Rohan was not the kind of student who usually stood first in class. He worked hard, completed his homework on time, and respected his teachers, but there was always someone who scored a little higher. Still, he never complained. His father often told him, “Marks are important, but honesty is more important.” Rohan believed that — or at least he thought he did.

It was the day the mathematics exam results were being distributed. The classroom buzzed with nervous whispers. Some students prayed silently, others tapped their pencils anxiously on their desks. When Mrs. Sharma began calling out names, Rohan’s heart started beating faster. He had studied hard for this exam. He hoped he had done well.

“Rohan,” Mrs. Sharma called.

He walked to the front of the class and took his answer sheet with trembling hands. He glanced at the top of the page and froze.

95 out of 100.

His eyes widened. This was the highest mark he had ever scored in mathematics. His best friend Aarav, who usually topped the class, had scored 93. For the first time, Rohan had the highest marks.

His classmates congratulated him. Aarav smiled and said, “Well done, Rohan! You deserve it.”

Rohan smiled back, but something felt strange.

When he sat down and looked at his paper carefully, he noticed something unusual. On question number 7, he had made a small calculation mistake. He clearly remembered being unsure about that answer. But Mrs. Sharma had given him full marks for it.

He checked again. Yes, it was wrong.

His fingers tightened around the paper.

“No one will notice,” a small voice inside him whispered. “It’s just two marks. You worked hard anyway.”

Another voice answered, “But the answer is wrong.”

He looked around the classroom. Everyone was busy discussing their marks. Some were happy, some disappointed. No one was paying attention to him.

If he told the teacher, his marks would drop to 93. He would no longer be first in class.

For a moment, he imagined going home and showing his parents the 95. They would be so proud. His father might even bring sweets to celebrate.

His heart felt heavy.

He remembered something his father had once said when a shopkeeper returned extra change by mistake. His father had gone back to return it.

“Son,” he had told Rohan that day, “money earned without honesty never brings peace.”

Rohan looked at his exam paper again. The number “95” no longer felt exciting. It felt uncomfortable.

Slowly, he stood up.

His legs felt weak as he walked toward Mrs. Sharma’s desk. She was writing something in her register.

“Yes, Rohan?” she asked kindly.

He swallowed.

“Ma’am… I think there is a mistake in my paper.”

She looked up, slightly surprised. “A mistake?”

“Yes, ma’am. Question number 7. I wrote the wrong answer, but I got full marks.”

Mrs. Sharma adjusted her glasses and checked his paper carefully. After a moment, she nodded.

“You’re right. This answer is incorrect.”

Rohan felt his chest tighten.

She picked up her red pen and corrected the marks. 95 became 93.

For a second, Rohan felt a small wave of disappointment. But almost immediately, something else replaced it — relief.

Mrs. Sharma looked at him thoughtfully.

“Rohan,” she said gently, “most students would not have said anything.”

He lowered his eyes. “But it was wrong, ma’am.”

She smiled.

“Marks can be corrected,” she said. “Character is built by choices. I am very proud of you.”

After the class ended, Mrs. Sharma spoke briefly to the students.

“Today,” she said, “I want to appreciate someone for showing true honesty. Rohan noticed an error in his own paper and came to correct it, even though it reduced his marks.”

The classroom fell silent.

Aarav looked at Rohan with respect.

Mrs. Sharma continued, “Being first in class is good. But being truthful is greater. Let us all learn from this.”

Rohan felt his face grow warm, but this time it was not from embarrassment. It was from quiet pride.

When he went home that day, he showed his father the paper with 93 marks.

“I could have had 95,” Rohan said softly, and told him what had happened.

His father listened carefully. Then he placed his hand on Rohan’s shoulder.

“My son,” he said, smiling, “today you scored 100 in honesty.”

That night, Rohan slept peacefully. The number on the paper no longer mattered. What mattered was the lightness in his heart.

And from that day on, he understood something important:

Success feels good.
But truth feels better.

Moral of the Story

True success is not measured by marks or rewards, but by honesty and character. When we choose truth, we build trust and inner peace that no number can replace.

Glossary

1. Truthfulness – The quality of always telling the truth.
2. Integrity – Doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
3. Moral – The lesson learned from a story.
4. Honesty – Being truthful in words and actions.
5. Conscience – The inner voice that tells us what is right or wrong.
6. Responsibility – Accepting the results of one’s actions.
7. Recognition – Appreciation or praise for doing something good.
8. Trust – Confidence that someone will act honestly.
9. Choice – A decision made between different options.
10. Value – A principle or belief that guides behaviour.

Vocabulary

1. Anxious – Feeling worried or nervous about something.
2. Trembling – Shaking slightly because of fear or excitement.
3. Whispered – Spoke very softly.
4. Unusual – Different from what is normal or expected.
5. Tightened – Became firm or tense.
6. Disappointment – A feeling of sadness when something does not happen as expected.
7. Relief – A feeling of comfort after worry or fear is removed.
8. Appreciate – To recognise the value or importance of something.
9. Character – The qualities that make a person honest and good.
10. Peacefully – Calmly and quietly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the moral of the “The Exam Paper Mistake” story?

The moral of the story is that true success is built on honesty and character, not just marks or rewards.

2. Why did Rohan tell the teacher about the mistake?

Rohan chose to tell the truth because he believed honesty was more important than getting higher marks.

3. How does this story teach truthfulness to students?

The story shows that even small dishonest gains can make us uncomfortable, while telling the truth brings peace and respect.