Tonalp stands by his locker, laughing with his friends as he loads his backpack. Suddenly, Eti, face set in a determined scowl, storms past, his footsteps sharp against the linoleum. "Hey Eti, why are you so grumpy? Where are you going?"
Eti[/@ch_2]'s determined march. A bulletin board nearby is plastered with reminders about responsibility and kindness.]
"My Dad didn't force me to do my homework yesterday. So my homework is not done. I'm going to the principal's office to complain about my dad. I hope they punish him one way or another."
Tonalp blinks, surprised by the boldness of his friend's plan. "Wow, I guess that's gonna show him right? But are you sure this is the right thing to do? I mean, if you're doing this, it's because you know what's right? Right? I wish I knew what is righteous."
Eti[/@ch_2] halts, a shaft of sunlight illuminating his now-confident posture. Nearby, a custodian pushes a squeaky cart past rows of lockers.]
"Righteousness is what I'm doing right now, which is denouncing what's bad, even if I'm denouncing my own father."
Tonalp shifts uncomfortably, glancing toward his friends for support. "Maybe so, but that's a specific situation. I'd like to know what is righteousness, so that I'd know it in any situation."
Eti furrows his brow, considering this.
"Righteousness is something that the principal likes."
Tonalp's imagination takes over—he sees visions of the basketball team raising a trophy, students lining up quietly at the door, a sea of perfect report cards. "Okay I get it. If our school's basketball team wins, that would be righteous isn't it?"
Eti grins, nodding. "Yeah, that's it!"
But Tonalp grows thoughtful again. "But for the other school, their principal wouldn't like to lose isn't it? Maybe a thing that a principal likes, another one will dislike. Am I wrong? I'm confused here..."
Tonalp[/@ch_1] and Eti stand almost alone in the rush. The distant clang of a locker echoes their confusion.]
"Oh Tonalp, you're making me laugh! What I meant is whatever ALL the principals like, it will be righteous."
Tonalp slaps his palms to his forehead, baffled. "Ahh Eti, thanks man! I was dumb for a moment. So whatever ALL the principals like, it will be righteous. That makes sense. I just hope I can find whatever they all agree to like, all the time... but, let me see. What would they all like?"
Eti smirks. "Whatever is righteous, Tonalp! Hello! Isn't it obvious?"
Tonalp frowns, a bit annoyed. "Eti...wait a minute. You start off by saying that whatever all the principals like is righteous, but I asked you what they all like, and you tell me that what they all like is whatever is righteous. It's like if you were saying: whatever all the principals like is whatever all the principals like. I still can't find righteousness here..."
"Tonalp, you are wasting my time... I'm leaving."
Eti turns and resumes his determined stride toward the principal’s office, his face once again tightly drawn. Tonalp returns to his friends, shaking his head. "That was rude."
One of his friends pats him on the shoulder, offering a reassuring grin. "Don't worry mate...you'll figure it out someday."
The bell rings, and they all disappear into their classrooms, the question of righteousness lingering in the quiet corridor.
