I Can Go Back — An Illustrated Read-Aloud Story

Omar saw a new green pencil on a classroom table. Sami's name was on it, but Omar liked its colour. He looked around, then slipped the pencil into his pocket.

At the end of the lesson, Sami asked about his pencil. Some children helped him search. Omar kept his hand near his pocket and said nothing.

At home, Omar took out the pencil. Sami's name appeared again. Its colour no longer made him happy. He hid it under a notebook, then kept checking that it was still there.

“I took Sami's pencil, and I am afraid to take it back,” Omar told Dad. Dad sat beside him. “Return it, apologise and ask Allah to forgive you. We hope for His mercy and begin to repair what we did.”

The next morning, Omar returned the pencil. “I took it without your permission. I'm sorry.” He did not add an excuse. He waited and let Sami say what he needed to say.

The pencil was back with its owner. Omar's face was still warm with embarrassment, but he knew the path. That evening he prayed, “O Allah, forgive me and help me to be truthful.”