The Case of a Missing Cookie

Meera was ten years old and a couple of years older than Mayur, her brother.

- Sudha Vijay

Though they loved each other very much, sometimes quarrels and arguments were part of their daily routine. We can say that in their household, fights were as common as a morning tea.

Most of their fights started as minor disputes and then became major and bigger.

When they agreed on something, it was good and peaceful around the home.

When they didn't, their loud voices could be heard even from outside their house.

"Mine!" and "Never!" echoed through the room.

One evening, when they returned from their school, the fresh smell of food wafted in the air.

Mayur sniffed the air and said, "Wow! Mom has prepared something nice!" Meera snickered. "Stop thinking about food all the time and prepare for your maths test tomorrow.'

Mayur replied, "I am all prepared. I just need some revision." Meera scoffed at him just as their mother entered the room and placed a plate of cookies on the dining table.

Meera and Mayur said at once, "Chocolate cookies!" "I prepared these cookies today," their mother said proudly. "Now let me know how they taste." Mayur ran to the table, but a stern stare from his mother made him run to his room to change his uniform and freshen up first. Meera giggled while Mayur glared at her. After some time, they ate a few cookies with hot milk.

"It's yummy!" said both of them. A couple of days later, Mayur asked their mother, "Are there any cookies left?" "Only two cookies are left," their mother said. "One for you and another for Meera." Meera had gone out to play, so Mayur ate his cookie happily. Later that evening, Meera went to get her cookie but found the jar empty.