Tanya was the only child of wealthy parents. They loved their daughter and gave her the best of everything.
Tanya ate delicious food, wore lovely clothes and lived in a big spacious house. She had a beautiful room, which was full of dolls, toys, picture-books and everything else that a young girl could possibly want. At school, her bag and stationery set were the envy of her classmates. Whenever an entertaining film was showing in town, Tanya’s parents took her to see it. “What wonderful parents you have, Tanya!” exclaimed her friends.
Tanya knew that she was a lucky girl, but she was lonely. When her friends came home to play with her, she was cheerful and lively, but as soon as they left she missed their company. She would often sit on her garden wall with her pet cat Milky beside her.
Tanya’s parents knew that their daughter was sad and longed to see her happy. A few days before her birthday, they informed her that they had a grand surprise in store for her. It was one, they told her, which would give her much pleasure and was timed to arrive on her special day.
A surprise
Tanya was not excited. She thought she was probably getting the dress her parents had recently seen in a shop window. Tanya had not been with them, but they had told her about the pink frilly frock, adorned with silver lace. It would be perfect, said her mother, for Tanya to wear at her birthday party.
Tanya smiled wanly, trying to look enthusiastic. She loved her parents and did not want to hurt their feelings by telling them how tired she was of their presents.
She felt she had far too many good things already. Besides, what use were her numerous possessions when they could not be shared with anyone, except now and then?
As usual, Tanya’s party was a great success. After her guests had left, Tanya decided to catch up with some homework. She had hardly begun when her parents entered her room. “Tanya, your surprise is here,” announced her mother, as her father gave her a grin. Tanya got up from her chair to receive her gift, but there was no brightly wrapped parcel in sight.
Suddenly, Tanya noticed the child standing between her parents. He was so small and still that she had not noticed him earlier. “This is Varun,” said Tanya’s father. “He has no one to look after him, so we are now his family and this will be his home.” He will share your games and lessons.”
With a cry of joy, Tanya rushed towards the little boy, almost knocking him down. As she hugged him tightly, she knew that with a younger brother in her life she would never be lonely again.
