Penelope had spent hours studying for her history test, striving for an exceptional grade to keep her grades high enough to stay on the Honor Roll. She has been an honor student for years.

Now engrossed in the test sitting before her, she wrestles with a puzzling question worth ten points and carelessly drops her pencil to the floor. While retrieving it, something catches her eye–a notecard, prominently displaying the answer, is visible to her from her backpack, inviting her to read it. 

Her stomach flutters nervously as she locks eyes with Rachel, a trusted friend who understands Penelope’s drive for academic achievement. Through Rachel’s gaze, Penelope recognizes a mirror of trust and honesty, assured that her friend sees her for who she truly is.

Penelope stands at a pivotal moment in her life, facing difficult choices. Making the wrong decision could risk her relationship with her trusted friend. She would either be placing Rachel in a position of withholding information from the teacher or having the responsibility to report what she had seen. On the other hand, revealing the truth might jeopardize her academic future. She had studied so diligently for this exam, yet the answer she sought had slipped her mind when she needed it. It did not seem fair to her to give up a grade she had earned through hard work.

The Problem

Penelope Pumpernickel has worked incredibly hard to prepare for her history test because staying on the Honor Roll matters deeply to her. During the test, she comes across a difficult question—and by accident, she spots the exact answer on a notecard in her backpack.

Now she faces a tough choice:

Use the answer and protect her grade

Ignore it and risk losing points she feels she deserves

But there’s more at stake than just a test score. Her friend Rachel Rye sees what’s happening, and Penelope realizes that her decision could affect their friendship, her integrity, and how others trust her.

This is a moment about honesty, pressure, fairness, and doing the right thing—even when it’s hard.

Your Challenge

What would YOU do if you were Penelope? What would YOU do if you were Rachel?

Challenge Questions:

What are Penelope’s choices in this situation?
(Think about both the easy choice and the right choice.)

How might Penelope feel if she uses the answer? How might she feel if she doesn’t?

How could her decision affect her friendship with Rachel?

What does it mean to earn something honestly?
(Does using the note match the hard work she put in?)

What could Penelope do after the test if she feels upset about the question?

What would YOU do—and why?

Use the comment section to provide your answer!