Short-story
Unconditional Companionship

Reyaansh Bhardwaj
Scottish High International School
Gurugram
Grade 3
To celebrate his tenth birthday, Alex goes on a trip with his parents and sister Innaya to a Treasure Farm in Bikiteybottom. They stay in a luxurious houseboat with four deluxe cabins, a sitting room equipped with a modern fireplace and a private deck. Alex found his cabin perfect with white flowing curtains, a comfy bed and a fancy red chair. There was a barbecue station on the back deck. However, his favourite place was the upper deck, as he enjoyed the picturesque view. Completely mesmerising!
It was his birthday morning, and he was having his me-time in the upper deck by sipping his all-time favourite Oreo shake. Engaging with the horizon and capturing the view, he saw a puppy drowning in the river and struggling to breathe. He got scared that the puppy might die.
Alex screamed, “Help, help, a puppy is drowning.” He rushed down and came out to the shore. His mother, who is too fond of dogs, also rushed to the site.
“Alex, rush and get the safety net and lifebuoy rescue tube,” says mom. Alex rushed and followed the command. With the life-saving aids, they managed to pull the puppy out. Mom holds the puppy in hand and tries taking out the inhaled water.
“Inaaya, Inaaya, come out soon. Get a towel and some cookies,” says mom. With care, they pat dry the puppy and comfort him. Mom gives cookies. He gobbles all as if he was hungry for many days.
“Oh goodness, who will take care of this cute little angel,” says Innaya. He has fluffy white fur, floppy ears, cute little curly tail with black spots. “Where is his mother or family. I hope he is not alone,” says Alex. They get moved with his innocent face and pleading puppy eyes. Mom answers, “Alex, Inaaya, don’t worry. We all will take care of him.”
Alex happily jumps and says, “This is awesome, as he can be my birthday gift.”
“Wow, what will be his name?” asks Inaaya. Everyone gave their names but settled on Alex choice, Oreo.
Mom took Oreo inside the houseboat; Alex made his bed in one corner of the cabin. Oreo energetically jumped around, affectionately wagging his tail. Until now, he lived an abandoned life, and now he has a home with caring and loving family members around him. Alex prepared eggs with milk for Oreo, and mom felt proud of him for taking care of the puppy. Alex was thrilled to have a friend like him, always by his side. He could cuddle him. For others, it’s a dog, but for Alex, Oreo is a companion and family, and there’s trust and loyalty.
In the evening, Alex’s newfound friends come over for his birthday celebrations. Indeed, they were excited to see the puppy. They all found him curious, observant, naughty, and adorable with expressive ears. One of his friends noticed that he was whining and not barking, which was quite unusual.
After the party ended, Alex came to sleep in his cabin. Oreo followed him, came near his bed and said, “Thank you”. Alex was speechless. His joy was to infinity that God has sent him a uniquely gifted fur-baby who can talk to him. Alex and Oreo chatted the whole night like buddies.
The following day, Alex asks Oreo, “What do you wish for yourself.” Oreo sadly says, “We strays live a very cursed life, people hit us with a stick, they pelt stone on us and hate our sight. They don’t want us to live in Bikiteybottom.” Alex feels disheartened and teary-eyed. He responds, “Coexistence! We all should work for and value.” Alex pledges in his mind to write to the Governor seeking support in saving animals and safeguarding their rights.
Oreo licks Alex’s hands, cutely cuddles him, and asks, “My saviour, what can I do for you. You may share your wish too.” Alex, says “Aww, your presence completes the vacuum of true companionship in my life. Let us make others happy, and you become a therapy dog for downhearted.”
(Photo Courtesy – Unsplash – Clint Mckoy)
Short-story
The Abandoned Soul

Short Stories – Kumbh Series
Garvit Agarwal
Lucknow
Writer attended a Creative Writing Course by Takhte Writers and Publishers
The sun hung low over the Kumbh Mela, casting a warm golden hue across the throngs of devotees gathered along the banks of the sacred Ganges. The air buzzed with chants, laughter, and the rustling of colourful saris flapping in the wind. Pulkit and Ragini moved through the crowd, their hands intertwined but their expressions distant.
“Look at them, Ragini,” Pulkit said, forcing a smile as he gestured toward a group of children splashing in the water. “So carefree.”
“Carefree,” she echoed, her voice tinged with bitterness. “Must be nice.” Her gaze drifted to their son, Akash, who stood a few paces behind them, his eyes wide as he took in the chaos around him. His fingers fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, a habit that had grown more pronounced in recent months.
“Let’s just find a spot,” Pulkit replied, his tone clipped. “We can’t stay here all day.”
As they settled near the ghat, the chanting grew louder, drowning out the silence that had settled between them. They exchanged a glance, a shared understanding of the growing weight of their decision.
“Pulkit,” Ragini began, her voice shaking slightly. “Are we really—”
“We have to,” he interrupted, the determination in his eyes hardening. “It’s for the best.”
Hours passed, the sun dipping lower, casting long shadows on the ground. Ragini watched as Pulkit knelt beside Akash, who was now fixated on a butterfly fluttering nearby. “Hey, buddy,” Pulkit said, his voice softer than before. “Want to chase that?”
Akash didn’t respond, lost in his world. Ragini felt a pang in her heart but quickly pushed it away. They were here for a reason, after all.
“We should go,” Pulkit said, rising to his feet. “It’s time.”
“Pulkit, I—”
“Ragini, we’ve talked about this.” He took a deep breath, his brow furrowed. “We can’t keep pretending everything is fine.”
With a heavy heart, they turned their backs on their son, leaving him by the ghat. “I’ll be right back, Akash,” Pulkit called over his shoulder, though he didn’t look back.
As they walked away, Ragini felt the weight of their decision settle in her chest like a stone. The laughter and chanting faded into a dull thrum, replaced by the sound of her heartbeat.
Later, as they listened to the preachings of a saint, a shift occurred. The saint’s voice boomed through the crowd, reverberating deep within Ragini. “Love is the greatest sacrifice,” he proclaimed. “To abandon those we love is to abandon our very souls.”
Pulkit stiffened beside her. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes!” she whispered, her heart racing. “We need to go back.”
They rushed back to the ghat, but the crowd had thickened, and panic set in as their eyes searched frantically. “Akash!” Ragini called, her voice rising above the chaos. “Where are you?”
“Stay calm,” Pulkit urged, though his voice trembled. “He can’t have gone far.”
Hours turned into days, and the relentless search for their son felt like a nightmare from which they could not wake. Each day, they returned to the ghat, calling his name until their voices were hoarse.
“Why did we leave him?” Ragini sobbed one evening, her tears mixing with the river’s water as she knelt by the bank. “What have we done?”
Pulkit sank to the ground beside her, his own eyes brimming with regret. “I thought I was doing the right thing,” he murmured, his voice breaking.
“Where is he?” She cried, her heart shattered. “What if—what if he’s alone and scared?”
They were lost in their remorse, the vibrant colours of the Mela fading into a blur of sorrow. The river flowed steadily beside them, indifferent to their pain, as they clung to the hope that somehow, some way, they would find their son again.
Photo Courtesy – Mr Rajesh Balouria by Pixabay
Short-story
Triumph of Connection

Short Stories – Kumbh Series
Rutbik Gupta
Bilaspur, Chattisgarh
Writer attended a Creative Writing Course by Takhte Writers and Publishers
The Kumbh Mela pulsed with life, colours swirling like a painter’s palette. Krish and Shreya squeezed through the throngs of pilgrims, their parents trailing behind, eyes wide with wonder. The air buzzed with chants, the scent of incense thick around them.
“Look at all those people!” Shreya shouted, her voice barely rising above the chaos. “I feel like we are in a river of heads!”
“Just stay close,” Krish replied, his grip tightening around her hand. “We can’t lose each other here.”
Suddenly, a small voice broke through the din. “Mama! Papa!” A boy, no older than six, stood alone, tears streaking his dusty cheeks. Krish’s heart sank.
“Shreya, we have to help him,” he said, kneeling to the boy’s level. “What’s your name?”
“Teerth,” he sniffled, wiping his nose on his sleeve. “I can’t find my parents!”
“Don’t worry, Teerth. We’ll help you,” Shreya promised, her voice softening. “Where did you last see them?”
“By the river… I was looking at the fish,” Teerth whimpered, glancing around, panic rising. “They were right there!”
“Okay, follow us,” Krish said, standing tall, determination setting in. “We’ll find them.”
They moved through the crowd, the rhythm of drums and chants echoing around them. Krish scanned each face, searching for a hint of recognition. Shreya whispered encouragement to Teerth, who clung to her hand.
“Look!” Shreya pointed, spotting a frantic couple searching through the crowd. “Teerth, is that them?”
Teerth’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Mama! Papa!” He bolted towards them, the sound of his small feet hitting against the ground.
Krish and Shreya exchanged relieved glances, hearts racing. The couple raised Teerth into their arms, tears streaming down their faces.
“Thank you! Thank you!” the mother cried, her voice breaking.
“Thank you so much, children. You’ve been our saviour”, said the father, with teary-eyed.
“No problem,” Krish said, a smile breaking through the tension. “Just doing what’s right.”
As the family embraced, Krish and Shreya shared a knowing glance. The chaos of Kumbh Mela swirled around them, but at that moment, they felt the triumph of connection.
Photo Courtesy – Mr Rajesh Balouria by Pixabay
Short-story
Fury of Tomato

Advika Bhatnagar
Shikshantar School, Gurugram
Grade 3
Alice, a nine-year-old boy, lived in the countryside of Tinseltown with his Granny. He was a stubborn and edgy child. He liked to eat whatever he wanted and didn’t care much about Granny’s words. This made the old lady very sad.
“Granny, Granny, hunger pangs! I want pizza and chocolate ice cream for dinner,” said Alice
“Wait, child, I’m making delicious chicken soup, healthy multigrain bread, and a fresh salad,” answered Granny.
Alice got angry when he saw salad on the dining table. He yelled, “Again, cucumber, bell pepper, carrot, and tomato. Is that what I will eat? “No, no, no, never, not at all. No dinner tonight.” Granny got worried and left the house to get his favourite food.
Alice was all alone. In anger, he picked up the tomato and threw it at the wall. The red pulp of the tomato almost covered the mid-wall. He was shocked to see the pulp turning into a monster.
“Ha, Ha, Ha, you stubborn boy. Every day I see you trouble your Granny for food. When you hit me against the wall today, I felt hurt. I will teach you a lesson. I am the new king of vegetables. I rule the meals,” said the tomato monster. And then the monster followed him everywhere in the room.
Alice was so scared that he was running in different directions. Sitting under the table, he quietly prayed, “Oh God, please save me from this deadly monster.”
Alice rushed to his Granny’s room, wears her hat and robe. He picks up the embroidered, favourite napkin of the Granny and moves slowly towards the wall. He wipes the tomato pulp, and the monster disappears right away.
Alice gets the lesson of his life to value all food. He vows to take care of Granny, as her belongings protect him. When she was back, he hugged her and said, “I love you so much. I will eat whatever you cook for me.”
The writer attended Takhte Writers & Publishers’ Story Writing Writeshop at Kalasthali, Gurugram.
Photo Courtesy – Andre Taissin (xRUJcUTEp6Y) Unsplash
-
Uncategorized2 years ago
Online Elocution Contest
-
Legal Talks4 years ago
CUSTODIAL RAPE IN LIGHT OF THE MATHURA GANG RAPE CASE
-
Poems4 years ago
Poems
-
Poems3 years ago
India-Ireland Poetry Fest
-
Legal Talks4 years ago
Compliances Relating to the Commercialization of Electronic Devices
-
Art & Culture4 years ago
The Lore of the Days of Yore: Significance of History
-
Legal Talks4 years ago
Privacy Laws & Consent while using Image of Random People Clicked on Street for Facial Recognition
-
Short-story4 years ago
Bibek’s visit at his friend’s bungalow