That afternoon, it was agreed that we would all walk from our school to a nearby village famous for its flowers.
The plan was that we would race each other.
The whole class was ready.
We were supposed to reach the mosque of the village before sunset.
The mosque of that village was built near a tall tree and the mosque's minaret was also very tall; we could see it from our own village.
We were all waiting for our sports teacher to announce the start of the race.
When he did so, we quickly set off.
Some of the boys ran, others said that at the beginning it was better to walk.
We were happy and merrily we chatted amongst ourselves.
On the way, we came to a stream that flowed from the same village we were going to.
We became very happy and sat down at the side of the stream to wash ourselves and drink some of its fresh, cool water.
"Children", our teacher called out loudly, "if you are thirsty and want to drink, don't drink too much.
Otherwise you might get a stomach-ache and lag behind."
Upon hearing this, those of us who are bright and alert left the side of the stream and continued our walk.
But some of us said that they were very thirsty, and that if they didn't quench their thirsts they wouldn't be able to go on.
So they decided to drink a few handfuls more.
Our teacher was running harder than all of us.
Slowly, slowly the sun began to set.
Our teacher was the first to reach the mosque of that village.
I and some of my friends also reached the mosque before the sun had completely set.
The following morning the teacher announced the winners.
"Dear children", he said, "yesterday these pupils tried very hard and are the winners of the race.
Today I am going to give them their prizes and you should congratulate them.
"This world is also a competition ground.
We all struggle and race each other.
Our race is in good deeds and in helping and working for others.
"Those who succeed in this race are those who give more benefit to God's servants and worship God the best.
God gives these people a prize and reward in the Hereafter, and puts them in Heaven.
"However, those who do not strive in doing good deeds and turn to ugly, unworthy deeds will be ashamed of their ugly deeds in the Hereafter and will regret them bitterly.
They will not go to Heaven but will go to Hell and receive the recompense of their ugly deeds.
"Those who do good and those who do bad are not the same before God.
God recompenses each person according to the goodness or badness of that person's deeds.
"If God didn't give to those who do good a beautiful, eternal reward, what would induce us to do good deeds9 "And if God didn't punish those who do bad deeds, what would be the difference between them and those who do good?"
The light of Spring falls on the park, With the passing of winter-the season of dark.
Branches in bud, once more glowing, Violets by the stream, once more growing.
Sitting there, so beautifully arrayed, Under the willow tree, in its shade.
God, the Creator, with his power, gives existence, once again, to the flower.
To the dead earth, where nothing grows, a fresh, new life, He bestows.
Our death is for our bodies but autumnal, The Resurrection is our spring and life eternal.
The just reward of each sinner and liar, Is the darkness of Hell, the pain of its fire.
While the rewards of those who do good and right, are the joys of Heaven, and Celestial Light.