Pinki's Dream

Ten-year-old Pinki, a student of class four, woke up early in the morning and greeted her grandfather with a bright smile.

- Rekha Shah Arabi

Her cheerful smile brought a smile to her grandfather Sharan ji's face as well.

Since childhood, Pinki's parents had taught her that one must greet elders warmly upon waking up. This habit had become a part of her upbringing. Among all her family members, her grandfather was her favourite. He would always listen to her with full attention and understand even her most nonsensical stories.

Sharan ji loved his granddaughter dearly. Seeing her innocent smile made him love her even more. He affectionately made her sit on his lap and asked, “My dear Pinki, your face is glowing this morning. What’s the matter?”

Pinki replied, “Grandpa, I had a dream today—a very beautiful dream.”

“Oh really? So, what did my little princess dream about?”

Pinki said, “Grandpa, in my dream, I was standing in a garden. There was greenery all around, with plants blooming with lovely flowers. Rabbits were running around, and tiny birds were chirping on the trees.”

“Oh wow, you saw all this in your dream?”

“Wait, Grandpa, there’s more. Listen further.”

“How long was this dream?”

“A very long dream. Listen, it was a very clean and fragrant place, and there was a fairy walking there. She was dressed in white, shining like silver, and she had wings. Butterflies were perched on her hands, and she was talking to them sweetly. There was also a swing decorated with flowers. Grandpa, I didn’t want to leave that dream, but then I woke up because Mumma woke me up for school,” Pinki explained, sulking in disappointment.