It was a scorching afternoon. My teacher, Mr Lee, was rambling on monotonously. Feeling bored, I shouted a comment to my friend who was sitting in the back row. Little did I know that that comment would make me learn a lesson the hard way.

My classmate, Xiangjie, thought that I had yelled at him. He bellowed at me at the top of his lungs; I was definitely not going to take this lying down! Pretty soon, our tempers flared. I could see steam pouring out of my ears! I tried desperately to compose myself.

Mr Lee hurriedly pulled Xiangjie away, determined to avoid a confrontation. However, he was too slow for the nimble-footed me. I struck a blow at Xiangjie without hesitation. Suddenly, the entire class erupted in chaos. My classmates looked dazed, their jaws dropped open.

Xiangjie immediately burst into tears, crouching in a fetal position. Mr Lee reprimanded me harshly.

"Haven't I always told you all not to use violence?!" he barked menacingly.

His words jolted me back to my senses. Pangs of regret stabbed my heart as I realised that I had hurt Xiangjie. Seeing him writhing in pain made me feel guilty. I stared at the ground, hoping that it would swallow me.

"I'm....I'm sorry...." I stuttered feebly. Mr Lee's face softened. He told me that I would have to bear the consequences of my actions. I would have to serve Correction Work Order at the canteen for two weeks.

No chance to go and play at the field for two whole weeks?! I groaned in dismay. Yet, I nodded my head because I knew I should make up for my mistake. After all, I could have caused Xiangjie severe injuries.

Forgoing two weeks of play was a real torture for me. In the end, I learnt an important lesson. Look before you leap. I resolved to think first instead of reacting rashly in the future. I was grateful to Mr Lee for scolding me because he had helped me correct my flaw.