The village of Nandipur was calm and bright that morning, filled with the sound of birds and the smell of fresh breakfast from nearby homes. Five-year-old Arko Singha was running around his small yard with a little bag on his back, jumping over stones and pretending to be a superhero.
His father, Ritobroto Singha, watched from the doorway, shaking his head.
"Arko, come here! You'll tire yourself out before we even reach the school."
Arko grinned. "No, Baba! I'm practicing. Today I'll run all the way to school!"
"Oh really?" Ritobroto chuckled. "Then who will hold my hand?"
Arko stopped for a moment, thinking. "Okay fine, you can hold my hand — but only because you'll get lost without me."
His father laughed softly. "You're already talking like a grown-up."
Today was a big day — Arko's admission day at Uttor Nandipur New Primary School.
The school was close to their home, just across the pond and a small mango grove. As they walked, villagers smiled at them.
"Ritobroto! Where are you taking your little tiger?" one old man called out.
"To school," his father replied proudly.
Arko waved. "I'm going to study! And maybe play also!"
The villagers laughed. Everyone in Nandipur already knew — if Arko was around, silence wouldn't last long.
When they reached the school, Arko's eyes widened. The yellow building stood quietly under the sun, with children walking in and out, some crying, some smiling. He held his father's hand tightly but looked around with excitement.
Inside, the Madam, the teacher in charge at the time, looked at the new boy and smiled.
"So, this is our new student?"
"Yes," Ritobroto said, handing over the papers. "He's been excited since morning."
Arko puffed his chest. "Hello, madam! I'm Arko Singha. I'll study hard!"
The teacher chuckled. "That's very nice to hear."
Arko leaned closer and whispered loudly, "But if I study hard, can I play after that?"
She smiled. "Only after studying."
"Okay, deal!" Arko said proudly.
After a few forms and signatures, the admission was done. Arko was officially a student of Uttor Nandipur New Primary School.
---
A Few Weeks Later…
Arko quickly became the most notorious student in school.
He loved running, climbing, and talking — but studying? Not so much.
"Arko! Sit down and write the alphabet!"
"I'll do it later, miss! My hands are tired from writing yesterday!"
"You didn't write anything yesterday!"
"Exactly! That's why my hands are still resting!"
The other teacher in the school, known as Mota Master, watched the chaos silently. He was big, tall, and calm — a permanent presence at the school. He often muttered,
"Arko… someday that energy will get him in real trouble,"
but never interfered unless things got really out of hand.
---
The New Headmaster Arrives
One day, the school received a new Headmaster. The Madam who had admitted Arko was transferred to another school. Everyone whispered about how serious and strict the new man would be.
Arko, of course, didn't care.
A few days later, when classes had ended, Arko wandered into the teachers' room. Only the new Headmaster was there, sitting at the desk, writing carefully.
"Who's there?" the man asked without looking up.
"It's me, Arko," the boy said, walking in with confidence.
The Headmaster looked up, surprised to see a small boy standing there. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to help you, sir," Arko said proudly.
"Help me?"
"Yes! You're new here, right? So I'll manage things for you. Give me the key to the cupboard, and I'll take care of everything!"
The man froze. "The… cupboard?"
"Yes! The big cupboard with all the books. I know how to handle it."
For a few seconds, the room went silent. Then the Headmaster slowly stood up.
"You think I'll hand over the cupboard key to a five-year-old?"
Arko blinked. "Umm… maybe?"
The man's eyes narrowed. "What nonsense is this?"
Before he could reach Arko, the boy darted out of the room, laughing loudly.
Mota Master, who had been quietly observing from the doorway, shook his head. "That boy… truly is a storm."
From that day on, everyone in Uttor Nandipur New Primary School knew one thing — Arko Singha was trouble wrapped in a smile, and Mota Master would always have to keep an extra eye on him.