INDEPENDENCE DAY QUIZ

The students of Sundervan School were buzzing with excitement.

- Bimal Raval

The week-long Independence Day celebrations had been announced, filled with various competitions and cultural activities. Among them, a quiz competition caught everyone’s attention—especially Danny donkey’s.

Principal Elmo elephant had declared that the quiz would be a team event, and only pairs could participate. Danny was eager to join, but sadly, no one was willing to be his partner.

When Danny approached Billy monkey, he didn’t just refuse—he humiliated him.

“Are you out of your mind, Danny?” Billy laughed loudly. “This is a quiz! It’s for intelligent animals, not donkeys!”

The whole class burst into laughter.

Danny’s ears drooped. Though hurt by the mockery, he quietly walked away without saying a word.

During recess, Danny found Rocky dog in the hallway and asked if he’d be willing to partner with him.

Rocky shrugged and said, “Danny, this isn’t a race or weightlifting contest. It’s a quiz. You know ... donkeys aren’t exactly known for their brains.”

Once again, Danny was dismissed—this time more politely, but the words still stung.

Trying to stay hopeful, Danny replied, “But intelligence is not about species. It’s about individual abilities.”

Just then, Ronnie rabbit walked by and overheard them. “Danny, you should read more storybooks,” he chuckled. “Almost every foolish character in animal stories is a donkey. It's just the way it is.”

Danny couldn’t bear it anymore. Humiliated and heartbroken, he ran off to the lake and sat silently, watching the water ripple in the fading sunlight.