Bread Butter

"Hey, let's quickly gather under the peepal tree with our lunch boxes!" Neha exclaimed when she heard the bell ring for recess.

- Ruchi Gontia

"Yes, yes, lets go quickly; otherwise, someone else might take our spot, and then we'll have to sit under the sun and eat like yesterday," Swati said, holding her lunch box.

Lunch break is significant, as kids feel the love of their mothers when they open their lunch boxes.

The tender hands cherish delicious and nutritious food prepared by their mothers, who have worked in the kitchen and wish that their children finish their entire lunch. Mothers worry about whether children have enough food to eat lest they remain hungry.

But every child's fate is not the same.

"Come on, Ketan! Join us," Rishabh said to Ketan, who was sitting quietly.

Seeing everyone so enthusiastic about their lunch boxes, he had hidden his face so they wouldn't insist on him joining. He didn't want them to see that his lunch was the same as the day before.

"No, you guys go, I'll eat here," replied Ketan.

"Oh, come on! Won't it be fun with us?" Rishabh insisted.

"I'm good eating here," Ketan too insisted.

Ketan had been at the school for just a year. His father and mother had to move from Jabalpur to Raipur.

Things weren't going well for his father, and after many difficulties and several months of sitting at home, he finally found a job in another city.

His mother took charge of the household and conducted math tuition every morning and evening. Ketan and his sister had just joined the new school.

Ketan was everyone's favourite at school.

Equally good at studies and activities, he listened to every lecture attentively and made notes.

Among all the students, he had a unique spark that everyone loved.

Not wanting to upset his friends, Ketan reluctantly joined them for lunch.

"Take your lunch box," said Swati.