will let you have it for a lower price if you could get 60 dollars then I would help you,"
Just then Ali remembered he had saved up 72 dollars and lightened up.
He beckoned on the man to be patient with him to go home and get the money then dashed off.
On reaching home he delivered what his mom sent him for and went into his room. He took a little box from under his bed and emptied it. He then counted 60 dollars from it and went out to get the ring.
His elder brother who saw him leaving again asked him where he was going and he said he was going to meet his friend. His elder brother reminded him that he said he needed to study for Monday's exam but Ali reassured him that he was going to ace the exam with all confidence.
He got to the man in a jiffy and purchased the ring. He was now relaxed and unbothered about the exam so he went straight to the field and joined his friends in playing football. He was so happy that he made sure to shine in the match scoring more than 5 goals.
When he got home from playing ball his brother reminded him again but he gave the same reply.
That night was the first night that Ali had a long and sound sleep before an exam.
The next day in school Ali boasted about how he was going to clear his exams to the extent that many of his classmates now wanted to sit together with him.
Time for the exam reached and everyone was seated as the teacher shared the question papers. There were different reactions to the exam in class some were nervous, but Ali was smiling throughout till he received his question paper. Ali looked at the question paper and read everything. He smiled and read the questions with joy as he used his finger to circle the magic ring on his other finger. Ali was done reading the questions but no answers were popping up in his mind. He was still calm and said maybe he needed to wait for some minutes for the magic to kick in. After some minutes and still no magic Ali was now sure that he was toast. He started sweating profusely as he changed the ring from one finger to another hoping it would make a difference.
The teacher took away the ring when he noticed Ali's attention was more on the ring. Just then Ali said to himself "I am done for."
The exam time was over and Ali submitted an empty answer sheet. Ali was so gloomy that he spoke to no one and went home straight after school. He passed where the man stayed to sell him the ring the previous day and the man was nowhere to be found. Ali got home that day not telling anyone what had happened. At night he went to bed and pondered the punishment he was going to face for trying to use a shortcut to get good grades. That incident taught Ali that truly there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
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