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‘No! no! Let us all bite him and let him see how it feels to be chewed!’ This, obviously was
Mr Pencil Box. He became so agitated that he once again opened himself and spilled
some more pencil shavings on the floor!

‘I suggest dragging him around the courtroom a dozen times will be a good punishment,’
said Mr School Bag.

‘Why don’t we all jump on him together till he yells for mercy?’ exclaimed
Mr Geography, rubbing his hands in anticipation.

This appealed to all of them and even Justice
Mathematics got up from his chair to join the gang!

Menacingly they all advanced towards Manu, who
looked around frantically for somewhere to run to,
somewhere to hide... Nothing! There was no place to run
to!

The mob was almost upon him when a soft voice rose
above the frightening silence, ‘I say, stop it! Please, do

stop!’
Amazed, everybody turned around, even Manu opened
his eyes a crack which he had shut in fright.

Then, the petite Ms English rose from her seat and spoke

to Justice Mathematics in a firm voice, ‘I don’t mean to
interrupt, Your Honour, it is just that I feel that everyone
deserves a second chance and, after all, this is Manu’s
first offence, he deserves a little consideration.’

Manu looked at her in admiration, he could have hugged
her! She was the one who had been treated most shamefully by him and look at her!
Standing so staunchly by him!

The others too saw reason and slowly backed off, agreeing to give Manu a second chance.

‘Manu, see that you never ill-treat a book again!’ was Justice Mathematics’ parting shot.

‘Manu! Manu!’ a hand started to shake him and he jumped. Had the others changed their
minds about not punishing him?
‘Oh! Manu, do get up. You will be late for agitated: feeling troubled

school!’ anticipation: expectation
menacingly: threateningly, in a way that suggests
Slowly Manu opened his eyes. Why! danger
He was in his bed! Yes! There was the frantically: in a panic-stricken manner
petite: small and dainty
battered bag on the floor, the books, half staunchly: in a sincere and committed manner
backed off: stopped threatening, criticising or annoying
on the floor and others stuffed in the bag.

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