The Secret Picnic

Eleven-year-old Mukul was very happy.

- Vandana Gupta

He was staying at his uncle's house, and he got along well with his cousin Deepak. However, Deepak's younger sister, Neena, was a little naughty and mischievous, but both the boys loved her dearly.

Their uncle's house was surrounded by trees, and just a short distance away was a hilly terrain and forest. The area was lush and green.

One day, Mukul said, “Deepak, why don't we go for a picnic in the forest?”

He'd always wanted to go but never had the courage to go alone.

“I've felt like it many times, too,” Deepak said. “But I never went because I knew if Neena found out, she'd insist on coming with us and cause trouble. Taking her to the forest wouldn't be a good idea.”

“Uncle and Aunty return home from the office by seven o'clock. We'll be back before that. But what do we do about Neena?” Mukul asked.

“We'll sneak out. If she asks, we'll say we're going to play a match. Anyway, these days she's busy playing with the neighbour's baby and Pushpa has been “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go tomorrow,” Mukul said, finalizing the plan.

While packing food and picnic supplies the next day, Deepak asked, “What if we lose our way in the forest?”

Mukul thought for a moment and said, “Let’s take some chalk with us. We can mark circles on the tree trunks along the way. That way, we can find our way back.”

“Wow, great idea! Tomorrow’s going to be so much fun,” Deepak said excitedly.

But neither of them knew that Neena was hiding under the bed at that very moment and had heard their entire conversation.