It was exam time in both Tolu’s and Morayo’s schools. Everyone was nervous. These exams were very important. They would decide if the students could go to the university or not.

Tolu woke up early every morning. She washed her face, swept the room, and read her books. Even at night, when she was tired, she still studied with her small torchlight.

She didn’t have a private tutor nor a big desk or air-conditioned room. But she had a strong heart and a sharp mind.

Her parents always said, “Tolu, read well. Your future is bright.”  

She smiled and nodded. “I will make you proud,” she whispered.

At Morayo’s house, things were different. Morayo had everything , a tutor who came to the house, a quiet room, snacks, and even a soft chair to sit on while studying. But Morayo didn’t take her books seriously.  

She watched TV for long hours, played with her phone and talked to her friends.  

She would say, “My parents will sort it out. I don’t need to stress myself.”

Her mum often said, “Just try, dear. We will handle the rest.”  

Morayo smiled and didn’t worry.

When the exams came, Tolu was ready. She prayed before entering the hall. She took a deep breath and picked up her pen. Carefully, she wrote and answered every question with her best effort.

Morayo, on the other hand, felt confused during the exams. She didn’t remember many things. Looking at the paper she sighed, scribbled what she could and waited for it to be over.

Weeks passed, and the results finally came out. Tolu passed all her subjects—and not just passed, she had excellent results! 

Her parents danced with joy. Tolu’s mum cried happy tears. “My child! You did it!”

Tolu smiled with pride. She knew it was just the beginning.

Morayo’s parents were not happy. Their daughter didn’t pass but they were rich, so they paid a lot of money to some people, and suddenly Morayo’s result changed.

Morayo smiled and said, “Didn’t I tell you? I always get what I want.”

Tolu didn’t know this. She was busy thinking about how to get money for university. She knew her parents couldn’t afford it now, so she made a decision.

“I will work,” she told her parents.  

“I will save money. I will wait. I will not give up.”

Her parents were sad, but they agreed. They knew their daughter was strong.

While Morayo was getting ready to enter a private university, Tolu was getting ready to work.

Their journeys were going in different directions. But life had plans for both of them.