As the sun dipped low on the horizon, Arjun, his mischievous nature in full swing, devised a scheme to trick the unsuspecting Annapurna sweet seller. With a pair of binoculars in hand, he approached the stall where the elderly seller sat.
“Uncle, have you ever had a close look at the Navratna rings you wear?” Arjun asked.
Intrigued, the sweet seller peered through the binoculars, only to find his vision blurring. Confused, he rubbed his eyes as Arjun, taking advantage of his poor vision, pilfered two boxes of sweets and dashed off into the street.
Breathless but exhilarated, Arjun raced through the streets until he found a group of impoverished children playing. With a heart full of mischief turned to kindness, he shared the stolen sweets with them, adding smiles to their faces.
Just as Arjun revelled in this newfound sense of heroism and generosity, a gentle hand touched his shoulder. He froze, and the stolen boxes crumpled in his hand. It was the sweet seller with a twinkle in his eye.
“Ah, Arjun,” he said, his voice croaky but kind. “I notice that you put those old pair of binoculars to good use. But next time, perhaps try asking instead of … borrowing without permission.”
Student in the Department of English
St. Xavier's College, Kolkata
