Writers 
### The Obedient Child
Once upon a time, in a peaceful village in Imo State, Nigeria, there lived a young girl named Amara. She was twelve years old and lived with her parents in a small but beautiful house. Her father, Mr. Okeke, was a farmer, while her mother, Mrs. Okeke, was a trader. They were not very rich, but they worked hard to provide food, clothing, and education for their daughter.
Amara was known throughout the village as an obedient, respectful, and hardworking child. She loved her parents dearly and always listened to their advice. Whenever her mother asked her to help with household chores, she did so happily. She washed the dishes, swept the house, fetched water, and arranged her schoolbooks before going to bed.
Her parents were proud of her because she understood that obedience was not just about following instructions but also about showing love, respect, and responsibility.
Every morning, Amara woke up early, prayed, took her bath, and prepared for school. She greeted her parents politely before leaving the house. At school, she respected her teachers, listened carefully during lessons, and helped her classmates whenever they had difficulties understanding their work.
Her teachers often praised her good behaviour and encouraged other students to learn from her example.
One day, something happened that tested Amara's obedience and good character.
As she was returning from school, she met some of her friends playing beside the road. They invited her to follow them to a nearby stream to swim. Amara wanted to join them because the weather was hot, and she felt like having some fun.
However, she remembered that her mother had warned her never to visit the stream without an adult. The stream was deep in some places, and the water could be dangerous.
Her friends laughed at her and called her afraid.
"Amara, are you not brave enough to swim with us?" one of them asked.
Amara felt embarrassed, but she refused to change her mind.
"My mother warned me not to go there without an adult. I must obey her because she wants me to be safe," she replied.
Her friends left without her, and Amara continued her journey home.
When she arrived, she told her mother what had happened. Her mother smiled proudly and hugged her.
"My daughter, you have made the right decision. Sometimes, doing what is right means refusing to follow the crowd," she said.
A few days later, the headteacher announced that the school would hold a special ceremony to reward students with excellent behaviour and academic performance. Amara was selected as one of the best students in her class.
During the ceremony, she received a certificate, several exercise books, and a schoolbag. Her parents were invited to attend, and they felt very happy when they heard the headteacher describe their daughter's honesty, discipline, and respect for others.
The headteacher explained that Amara's success was not only because she studied hard but also because she listened to good advice and made responsible decisions.
As Amara grew older, she continued to practise the good values her parents had taught her. She learned to respect other people, speak politely, tell the truth, and take responsibility for her actions. She also understood that obedience did not mean following every instruction from everybody. If someone asked her to do something dangerous or wrong, she knew she should seek help from a trusted adult.
Years later, Amara became a successful teacher. She used her knowledge and experience to teach children the importance of education, honesty, kindness, and discipline.
Whenever she spoke to her pupils, she reminded them that good character was just as important as success.
Moral lesson: Obedience, respect, honesty, and discipline are important qualities every child should develop. Children should listen to wise advice from their parents and teachers, avoid dangerous peer pressure, and always choose what is right. These values can help them grow into responsible adults and build a better society.