Oko was a boy who loved to play with his twin friends, Thulile – also known as Thuli – and Thulani. They would play all sorts of fun games together like soccer, touch and doo-sheh. Oko would always enjoy himself fully, but his friends would always leave the games crying or cheated.

One weekend Thuli and Thulane came to visit Oko at his home. They began to play soccer.

“Kick the ball to me, Thulani, I am open!” Thuli called.

Thulani kicked the ball so hard it hit Oko in the face.

“Ah! I am so sorry Oko, it was a mistake!” Thulani said.

“Sorry, Oko,” Thuli said.

Oko was very upset and embarrassed, “I don’t want your stupid sorry I want revenge! Revenge!”

The twins were very confused. They did not understand what Oko was talking about. Just then Thulani felt the ball hit him full in his face. It was so sore Thulani started crying.

“How can you hurt my brother like this on purpose, Oko! He said he was sorry!” Thuli shouted.

Oko did not care, he left them standing there and went inside.
The next Monday at school while the kids were playing on the swings, Oko passed just as Thuli was swinging and she kicked him by mistake.

“Oh, so sorry Oko, I didn’t see you coming.”

“You did see me coming; you’re lying. I want revenge!” Oko shouted.

By now Thuli knew what he meant. She allowed him to get his revenge as he swung into her.
Miss Sithole saw the whole scene play out so she called them both and reprimanded Oko.

“You cannot treat people like this Oko, mistakes happen, you need to learn to forgive. One day you will be the one who has done wrong and then you will need forgiveness too. Now, apologise,” Miss Sithole said.

“I am sorry,” Oko murmured.

Over the weekend was Thulile and Thulani’s birthday. Oko was so excited; he was one of the first to arrive.

“Happy birthday, guys!” Oko exclaimed.

Just then he walked in and tripped over a cord falling straight into the cake. Everyone was shocked and the twins began to cry.

“I am so, so, sorry guys! I really didn’t mean to do this, please forgive me,” Oko cried.

Thuli turned to him and said, “Now do you understand what Miss Sithole was talking about? Imagine if we wanted revenge rather than to forgive you.”

“I do understand now. I am ashamed of how I always treat you both, can you please give me another chance?” Oko asked.

“We forgive you,” Thulile and Thulani said and they rushed to enjoy the rest of the birthday party outside.

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