Bad habits
Vladimir Putin’s Global Power Play: From Forum Speeches to Strategic Summits
Introduction Vladimir Putin continues to dominate the international stage in 2025, balancing military strategy, peace negotiations, and economic initiatives—even amid growing geopolitical tension and global scrutiny.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a year ago in Confessions
The Lost Lunchbox: A Lesson in Honesty
The Lunchbox and the Lesson BY:Ubaid Sara, Umar, Imran, and Changez were all classmates in the same school. Though they studied together, their upbringing and behavior were quite different. Imran had been raised with discipline, good manners, and values. His parents had left no stone unturned in his training. Changez, on the other hand, had grown up spoiled. Because of constant pampering at home, he had developed a habit of ignoring advice, rejecting rules, and always following his own whims. He was stubborn, mischievous, and often careless about the consequences of his actions. One ordinary morning, Imran came to school carrying a lunchbox packed with delicious samosas that his mother had prepared for him. The savory aroma filled the classroom and caught Changez’s attention immediately. As soon as he realized that Imran had samosas for lunch, his mouth watered. A strong craving grew inside him. He began thinking about how he could taste those samosas. But there was one problem—Imran never offered food without being asked, and Changez, due to his ego and pride, never liked to ask anyone for anything. He preferred taking things in his own way. Instead of politely requesting Imran to share his lunch, Changez’s mischievous mind started plotting. “Why not steal his lunchbox?” he thought. “If I manage to get hold of it, I can eat all the samosas by myself without anyone knowing.” The idea excited him, and from that very moment, he started waiting for the right opportunity. When the bell rang for the lunch break, Imran placed his lunchbox on his desk and went to wash his hands, as was his habit. Changez immediately noticed this chance. With a sly smile, he sneaked to Imran’s desk, picked up the lunchbox, and quickly threw it out of the classroom window. The window opened into the back field of the school, a place not often visited by students. That area was used mostly for dumping old school furniture and equipment, and usually only the janitor went there. By the time Imran returned, the classroom was nearly empty. He looked around in confusion. His lunchbox was gone. He checked under the desk, searched his bag, and asked a few students, but no one seemed to know. His heart sank. All his excitement about eating the samosas disappeared, replaced with worry and sadness. For the first time, he realized what it felt like to lose something precious. He spent the rest of the lunch break sitting quietly, without eating anything, his face clouded with disappointment. Meanwhile, Changez had brought his own lunch that day—an egg paratha. Yet, his mind was not on it at all. He neither ate his paratha nor offered it to the hungry Imran. His only thought was about retrieving the hidden lunchbox and devouring the samosas secretly. After the break, Imran gathered courage and went to the teacher to report the theft. The teacher, surprised and concerned, immediately searched all the students’ bags. But the lunchbox was not found anywhere. Imran was heartbroken, but he kept quiet. He decided not to create more fuss and endured the rest of the school day silently. When the final bell rang, students rushed out toward their buses. Imran boarded his bus, still upset about his missing lunch. Changez, however, stayed behind, pretending to pack his things slowly. He was waiting for everyone to leave so he could go to the back field without being seen. At last, when the corridors became silent, Changez slipped out and walked all the way to the back field. The window was too high to climb out from, so he had to take a longer route. After some searching among the piles of discarded furniture, he found Imran’s lunchbox exactly where he had thrown it. Triumphantly, he picked it up, tucked it inside his bag, and turned back toward the buses. But fate had other plans. By the time he reached the bus stop, all the buses had already left. The school gate was locked, as the watchman assumed everyone had gone home. Changez froze. He was trapped inside the school premises. Panic rushed over him. He sat down on the ground, clutching the lunchbox, and tears filled his eyes. The plan that had seemed clever in the morning had now left him hungry, stranded, and guilty. He cried bitterly, realizing that he had not only ruined his own day but also caused pain to his classmate. Neither had he eaten lunch nor allowed Imran to enjoy his food. The desire for a few samosas had cost him dearly. At that moment, he raised his hands and prayed silently, promising Allah that he would never repeat such a mistake. Exhausted from crying, he eventually fell asleep in the empty field, the lunchbox still in his hands. Back at home, Changez’s absence created worry. His mother expected him to arrive on the school bus, but when he didn’t, she became anxious. She quickly phoned Imran’s house to ask if he had seen Changez. Imran’s parents explained that Imran had not seen him on the bus either, though he had been in school earlier. Concern grew, and Changez’s father returned from work. The family, along with Imran’s parents, went to the school to search for him. When they arrived, they persuaded the watchman to unlock the gate. Inside the back field, they finally spotted Changez lying asleep. In his hands, to everyone’s surprise, was Imran’s missing lunchbox. His father woke him gently, and Changez burst into fresh tears. He confessed everything—the theft, the plan, the missed bus, and his fear. He apologized deeply to both Imran and his own parents. Imran, though saddened by the day’s events, forgave him wholeheartedly. The teacher and parents explained the seriousness of his actions, reminding him that dishonesty and selfishness always lead to loss. Changez listened carefully, ashamed but also relieved that he was forgiven. From that day forward, he changed. He promised never to steal again and to respect the belongings of others. Imran and Changez reconciled, and in a heartwarming gesture, Imran shared his samosas with him. They both sat together, eating from the same lunchbox—not as enemies, but as friends who had learned an important lesson about honesty, kindness, and forgiveness.
By Ubaid about a year ago in Confessions
When Love Turns Blind
Every morning, the door of a narrow, dusty alley in Pakistan creaks open to reveal Razia Begum—a mother whose eyes no longer dream; they only wait. Her son, Faisal, was once her pride, the jewel among eight daughters. But love without guidance turned him into someone she barely recognizes today.
By Shehzad Anjumabout a year ago in Confessions
The Shoes I Couldn’t Throw Away
They sat in the corner of my closet, tucked behind a row of boots and dress shoes I never wore. Old sneakers, frayed at the edges, laces gray instead of white, and soles so thin they could barely hold together. Every time I tried to throw them out, I froze. My hand would linger on the torn fabric, my chest tightening as if I was about to give away more than just a pair of shoes.
By arsalan ahmadabout a year ago in Confessions
The Day I Stopped Answering Unknown Numbers
It started with one of those relentless calls that always seem to come during dinner. The phone buzzed against the table, lighting up with the words “Unknown Caller.” I remember staring at it, fork in hand, wondering if this would be the one time it mattered.
By arsalan ahmadabout a year ago in Confessions
Confessions of a Professional Procrastinator
Confessions of a Professional Procrastinator: A Playful, Relatable Story on Delaying Everything If procrastination were an Olympic sport, I would have more gold medals than Michael Phelps. I don’t just delay tasks—I elevate them into an art form. The moment I sit down to start something important, my brain suddenly becomes a suggestion box for every other activity in the universe. Water the plants? Of course. Organize the sock drawer? Absolutely urgent. Scroll through recipes I’ll never cook? Critical to survival.
By Aariz ullahabout a year ago in Confessions
Confessions of a Former Alcoholic Part 20
I do not take pleasure in the fact that I am an alcoholic; yet, drinking alcohol has the effect of taking one back in time and causing one to behave in an abnormal manner. After abstaining from a drug for a period of twelve days, I decided to experiment with it and make the following observations. Addictive behaviors are, in fact, addictive.
By TheNaethabout a year ago in Confessions
The Loneliest Role: Being the Strong One
There’s an invisible weight that comes with being “the strong one.” It’s the role no one assigns you, but somehow, it becomes yours. Maybe it’s because you don’t easily cry in front of others, or because you’ve mastered the art of saying “I’m fine” when you’re breaking inside. Perhaps it’s because you’ve always been the one who steps up—holding families together, carrying friendships on your shoulders, and being the steady voice when everyone else is falling apart.
By Nadeem Shah about a year ago in Confessions
The Truth of My Life
I never thought my life would turn out this way. If you had asked me years ago what I wanted, I would have said something simple: a peaceful home, steady work, people I could trust, and love that lasted. But the truth of my life is nothing like that dream. Instead, it has been a storm of secrets, heartbreaks, and betrayals that left me questioning everything I once believed in.
By Nadeem Shah about a year ago in Confessions
The Truth of My Life
There was a time when I believed life was simple. You worked hard, you loved honestly, and in return, life would reward you with stability, happiness, and peace. That’s what I thought. That’s what many of us think when we’re young. But the truth of my life is very different—messier, heavier, and far more complicated than I could have ever imagined.
By Nadeem Shah about a year ago in Confessions
