It is Parent-Teacher Meeting Day at school.
Riya is a clever girl, but she always forgets her homework.
Her teacher, Mr. Sharma, says, “Riya, bring your father tomorrow. We need to talk.”
Riya goes home and tells her uncle, “Please come to my school. Pretend to be my dad.”
Her uncle laughs, “Why?”
“I forgot my homework again!” Riya says. “Please help me!”
The next day, Riya comes with her uncle.
He wears dark glasses and a big fake moustache.
They sit in front of Mr. Sharma.
Mr. Sharma says, “Riya is smart, but she never does her homework.”
The uncle says in a deep voice, “Oh really? I will talk to her at home!”
Mr. Sharma says, “And last week, she drew a cat on her test paper.”
The uncle says, “Art is in our blood. Her grandmother was also an artist.”
Mr. Sharma looks confused.
Then he says, “And what do you do, sir?”
The uncle says, “I… I am a… space scientist!”
Mr. Sharma raises his eyebrow. “Really? Where do you work?”
The uncle says, “I… fly to Mars every weekend!”
Riya hides her face.
Mr. Sharma starts to laugh.
“To Mars? Every weekend? That’s very interesting.”
The uncle nods. “Yes! Mars has no traffic. Very peaceful place.”
Mr. Sharma says, “Then you must know the Martian language.”
The uncle says, “Of course! Blib-blab-blu!”
Riya whispers, “Uncle, stop!”
But Mr. Sharma is enjoying it.
“Do Martians do homework?” he asks.
The uncle says, “Yes! They do homework on the moon!”
Just then, the school principal walks into the room.
He looks at the uncle and says, “You look familiar. Are you Riya’s uncle?”
Riya and her uncle freeze.
The uncle says, “No, no, I am… her father. From Mars.”
The principal laughs. “Nice try. I saw you last month dancing at the school picnic in a red t-shirt!”
Riya whispers, “Uncle, run!”
But the uncle says, “Too late now.”
Mr. Sharma says, “So, you’re not a space scientist?”
The uncle shakes his head. “No. I sell samosas near the bus stop.”
Riya smiles nervously. “Sir, please don’t be angry.”
Mr. Sharma says, “Riya, you are clever but lazy. And your uncle is crazy but funny.”
The principal laughs and says, “Next time, bring your real dad. Or at least bring me a samosa.”
The uncle says, “Two samosas and one homework. Deal?”
Everyone laughs.
Before leaving, Riya says, “Sir, I promise I will never forget my homework again.”
Mr. Sharma smiles, “And no more cats on test papers!”
Riya says, “Only Martians now!”
Moral: Lies may bring laughs, but truth brings samosas… and better grades!
