By Siti Hajar
It was a bright sunny morning, when Karina bounced into the kitchen in her sporty T-shirt and training pants. Her cheerful energy lit up the room. “Mom, today’s exercise day! Mr. Farid is taking us to Blang Padang!” she exclaimed, referring to the lush, green field that was a popular spot in Banda Aceh.
Amira, her mother, chuckled as she boiled some eggs for breakfast. “You look so excited, Karina! Do you need more eggs for extra energy?”
“Yes, please, Mom!” Karina grinned. “I’ll need all the energy I can get!”
By the time Karina arrived at school, Mr. Farid was already waiting in the front yard, gathering the excited students from grade 3 Islamic elementary. Karina spotted her best friend, Dianda, and waved eagerly.
Soon, Wira arrived, looking as cheerful as ever. “I can’t wait to run at Blang Padang!” he said, his voice full of excitement. But then, Wira noticed Hanafi dragging his feet, looking tired and sleepy.
“Hanafi, why do you look so weak?” Wira asked suspiciously. He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t tell me you stayed up late playing games again!”
Hanafi avoided Wira’s gaze, but before he could reply, Mr. Farid walked over. “Is everything alright here?” he asked, noticing the tension.
Hanafi tried to muster a smile. “I’m just feeling a little weak, Sir. I didn’t have time for breakfast this morning.”
Mr. Farid frowned slightly but then said, “You should head to the school kitchen and grab something to eat before we leave. It’s important to fuel your body.”
Relieved, Hanafi nodded and walked off. Wira, however, wasn’thappy. He whispered, “That wasn’t the real reason, was it, Hanafi?”
“I was scared Mr. Farid would be mad if I told the truth,” Hanafi admitted quietly.
Wira sighed, “But as good Muslims, we should always tell the truth.”
***
At Blang Padang, the students arrived at the beautiful field under the warm sun. The lush green grass stretched far and wide, and the place buzzed with activity—people jogging, cycling, and even flying kites.
Karina and Dianda immediately joined the warm-up exercises led by Mr. Farid.
“Come on, let’s give it our all!” Karina cheered, her ponytail swinging as she ran ahead. Dianda laughed, struggling to keep up. “Wait for me, Karina! You’re too fast!”
Wira ran alongside Hanafi, who was struggling to keep up. After a while, Hanafi stopped, panting heavily. Mr. Farid noticed and walked over. “Hanafi, are you alright? You seem out of energy.”
Hanafi hesitated, looking down at his shoes.
Finally, he took a deep breath and said, “Sir, I need to tell you the truth. I didn’t eat breakfast because I stayed up too late playing games.”
Mr. Farid’s expression softened. “Thank you for being honest, Hanafi. That’s very brave of you. Remember, taking care of your body is just as important as exercising. Make sure to rest and eat properly next time, okay?”
Hanafi nodded. “I promise, Sir. I’ll do better.”
Dianda and Karina jogged back to check on Hanafi. “Come on, Hanafi!” Dianda said encouragingly. “You can just walk with us.
It’s more fun together anyway!”
“Yeah,” Karina added with a smile. “Exercise isn’t about being the fastest; it’s about staying healthy and having fun!”
***
After completing their lap, Mr. Farid gathered the students under the shade of a large tree. “Great job, everyone! Today, we learned not just about staying active but also about the importance of honesty, good sleep, and eating right. Who can share what they’ll do differently next time?”
“Sleep well!” shouted Karina.
“Eat a healthy breakfast!” added Dianda.
“Always tell the truth!” Hanafi said, his voice filled with determination.
The group laughed, their spirits high despite the morning’s challenges. Hanafi felt a wave of gratitude for his friends and teacher, who had encouraged him to be better.
As they packed up to leave, Karina looked at the group and said, “Let’s do this again next week!”
“Absolutely!” Wira replied.
And with that, they walked back to school, their friendship stronger and their hearts full of excitement for the next adventure.
***
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