“Shravu, go to sleep! You will be late for school” shouted his mother but Shravan was busy playing on cell phone. His dad had bought a new Tablet last week and ever since then, twelve year old Shravan had been glued to it. From the time he woke up, till he fell asleep, all he did was play on the tab! His mom had tried telling him the ill effects of using cell phone for long hours. She even told him how using it all the time would make his thinking and eye sight weak, but he never listened. “You won’t be able to concentrate son” she told. But he would shrug off his mother’s scolding and go back to his game. Oh how he loved playing games! Making him put down the Tab was a Herculean task for his mother.
Class tests were announced in school, but Shravan had no interest in them. He didn’t inform his mother about the tests for he knew she would pester him about studying for them. Oh why would he read those boring books when the little creatures in the game were much more exciting! Running in the jungle, shooting the angry birds and the talking friends, it was all he could ask for. So he hid the notice about the tests from his mother.
Finally the day of test came. Question paper in hand, he didn’t know what to write! He looked around and saw all his friends writing away with their heads bent. No one was sitting idle except for him. He tried to look at what the girl sitting next to him was writing but the girl just turned away and covered her answers with her free hand. He felt helpless. He was quiet when he reached home that day. His mom was surprised but he said nothing. The next day when the results were announced, everyone except him had passed. The teacher looked at him and said “I am afraid you will have to repeat the same grade again.” He watched as all his friends were promoted to a new class and his eyes filled up. His best friend left too, without even looking back.
Shravan felt bad. He realized his mistake. His mother was right all along. Playing all the time had certainly made him loose focus and now he was paying for it.
“Shravu” he heard his mom calling. He was scared. He didn’t know what to tell her. Tears started rolling down his cheeks.
“Shravu, get up! You will be late for school if you don’t wake up right now! I told you to not play so late into the night, but you never listen to me!” she said. Shravan woke up with a jerk.
He looked around and saw he was still in his room. “Oh! It was just a dream!” he sighed. “You know what Mumma, from now on, I will not keep playing on the cell phone all the time. I will pay attention to my studies and will always listen to you.” he said. His mother was confused and wondered what had brought about such a change overnight. Nevertheless, she was very happy!
