The Gift of Giving
Once upon a time, in a small village located between lush green hills, lived a young boy named Kunal. He was full of energy and curiosity, exploring every corner of the village. Kunal lived with his family, which included his father Rahul, his mother Priya and his elder sister Yashna. They were a simple family, full of love, but like many others in the village, they faced their part of challenges.
Rahul worked as a carpenter, spending long hours each day crafting furniture for the villagers. He was diligent and skilled, but no matter how hard he worked, he could barely manage to provide for the family’s basic needs. Luxuries were a distant dream, and though he tried his best, Rahul often worried about how he could make his wife and children happy. His wife Priya, while caring and devoted, had always craved for a more comfortable life. She dreamed of royalty, fine clothes and a large house, hoping that someday Rahul could fulfil her desires. Kunal, being just a boy, didn’t fully understand the struggles his father faced, but he could see the worry in Rahul’s eyes. Yashna, his elder sister, was more aware of the family’s circumstances. Despite the modest life they lived, Yashna remained optimistic. She often comforted her father and took care of Kunal, telling him stories of bravery and kindness.
One afternoon, Kunal was playing in the village park when something unusual caught his eye. Hidden beneath a patch of grass was a small, shiny object. He dug it out and held it up to the sunlight—a beautiful marble, unlike any he had ever seen. It shimmered with all the colours of the rainbow, glowing softly in his hands.
Excited, Kunal ran to his sister to show her the mysterious object. Yashna took one look at the marble and knew something was different about it. Her eyes widened in surprise and she said, “Kunal, this isn’t just any marble. There’s something special about it.” Filled with enigma, they decided to take the marble to a family friend who was known for her knowledge of rare objects and magical tales. The family friend, an elderly woman named Meera, welcomed them warmly. After examining the marble for a few moments, she gasped. She said slowly, “This is no ordinary marble. It is a magic marble that can grant three wishes. You must be very careful in choosing your wishes, for once they are granted, they cannot be undone.”
Kunal and Yashna were stunned. They hurried home to tell their parents the incredible news. When Rahul and Priya heard the story, they were in disbelief at first, but soon they realised this could be the answer to all their problems. Rahul smiled for the first time in recent days, hoping that with the marble, he could finally make Priya’s dreams come true. Priya was overjoyed at the thought of living a royal life.
The family decided to take a walk together, discussing how they should use their wishes wisely. As they walked through the village, they came across a little boy sitting by the roadside with his mother. The mother looked weak, her leg crippled, and the boy was begging for alms to get food for the day. Kunal tugged at his father’s hand, his heart heavy with sympathy. “Dad, can we help them?”
Rahul looked at the marble in his hand, and then at the boy and his mother. He knew that they could use the wish for their own gain, but his heart softened. Priya, who had longed for wealth, looked at the mother and son. In that moment, her heart too melted. She nodded to Rahul, signalling him to make their first wish. Rahul held the marble in his hands and whispered, “I wish for this boy and his mother to have a good life, free from poverty and suffering.”
In an instant, the marble glowed brightly and before their eyes, the boy and his mother stood up, transformed. The woman’s leg was healed and they were dressed in clean, new clothes. They thanked Rahul and his family with tears in their eyes and left to begin their new life.
