Magical Lentils

In Nashik, lived a boy named Arjun.

- Amrita Goswami

Arjun studied in the fourth grade and was always eager to learn new things. He loved going to the fields where his grandfather grew lentils, and he felt very happy watching the lush green crops. Despite this, Arjun absolutely disliked eating daal. Whenever his mother cooked daal at home, Arjun would make excuses about not feeling hungry and would instead eat biscuits.

One day, an announcement was made at Arjun's school: “Children! Two days from now, on Tuesday, February 10th, it is World Pulses Day. We will organise a competition in which all children prepare an activity related to pulses or daal. You may give a speech about the benefits of daal, tell a story or make a drawing or a model.”

All the children became excited when they heard about the competition. But Arjun grew thoughtful. What should I say? Should I admit that I don't like daal at all? No ... everyone will make fun of me.

When Arjun arrived at home later that day, his grandmother noticed his gloomy face and asked, “Arjun, what happened? Why do you look so sad?”

Arjun replied, “Grandma! There’s a competition at school, and I have to write a story about lentils.”

Grandma knew very well that Arjun didn’t like lentils and often avoided eating them. She smiled gently and said, “Arjun, do you know that lentils have a special kind of magic?”

Arjun’s eyes lit up.

“Would you like to see the magic of lentils?” his grandma asked.

“Magic?” he asked. “Do lentils really have magic? Wow! I love magic! I want to see how they perform magic!”