It was a Monday morning at school. The classroom was lovely and quite well decorated, it seemed like a perfect place to learn and have fun, but the students were at their desks watching with worried faces the dreaded Professor Roger, known for his airs of superiority and his impossible exams.
Today was no exception. The teacher strolled around with a malevolent smile while handing out sheets full of absurd questions. “Define the exact number of stars visible from the southern hemisphere in winter,” read one question. “What is a camel’s favorite color?” asked another.
The students, bewildered, looked at their papers without knowing what to do. It was very important for them to pass this exam to graduate soon and find a job.
From the darkest corner of the classroom, a small being watched the scene with great interest. It was Pupilkin, a Magikito dressed in clothes made from tree leaves who lived in the forest and occasionally liked to sneak into schools to learn interesting things.
Pupilkin had already attended many classes and could perfectly distinguish between a good teacher and one who only wanted to show off knowledge but couldn’t explain it.
He also felt special compassion for students when the teacher was unfair, and Professor Roger’s case seemed like the perfect example. Those questions clearly served no purpose, and they were super difficult to answer. So he settled into his hiding spot and snapped his fingers, ready to begin his mischief.
Suddenly, the classroom door burst open. All eyes turned to the entrance, where Principal Fermin appeared, a serious but fair man who had heard rumors about Professor Roger’s practices. — Professor! — he exclaimed with a firm voice — I’ve decided that today you will also take this exam. In fact, you’ll need to pass it to keep your job.
Professor Roger’s face turned as white as the paper he had just handed out. — Me?! But… that’s absurd! — he stammered. However, the Principal didn’t budge. — If it’s good enough for your students, it will be good enough for you — he replied.
With trembling hands, Roger took a copy of the exam and sat down to try to answer the questions. He stared at the paper, with a drop of sweat sliding down his forehead. — What is the exact number of leaves on the oldest tree in the forest? — he read aloud. — This… this makes no sense! — he complained, while the other students held back nervous laughter of relief.
Pupilkin, from his corner, enjoyed the scene. He discreetly approached the teacher’s desk and, with a gentle gesture of his magical fingers, made Roger’s pencil start moving on its own, writing even more ridiculous answers: “The camel prefers purple on Tuesdays” and “The oldest tree changes its leaves to the rhythm of the moon.” Roger frantically tried to erase the answers, but the pencil kept writing uncontrollably, while the students watched open-mouthed.
Principal Fermin, after watching for a while, interrupted. — It’s evident, Professor Roger, that not even you know how to answer your own questions. From today on, your exams will be reviewed by a student committee — The classroom burst into applause.
Professor Roger, red with embarrassment, lowered his head. — All right — he murmured — I’ll try to make more normal questions from now on.
Pupilkin, satisfied, smiled from his hiding place and said goodbye with a flash of light, ready for his next adventure. And so, with a pinch of magic and mischief, he had managed to make that school a slightly fairer place for everyone.
