It's Good to Share by Vaishali Shroff

One day Sudha came home from work with four more bags other than her own office bag.

“Sameer and Meera, I’m home!” she called out to her kids as she removed her sandals by the door and put them in the shoe rack.

“Here mom, let me help you with the bags,” said Sameer, as he ran down the winding stairs into the hall. Meera climbed down the stairs one step at a time.

“No sweetie, I am fine. Thanks!” replied Sudha.

“But then why do you have so many bags today? Have you got a surprise?” asked a beaming Meera.

“Oh no, baby! Tomorrow is Independence day and we have a charity program at work. These are clothes, books, and toys for some children whose parents cannot afford to pay for them,” said Sudha.

“Cannot afford? What does afford mean, mom?” Sameer asked Sudha.

“I mean they do not have the money to pay school fees or buy books and toys.” replied Sudha.
“You mean they don’t go to school? But Papa said all children must go to school, right?” asked Meera.

“Yes darling, they don’t go to school. That’s why we are going to help them!” said Sudha, as she stacked the bags in one corner of the hall.

“But do you know these children, mom?” asked Sameer, getting curious.

“I don’t know them. But sweetheart, sometimes it’s good to share and help if it makes others happy. Now, how about a sandwich and some orange juice!” said Sudha as she walked into the kitchen to fix Sameer and Meera some snack.

“Can I help you, mom? I got two rupees in my piggy bank,” said Meera, as she stood before Sudha, handing out her two rupees.

Sudha smiled. She hugged both Sameer and Meera for being so kind and said that they need not worry. That she had got enough clothes, books, and toys for the children.

That night Sameer and Meera did not get sleep. They popped their heads out of their blanket and looked at each other.

“I think we must help the children. But how would we help them?” Sameer asked Meera, as he sat up on his bed.

“How about giving some of our toys to them!” said Sameer. My two Hot Wheels cars, a ball, and a clay dough set. A colouring book too!”

“But my toys will miss me if I give them away, Sameer. I love my teddy and doll,” said Meera, as she held her favourite teddy and doll tightly in her arms.

“Yes, Meera, I’m sure your toys love you a lot. But if you share them with others, they will love you more!” Sameer told Meera as he looked into his toy shelf to see what else he could give.

Meera’s eyes twinkled. “OK, I will give my toys too. But we need to clean and fix them and make them look like new before we give them away. One of my teddy’s eyes is lost and my doll’s dress could do with some stitching.”

“Yes, I could clean my cars and neatly pack the clay dough” said Sameer. “Then let’s get started.”

Sameer and Meera were excited about their new mission. They got their old toys out – a one-eyed teddy, a winking doll, cars, a ball, clay dough, a doodle pad, and a set of colouring books. Meera stuck the eye on the teddy and glued the doll’s dress. She then wiped them clean with a wet tissue to make them look like new! Sameer too got his toys and books together and put them in a bag.

Next morning as Sudha was about to leave for work, Sameer and Meera gave the bag to their mother. On the bag was a small note that read “With love, from Sameer and Meera”.

Sudha looked confused. What could be in that bag, she thought.

“What’s this, kids?” asked Sudha.

“These are some of our toys and books for the children.” said Sameer, as he handed over the bag to Sudha.
Sudha looked very surprised. And happy too!

“That is so sweet! But are you good with giving away your favourite toys to other children?” she asked Sameer and Meera, as she looked into the bag.

“Mom, you said it’s good to share and help if it makes others happy. Our toys will make other children happy, right?” asked Meera.

Sudha had tears in her eyes as she hugged both Sameer and Meera.

“Of course your toys will make them happy. You have done a wonderful thing today,” said Sudha to the kids as she walked out of the door with one more bag of toys and books to give to the children.

About these ads