Written on the trade prevalent in examination papers.





“Get up, dear, or you’ll be late


for examiners can hardly wait


on student leaders in bed.”





Maternal reprimands generate


paternal frowns which agitate


the leaders of the led.





It costs a lot to educate one’s children nowadays.





Wearily I dressed myself, ate


nervously, had reached the gate


when a voice within said:





“If your aim is to graduate,


the example you should emulate


is that of the well-bred.





It costs a lot to educate one’s children nowadays.”





The fear of staying illiterate


put wings to shoes of sorry state


as to exams I sped.





Outside the hall the current rate


continued to fluctuate


as papers were traded.





It costs a lot to educate one’s children nowadays.





The results that lay on Father’s plate


I had scant wish to contemplate


till I had breakfasted.





“At times like this, alas, my fate


moves faster than I dictate.


Father tersely said:





“It costs a lot to educate one’s children nowadays.





The newspapers I know exaggerate,


but my senses can’t co-ordinate


at seeing your name ahead.”





“Oh, Dad! I had to concentrate


like mad, my grave cells activate


to a furious blood-red”.





“But yours was B.Com Intermediate!”


I felt a blush illuminate


conspiracy exposed.





I had mistaken the exam date,


bought answers at the wrong rate,


and became an M.B.B.S. instead.





It costs a lot to educate one’s children nowadays.








[Published in THE PAKISTAN TIMES, 1 August 1970]