A Scout Is Trustworthy

“Look at all that money. I wonder how much his allowance for a day is,” Ernest was talking to his seatmate, Shane. They were both watching Rey when he opened his wallet.

“I heard his father works in a vulcanizing shop. Where do you think he got all that money?” Shane asked.

“Maybe he secretly took some from his father,” Ernest answered.

During recess, they both followed Rey to the cafeteria. He bought bread and fruit juice. On his way back to the classroom, Shane tried to block his way and Ernest snatched the bread from him. However, instead of trying to take it back, Rey asked him if was hungry and even offered him the fruit juice. Ernest and Shane did not see that coming. Embarrassed, Ernest put the bread back in Rey’s hand and ran away as fast as he could.

Rey stood there wondering what just happened. He started to run after them when he saw a crumpled five hundred-peso bill on the ground. No one else was there so he picked it up and decided to take it to his teacher, Mr. Glenn. “I am so happy and proud of what you did. Somewhere in the school someone could already be looking for this.” His teacher patted his shoulder.

“Attention all boy scouts. Troop formation will be at four o’clock this afternoon. Please don’t forget to wear your type-A uniform.” The announcement was heard early in the morning that day before classes started.

“Shane, did you know that Rey is a boy scout?” Ernest asked.

“Nope, I have never seen him in a scout’s uniform since he transferred to our school,” said Shane. Before she could continue talking, Rey came up to them and handed her a small bag.

“You forgot your lunch box. I met your mother at the gate and she asked me to give this to you.”

Shane remembered what they did to Rey a few days ago. She couldn’t even meet his eyes. She took the bag and left. Ernest ran after her.

“Hey, why are you blushing? Do you like Rey?”

“No, silly, I was just too shy to say anything after what we did.”

One afternoon, Ernest saw Rey at the accounting office. He was handing out some bills to the cashier. He waited for him outside and asked, “What was that for? Why do you have a lot of money?”

“The money’s not mine. It was for my tuition.” Rey answered.

“But we are just in Grade 4, how could your parents trust you to carry that much money?”

Rey smiled and said, “Ernest, a scout is trustworthy. I think you could be one, too.”