This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
It was a typical Thursday morning at our primary school, with the sun shining bright and the air filled with the sound of children's laughter. But for me and my friends, it was a day that would be etched in our memories forever.
Our headmaster, Mr. Kangethe, was a man known for his strictness, and we had earned him the nickname 'Kimoda' for his ability to make us feel like we were in a boxing ring. He would often remind us of the phrase 'Spare the rod and spoil the child,' and we knew that one misstep could lead to a painful caning.
On this particular day, we were in Mrs. Bundi's Home Science class, and we were determined to avoid doing any of the practical tasks. Difre, one of my friends, had come up with a clever plan to ask the teacher for permission to go to the toilet, only to hide in the school farm section until the lesson was over. But, as we often say, 'the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.'
As we sat in class, waiting for Mrs. Bundi to arrive, I had managed to sneak back and steal Susan's sleeveless top, planning to place it on my desk and pretend it was mine. But, in my haste, I had forgotten to remove the initials of her name, which were sewn under the armpit. It was a small mistake, but one that would have far-reaching consequences.
When Mrs. Bundi arrived, she noticed that Susan was crying and asked her what was wrong. Susan explained that someone had stolen her sleeveless top, and Mrs. Bundi, not one to be trifled with, ordered us to place all our sleeveless tops on top of our lockers. It was then that I realized my mistake, and I placed the top on my desk, forgetting to remove the initials.
It was a moment of pure panic, and I knew I was doomed. Mrs. Bundi ordered me to go kneel outside, and I was joined by Difre and Kamos, who had also been caught out by their lack of a sleeveless top. Kimoda, our headmaster, found us there and caned us a good one, leaving us to wonder why we had ever thought we could outsmart the system.
As I look back on that day, I realize that it was a valuable lesson in the importance of following rules and respecting the authority of our teachers. It was a humbling experience, one that taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and obedience.
