My much awaited award winning story finally out in the May issue of "The Children's Magazine"
The Unforgettable Birthday
Sitting alone on a park bench, where his father usually made him sit, Golu was watching Ashu and his friends play cricket. Suffering from polio, he was unable to accompany his father who sold balloons for their daily bread. Golu was unable to walk but whenever ball came in his direction, he collected and threw it back towards Ashu.
By noon, all boys except Ashu had left, who was waiting for Golu’s father to return. Ashu came upto Golu and asked, “Your father has not returned. It’s very late”
“Oh…….It’s Sunday and he might have gone a little farther to sell the balloons” Golu answered in faint voice.
“My father will gift a new bicycle on my birthday tomorrow” Ashu gladly broke the news to Golu. “Oh……Very nice” Golu could hardly express any happiness with his parched tongue.
He glanced at his fragile feet and murmured in faint voice, “My best wisheson your birthday. So we will not meet tomorrow evening”
Ashu noticed Golu’s father coming their way. “I must leave now. I would love if you join me for my birthday party”
Ashu was moved by Golu’s plight. He came back home with a heavy heart.
Next morning when his father asked him, “So Ashu which colour you will prefer for your bicycle”
Ashu narrated the entire incident of Sunday morning and started weeping.
Next evening Ashu was carrying his friend Golu on a new wheel chair. They were going to celebrate Ashu’s birthday at his home.
Dr. Manjari Shukla

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