The celebration for Meena’s birthday was not over. She had received a lot of gifts. But, she was most excited about opening the gift from Anjana, her best friend. Her parents said, “After the party Meena”.
As soon as the party was over, Meena rushed upstairs taking all her gifts to her room. She opened Anjana’s gift first. It was a pretty, green frock with red flowers on it. Meena did not like the dress. She liked all the other gifts. However, her parents liked the dress very much. They asked her to wear the dress and look at herself in the mirror. But she did not listen to her mother, as she was disappointed with Anjana’s gift.
A few days later, Meena and her parents were attending her aunt’s wedding reception. Meena’s parents asked her to wear the frock Anjana had given her, but Meena did not wish to wear it. Instead, she wore a frock her favourite cousin Sania had given her on her birthday. Her parents were fed up with her so they said, “OK, your choice”.
When they entered the reception hall, everyone stared at Meena. She thought, “Why is everyone looking at me like that?”
Then one family friend said, “It is a strange frock you have worn. It doesn’t look nice on you. That is why everyone is looking at you like that.” Meena was sad. When she returned home she promised her parents to obey them and wear the frock gifted by Anjana for the next party.
Another day, Meena was off to attend friend’s birthday party. She wore the frock given to her by Anjana. When she arrived at the party, all her friends and their parents looked at her in wonder. Everyone asked her, “From where did you buy this frock Meena?”
Meena said, “It’s Anjana’s birthday gift to me.”
Everyone asked Anjana where she had bought it from. Anjana said, “It’s from Civic Store at North End. Why do you ask?”
They said, “Because it is very pretty. Meena is looking prettier than ever in that frock. We also want to buy it.”
When she got home, Meena rushed to her room and looked in the mirror. She did look pretty and beautiful in the dress. She told her mother, “Mom, when I saw the dress it is not look beautiful, but when I wear it I look gorgeous.”
Meena’s mom smiled and nodded. From then onwards Meena loved the frock and thanked Anjana for the wonderful gift.
Namita Vinod, IV C, Bhavans Adarsha Vidyalaya, Kakkanad, Kochi.
