A Real Leader | A Short Moral Story for Children |

 I never did, or countenanced, in public life, a single act inconsistent with the strictest good faith; having never believed there was one code of morality for a public, and another for private man.                   - Thomas Jefferson

 

"Why? Why not? Just give me one more chance! l'll prove to you that I'm a better player than him!" said Kashyap vehemently. Prem shook his head, "No, I'm sorry, but Salve won the match fair and square. He is the winner."

Kashyap turned away from Prem to ask harshly, "How can you call yourself my friend?" Prem stood in silence, not knowing what to say. Kashyap stormed away, leaving Prem confused, wondering how to choose between his friend and his duty.

Prem was the Sports Captain. He and Kashyap had grown up together. Though they had very different temperaments, they had always been friends. Prem was interested in physical sports while Kashyap had taken to chess and other board games. They had worked well as a team when they represented the school. Such was their friendship that far from being jealous when Prem had been voted Sports Captain, Kashyap had been really happy. The trouble had started the day Salve came.

Salve was a new student in the school. He was very quiet and kept to himself. Prem was surprised when Salve approached him to ask about representing the school for chess, but readily agreed to try him out. The next time there was an inter-school chess competition, Prem called both Kashyap and Salve to the trials. Kashyap had confidently thought that he would defeat Salve, but it turned out that Salve took control of the game from the start. In a short time, Salve had quietly called out, "Check mate".

Prem recognized Salve to be the better player and decided to send him to represent the school. Kashyap was furious. He had never been defeated before. He refused to accept defeat and wanted a rematch. He appealed to Prem, asking him as a friend to do this for him. His heart filled with regret, Prem refused to consider a rematch and Kashyap stormed off. His heart troubled, Prem sorted out the equipment in the sports room and cleaned up the place. He finally locked the door and leant his forehead against it. "It's getting late. Let's go," said Kashyap abruptly. Prem wheeled around in surprise," You waited for me?" Kashyap shrugged," Next time, I won't be caught off guard. I,'ll win when we try our for the next tournament."

"So you're not mad at me anymore?" asked an incredulous Prem. Kashyap looked embarrassed, "Look, I'm sorry about that. I don't want to represent the school because my friend is the Captain. I want to do it because I'm the best." Prem nodded and smiled. He understood.

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Credits:- Viva Education