Highly Commended Story - The Magic Of Imagination

“The Magic Of Imagination” by Juee Prasad Deshmukh, Bhavan’s Bhagwandas Purohit Vidyamandir, Chichbhuvan Branch, Nagpur, India, is the Highly Commended story in the sub-junior category of the second biannual Short Story Contest 2020.

Juee is an eight-year-old girl who lives in Nagpur, India. She is in second standard at Bhavan’s Bhagvandas Purohit Vidyamandir, Chinchbhuvan, Nagpur. She likes to follow the rules and is liked by her teachers and peers as well. She loves to sing, dance, play piano, learn new languages and read. She likes to play with her younger twin sisters and take care of them. Malala Yousafzai is her idol. She wants to make this world free of violence and spread happiness. When she grows up, she wants to become a scientist and solve problems of global warming faced by mankind.

The Magic Of Imagination

“But daddy... you promised us and now you are backing off... not fair!” Said Aarya irritably.

“I can’t help it dear... the corona monster is all set to eat us all up if we go out… I promise to make it up to you when is all back to normal again.” dad tried to pacify.

With all their dreams of long-awaited summer vacation shattering away, three little girls left the room angry and frustrated.

Aarya along-with her twin little sisters Ira & Mira were daddy’s apple of eye. He played with them, read wonderful stories, had meals together and looked after them passionately. He took them to fun places in their favourite car named ‘Ertu’ stuffing it to the full with toys, food items and what not! They went to forests, beaches and mountains and stayed in wonderful resorts enjoying swimming, dancing and all fun activities. Dad was their superhero and rightly so.

Tragedy struck when a bad virus hit the world, that they called ‘corona’ which made people very sick and sometimes lose their life too. It was very scary situation. People could not go out, meet each other. Everyone was locked out at homes for safety.

Three little sisters were no exception to this making them very sad. The house earlier abuzz with their chattering fell silent now. Mom could not see their gloomy faces anymore and came out with a plan. “Flight no AI-566 to Singapore is ready for departure. All passengers are requested to board immediately” she announced. Three little sisters peeked from their room unbelievably to see what is happening outside. To their surprise mom had made a make-shift plane with dining chairs!! They sat down on those chairs in a row waiting for the next instructions from their mom cum tour guide cum airhostess…! on their big smart TV came a video of their earlier plane trip.. their faces lit up with a smile and eyes were filled with anticipation of what is next. Mom served their favourite strawberry milkshake on board this imaginary plane along-with chocolate cookies. As mom announced the landing of flight she started the next video of Singapore’s famous Changi airport tour...! “Mommy this is amazing” exclaimed Ira as she started taking selfie on her toy phone near the smart TV, imagining as if she is on real airport. Next followed a river cruise, a trip to garden by the bay, Sentosa island and all the fabulous places in and around Singapore. While the girls enjoyed their virtual tour, mom served them their favourite hot yummy noodles and cupcakes too. Mira said “Mommy we love you” as she gulped her favourite cupcake. They were on top of their world forgetting all about corona monster and enjoyed their surprise trip to the fullest. When dad came back home at night and saw all girls happy and chirpy again, he took a sigh of relief and hugged them all.

“Daddy we are sorry for nagging you, do you know... now we don’t have to cancel our vacation plans, we can travel the world and infact all universe at the click of the button.. mom taught us today!” said Aarya with loads of excitement in her twinkling eyes.

The girls had learnt their lesson: When life gives you lemons... make a lemonade!!