“ Enter  the  aphotic  forest  at  12 :00 am  and  prove  that  you  are  not  terrified  of  ghosts.” Alex  said as  arrogantly as  a raged  dog. “ Okay,  then  . I’ll  meet  you  over  there  at 12 :00 am  tonight,” saying  this  we  both  departed  for  our  abodes.
Time flew like  a bird and  we  met  at  the forest  at midnight. “ Hey ! You  are  here,”  said  Alex  in  a  quivering  voice.  He  appeared  timid. “  Why  are  you  scared,  my  friend.  I  am   there  with  you.”  I said  in  a proud  manner. So  we  both  entered  the  atramentous  forest.  I  could  hear  the  wolf’s  howling,  owl’s  hooting , grisly  crows  cawing  and  many  other  strange  voices.  Then  out  of nowhere  jumped  a  dead  mouse  full  of  blood. Out of  fear,  Alex  ran  faster than  a racer  leaving  me  alone.  I proceeded  with  my  journey,  my  heart  pounding like a  time  bomb  against my  chest.  I  came  across  a lady  with  a  weird  face,  wearing  a plain  white  dress.  Her  legs  were  turned  upside  down  and she  was  approaching  me.  I  panicked  and  was  about  to  sprint  in  the  opposite  direction  when  I  spotted  some  prodigious  spiders  running  towards me.  I  was  being  attacked  from  both  sides and  had  absolutely  no  chance of  escaping  so   I  had  to  surrender.  I let  out  a  strident  bellow.
In  the blink  of an  eye,  I  heard  voices  calling  my  name.  I slowly  got  up from  my  slumber  and  saw  my mother trying  to  wake  me up.  I  realized that  I  was  having  a nightmare.  I  heaved  a  sigh  of  relief.  This  dream  was  wicked  and  evil  and  it  made  me  start  believing in  abominable  ghosts.
On  my  way to  school,  I met  Alex. He  told  me, “ See you  at  the  forest  tonight !” My  blood ran  cold

By  Aakrit

​A sublime  day  unfolded  as the  incandescent  sun  beamed  like  a  sapphire  through  the  velutinous  sky.  The Earth  bathed  in  a  warm  rosy  glow  as   the pristine  clouds  fluttered  just  like  a  plethora  of  butterflies  chasing  each  other  in  the  elephantine  sky.  

The  golden  fingers  beamed  luminously  across  the  boundless  sky  and  another day  commenced  for  Jack  as  he  woke  up  with  a  jerk.  He  stretched  his  arms  and  legs  and  geared up  for  school  that was a stone’s  throw  away.  A wave  of  disconsolation swept  through  his mind  as  he  realized  that  today  was  a practice  mock  exam  for  his  final  exam  of  the  12th  grade.  All  these  years   that  have  passed by  of  Jack  going  to  school  and  giving  tests  and  exams,  he  has  failed  miserably.  No  one  lends  him  a  helping  hand  as  he  has failed  twice  and  no  one  has  ever  taken  the  efforts  to  understand  his feelings  and  emotions.  Jack  took  the  bus  and  headed  towards  the  school.  He was  already  delayed  due to  heavy traffic  jam  around  his  area  and  he  was  used  to  getting  punishments  for this.  By now,  it  was just  normal  for Jack,  He didn’t  obey  his  teachers  and had  close  to  no  respect  for  his  parents.  He arrived  and  stood  outside  his  classroom  for  20  minutes.  After he  came  inside,  he  quickly  started  to  pen  his  test  and  like   always  he  was  flummoxed  by  the  arduous  paper.  He  was  jubilant  and  didn’t  care  about  it  as  it  was just  a  practice  paper,  however  he  had  realised  that  it  was  a  must  for  him  to  do  well  and pass  with  flying  colours  in  the  final  exam  that  was  just  a  few  months  later.  He  had  no  one  to help  him  and  he was  in  desperate  need.  The  mock  exam   was  over  and  he  had  made  up his  mind  to ask  one of  his  classmate  named  Alex  to  lend  him  a helping  hand  for  the  final  examination.  Just  before  he  could  ask  him, Alex  came  to  Jack  and  assured  him  that  everyday  after  school,  he  would  study  with  him  for  the  exams.  Jack  was  on  cloud  nine.  He  was  confident  and  trusted  Alex  as  he  was  one  of  the  most ingenious  students  in  his class.  That  day , Jack  went  back  home  in  ebullience  and  buoyancy  and  in  full  hope  for  tomorrow.  He  had amde  a solemn  vow  to  mend his  ways  and  turn  into  a  new  leaf. He  had  agonized  his  parents  by  failing  in  a  wide  array  of examinations but  this  was  a golden  opportunity  for  Jack  to  prove himself  by  burning  the midnight oil.  The  night passed  by  and  Jack  was  awake  planning  his  schedules  of academics.  The  next day passed  and  Alex  met  Jack  after  school.  They started  to prepare  for  the  exams. They  were  completing  the  portion  faster and  also  studying together.  They  helped  each  other  if  one  was  in a  predicament.  Alex  left  no  stone  unturned  to  help  Jack.  During  that  month, they became  true  blue  comrades  and  Jack  was  closer  each  day  to  perform  well  in  exams  for his  future ahead.  Finally,  the  day  dawned   when  the  exams  were  held. Everyone  was  geared up  to  write  it  as  this  was  the   most  prime  exam. Jack  was  paralyzed  due  to  consternation  and his  heart  beat  like  a time bomb  against  his  chest.  Alex  was  confident  and  calmed  Jack.  Jack  for the  first  time  was  in fear  for  the  exams.  He  wrote the paper  dexterously  and  then  just  anticipated  for  the results  to come.  The  results   had   arrived  and  the  head master  of  the  school  announced  Jack’s  marks  first.  She   said, “  Improving  the most  this  year,  he  has  passed  with  marvellous results ,  his  name  is  Jack !”  Everyone  was appalled  and  appreciated  Jack.  Jack  proved  his  potential  to  all.  “ All  of  this  was  just  because  of  one  friend  that  arrived  like  an angel  in  my life,  that  person  is  , Alex !” exclaimed  Jack  in  his  last  few  words  of  his  speech  in front  of  the  entire school.
​

By Tahaa Mithiborwala

The  obsidian  canopy  dotted  with  a  flock  of  auroral  light  was  transformed  into  an  orange d streaked one  as  the  behemothic  orb  of  light  rose  and  spread  its  warm  and fulgent  rays  in  all  direction.  The  atramentous  sky  had  been  vanquished  and  replaced by  a  serene  blue  firmament hosting  of  a  myriad  of  flocculent  clouds  of  innumerable  shapes  and sizes  moving  torpidly.  The  vociferous shrieking  and  constant droning  of  my  alarm  pulled  me  out   of  my  deep  slumber  as  I drowsily  dressed  myself  and  whipped  up  a  small  plate  with  two  eggs  and  a  slice  of toast  as  my  means of  sustenance.
I  duly  noted   his  parent’s  absence, a  convention  that I  had  become  all  too  familiar  with  the  matters  of  urgency  associate  with  the  business  they  were  in.  I carried  out  several  household  chores  before clasping  my  phone  and  walking out  of  the  front  door  making  sure  everything  was safe  and  secure.

​My  grades  had  dipped  recently  and  my perfect  record  was  blemished  as a  result  of  the several  bad  influences  I  had acquired  through  the  acquaintances  through  middle  school.  I  simply  saw  life as a  monotonous  cycle  of studying  in  school,  coming  home  and  going  to  bed but  all  of  that  was about  to  change.......
As  I returned  home,  my  eyes  fell  upon  his door  hanging  ajar.  Vexation  started building  up  inside  me as  innumerable  thoughts  about  the  grave  situation  I  was in  ran  through  my  mind  at  the speed  of  light.  As  I walked  in,  I  was  distraught  to  see  the  house  in   complete  disarray  as  every  nook  and  cranny  had  been  ransacked in  order   to  find  something.  I  saw the marvellous  ebony  table in  our  dining  room  flipped  upside  down  and  adorned with  scratches  and  cuts  all  over.  I  saw the glass  panel  in  the  kitchen  lying  broken  into a  million  pieces resembling  a  gleaming mosaic  of  destruction.  My  beloved mother’s  precious  vase  was  found shattered  on  the  floor.  All  of  this  scenery  sent  affrighting  thoughts  racing  through  my  mind.  I  felt  like  a rudderless  ship  stranded  on  the  abject  waves  of  time.  My  heart  was   full  of remorse  as  I saw several  treasured  family  heirlooms  viciously  destroyed  .  Febrile  tears   scalded my  cheeks  and  perspiration  trickled  down  my  back  like  warm  soup  as  my  whole  body  flared  with  agonizing   pain- clouding  my  judgement greatly.  My  constant  bellowing  fell  on  deaf  ears  as  not  a single  noise  permeated the silence  that  this  void  of  sorrow  had  created.
After  a  while,  I  regained  my  composure  and  competently  began  scanning  my  house  for the  wretched  intruder.  After  searching  the  top  floor,  I  began treading  down  the stairs.  As  the  wooden  steps  creaked  incessantly,  I  felt  like  I  was being  submerged  deeper  and  deeper  into  a pit  of  nausea  and  dread.  Through  a gap  ,  I  caught a  glimpse  of   two individuals  tied to  a  chair while a  man  shrouded  by  black ski  mask  held  a  gun  to  their  head,  Alerted  by  the  creaking, the man  walked up  the  stairs.  He  towered  over  me  as  his  intimidating  frame  made  me  tremble  with  fear.  On  seeing  him,  I  darted  up  the stairs  and  ran  straight  to the  kitchen  to  better equip  myself.  Now  clasping  a  knife ,  I anxiously  awaited  the  man  but  a  wave  of  confusion  fell  over  me  as  I  felt  my  legs give  out  and  me crashing  down  onto  the floor.  I regained consciousness  to  myself bound  to  a  chair with  the ropes biting  into my  wrists as  a  pool  of  crimson  blood had  formed  on  the  ground. 
A  split second later,  I  felt  the  frigid  touch  of  cold  metal  press  against my  head.  Having  understood  what  it  was,  I  accepted  my  fate  and closed  my eyes. In my last  moments,  all  I  wanted  to remember was  my  parents.  As I  heard  a  bulled being  fired,  I was  astounded  as  I did  not  feel a  single shred  of  pain . On  opening  my  eyes,  I find  the  man lying on  the  floor  with  crimson  blood  jutting  out  of  his  body  like  it was  coming  through   a tap.  The  last  thing  I  saw  before   I  woke  up  in  the  hospital  was  my  mother caressing  me.
More  than  a year  later,  the memory  is  still  etched  in my  mind  as  it  strikes  me  ruthlessly in my  deep slumber  every day.  There  are  some days  where  sleep  eludes  me  and  I spend the  night  staring  into  the  white  ceiling  of my  room.
​​

By Vama.M

His  name  was  Alex,  is  what  I  heard  in  a rambled  up  conversation  at  school.  He was  known  for  his  pranks and  jokes  throughout  the  school  and  he  had a  copious  amount of comrades,  more  than  eager  to  hear  another  one  of   his  jokes  that  would make  one  holler  with l laughter.
He  was  a  new kid  and  had  just  joined  in  our  school.  It  so  happens  that  he’s  had  a  hidden  secret that  nobody  is cognisant of. It  all  commenced  the  day, I  found  him  wailing  his  heart  out  on  the  frigid  floor  in the  janitor’s  room.  I  had  woken  up  really  late  that  day causing  me  to  be  late  to school  and  miss  the first bell.  I  quickly carried  my  cumbrous books I n  my  sweaty  palms  and  sprinted  to  my  class. But  I  halted when  I  heard the  noise  of  a  sniffling  person  in the  janitor’s  room.
Who  could  that  be ?  My  heart  throbbed  faster  as  I  walked  towards the  janitor’s room  down.  I  was  already l ate  for  the  first  period  so it  wouldn’t matter if  I  was  a  few  more  minutes  late knowing  that  I’ll  have  detention  after  school  hours.  Without   letting  my  mind  wander  again, I  yanked  the  door  open  to  see  Alex. His  hands  were  quivering  and  his eyes  looked  bloodshot  and  a  myriad of  tears  streamed  down  his  face.
I  sat next  to  him  and  tried not to  stutter  as  I  asked  him, “A-are  you okay, Alex ?” He  didn’t  reply  but  continued  snivelling  incessantly. I  fished  my  phone out  of  my  pocket  and  called  my  beloved mother  letting her know  I  was missing  school  and  was  going  to  walk  Alex  home. He  quietly wiped  his  tears and  furiously  shook  his  head as if  to  say  ‘No’. I  took  his  hand in  mine and  to  my  utter  dismay,  I  realized  his  hands  were  bleeding profusely  and  that  his  throat  had  become  the  colour  of  puckish  green.  My  breath  faltered  as  I grabbed his  hands   as  gingerly as  I  could  and  tread all  the  way  to  the hospital.
In  a  rushed  tone,  I  told  nurse  whatever  I  could  think  of  that  could  have  happened  to  him. My  face  was  clouded  with  consternation  as  I waited  in  the  public  waiting  room  while  my  parents  rushed  to  the  hospital. My   parents  reached  and  my  mother  held  me  in her  sinewy  yet  dainty  hands  as  I  recounted  what  had  happened. My  father  let  the  information  sink   in  and  decided  that  he  would  manage the  hospital  bills.  My mother  claimed  to  hear  that  Alex’s  mother  happened  to  hurt him  frequently.
The  following  morning  was  a Saturday so I  would not  have  school. I  caprioled  out of  my  bed  and  hurriedly  rushed  to  the  hospital  to  check  upon Alex. The nurse  led  me to  the  room  and  I  discerned  him lying  on  his  bed limply.
As  he  saw  me he  broke into  a wide  grin  and  motioned  me  towards  a  note kept  on  the  side  desk.
I  picked  the paper  in my  hand  discreetly  and  read what  was  written  in  his  scrawny  handwriting :
I  know  you  will  want to  know  about what  happened. Infelicitously,  a  year  ago, my  dad left  my  mother  for  someone else. My mother  couldn’t  cope  with  the  abrupt  change and moved  here to  Texas. She  was  drowning in  despondency.  But  I guess,  it  was  too  much  pressure  for  her. She  commenced  drinking  and  became  violent  unleashed  her  vexation  on  me. I  was  terrified  whenever  she  would  be  in  an  inebriated state. Yesterday  she  coerced me  to  eat  smouldering  burning  coal  so that  I may never be  able  to  talk again  but my mother  is  in  custody now.  Till  I  get my  voice  back,  make  sure  to  make everyone  guffaw  till they  fall  off  their  seats. Thank you  for  helping me,  it meant a lot. XOXO Alex.
By the  time  I  finished   reading the  note,  tears  threatened  to  fall out of  my  eyes. Alex  gave  me  a soft  smile and  took  my  hand  in his  robust  hands  and  gave  it  a  squeeze  before  he  shut   his  eyes  and  fell  into  a deep  slumber.
So now  after  three months,  Alex  is  back  to normal  and  lives  with  his  aunt who  showers  him  with  unconditional love  and  takes  wonderful care  of  Alex. Alex  and I  have  become  quite  close  and I  can  never  stop  laughing. I  am  ebullient  and  exultant  that  now  Alex  can  achieve what he  wants  with  his  supportive  aunt  as  his  guardian.

The  coruscating  yellow  orb was  game  to  face   another  day  in  the  astronomical  sky  by  scorching the  Earth  mercilessly.  The  mud  danced  around  the  battlefield  as  John  prepared  for  the  repulsive  war.  The two  armies of  India  and  Pakistan combated  over  the  equal share  of  natural  resources.  John  was  a  valiant  and  vigilant  soldier  who  was   loyal  to  his  country – Pakistan. The  war  preluded  by  the  two  armies  gruesomely  killing  their  enemies. The  war  had  become  a  benchmark  for  bloodshed, hatred   and  animosity . John  proficiently  managed  to kill  a  handful  of  enemies from  India. As  the  war continued, John  was  left  aghast.  He was  like  a  cat  on  hot  bricks.  Fear  stroked  up  and  down  his  spine.  John   was  in  two  minds  while  he  discerned  his  enemy being his  long  lost  childhood  comrade.  Joseph and  John  were  true  blue  companions  until  misunderstandings and  disagreements  drifted  them  apart  with  time.  Joesphwas  now  in the Indian  Army  fighting  for  his  country.  John  andJoesph  were  vivacious  beholding  each  other  after  umpteen  years,  however,  a  decision  had  to be  made  by  John.  He  could  either fight  for  his  country  or  save  his  companions.
Joseph  was  injured  and  bellowed  in  agony. How  John  coveted  that  he  didn’t  recognize  Joseph! Infelicitously , if  John  didn’t  kill  Joseph, Pakistan  might  have  to  surrender . Taking  the  most  arduous  resolution  of  his  life ,  John  placed  the  gun  on  Joseph’s forehead. The raucous  and  unpleasant  cacophony  of  the  bullet  in  John’s  ears.  He  was  greeted  by melancholy  and  guilt  of  killing  Joseph. Disconsolation engulfed  him. The  discombobulating  decision  would  haunt  John  like  an  obstinate  ghost  for  eternity . Sorrowful  tears  wracked  his  body  as  a  new  spasm  of  agitation  overwhelmed  him.  Taking  a glance  at  Joseph, for  the  last  time, John  shrieked , “It’s not  folly , I did it for the country.” The  victory of  his  country  was   not invigorating  for  John  as  Joseph  had  bit  the  dust  and  bid  goodbye to  the world.

By  Samaira - Grade 1

Pollution has been a major problem in India. There are  a myriad  of pollution which man has caused like  Air pollution, water Pollution and Land pollution. Water is an Elixir of life. In the absence of water, living creatures can die without quenching their thirst. Water is utilised copious of way washing, cooking and drinking. Renowned rivers like Ganga painted the town red while it was in a exhilarating and pristine state. Nowadays they have been in gruesome state. Villages and towns which are a stone’s throw from the river or near the rivers, pollute the rivers by their regular chores of washing. Drinking and by throwing industrial waste. Air is too a crucial part of life of every living creature. Polluting air can cause myriad of perilous effects. Global warming is the main reason. One a wise man said that “Trees are the lungs of the Earth” by growing trees we can avoid air pollution. Threes take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. It is quite petrifying thought to discern Earth without a green cover. For the concern of Earth and to save Earth we must take a prompt action. It is said that “Action speaks louder than words ‘Saving our precious rivers and all water source we must clean them and persuade others from littering it.

By Sharvika - Grade 5

It was an atramentous night. The gleaming ball of fire bid goodbye to earth welcoming the glistening white art accompanied by a constellation of twinkling stars which are the crowning glory of the night. Frigid winds blew making the Earth as cold as ice. The ravishing birds flew into their puny nests to enjoy their leisure time. The yellow eyes of the wise owls looked like yellow sapphires in the dark night. It was as silent as a graveyard in our gargantuan building. My beloved father who was the apple of my eye was feeling under the weather as he caught a terrible cold. My benevolent mother had to take my father to town as there were extremely professional doctors in town and my father needed medical help. My finals were going on so I could not leave with my parents which meant I had to stay home, Alone !! I did not like the notion but having no choice, I agreed with a heavy heart. My beloved parents left immediately. Even though I was a cat on hot bricks, I was also zealous as I was home alone for the first time. I was now living in the lap of luxury and my parents were not there to tell me what to do. I sprinted toward the kitchen where there was a colossal box of delectable sweetmeats which i could finally eat all by myself. I grabbed the box and went to the hall where my digital television was placed. I had painted the town red by eating a whole lot of junk food and watching innumerable movies. I was thrilled that even after trying to grab precious winks on my downy sofa, I could not get some sleep even for a second.

My fabulous family celebrates Holi which is famously known as “Festival of colours” which pomp and gaiety. It is celebrated on 2nd March. We had a whole of a time playing Holi. We were on cloud nice playing with colours. We refrained from playing with water as it is crucial to save water. We had innumerable pockets of colours. After playing Holi we all were as filthy as pigs. We took a bath and felt as fresh as a daisy. It was the memorable Holi for me. I was as jubilant as a child in a candy store.
Convey my warm regards to your grandparents, parents and love to your appealing siblings. Hope to hear from you soon.

Your loving friend,
Mihir

That  meant  that  daddy  had  to lend  a  helping  hand  in  all  the household  chores. I leaped  like  a  frog  out of  my  cosy  bed   when  my  eyes  captured  the  sight  of  the  alarm clock.  The  alarm  clock  had  stopped  working  and  I  had  over slept.  I  was  in a pickle.  I  sprinted  as  quick  as  lightning  to  the  washroom  door.  At the  drop  of  the  hat,  I  was  out  like a  light  as  I  had  slipped  in  the  water,  with  my  head  banging  with  a  thud  on the  tiled  floor . After  two  or  three minutes  like  a  bolt  from  the  blue,  I  got  up and  went  to  have a  bath  with  my  throbbing  head in  a hurry  and  forgot  to  regulate  the  water  temperature. I  scalded  my  hand  with  water which  was  fuming  like  lava.  After  my  bath , I  ran  downstairs  to  grab  a  bite ,  in  an attempt t p  grasp  the  sandwich,  my had  pushed the  glass  and  all  the  juice  fell out of  it.  I  even  wasted  a  whole  precious  minute  in  cleaning  the  dropped  juice  which  my  father  saw and  made  me  do.  I  ambled out  of  the  door  and  tripped  on  a  rock  causing  me  to  fall  in  the  dirt.  From  the  corner  of my  eye,  I  could  see  the  bus  leave.  I  knew  that  I  was  in hot water  as  my father  was  coaxed  to  drop  me  to  school  and  he  got late for  his work.  At  school,  I  was   reprimanded  by  the  teachers  and  the  principal  and  received a  tongue  lashing  for  being  late.  When the  geography  teacher  burst into  the  classroom,  there  was  going  to  be  a  dictation.  When  I  opened  my  bag,  it dawned upon  me  that  I  had  packed  Thursday’s  time  table  instead of   Wednesday’s . I  did not  have my  geography  textbook  so  I had  to  stand  out  of  class  for  the  whole  period.  Next was  the  Math  class.  I  got  all the  sums  wrong  as  I  had  not  burnt  the  midnight  oil  in  learning  the  formulas.  Soon  the  recess  bell  rang.  It was music  to  everyone’s  ears.  I  was  as  ravenous  as  a  wolf  as  I  had  not  devoured anything  for  breakfast.  I  was  about  to  sink  my  teeth  into  the  vegetable  sandwich  when   a  football hit  my  hand  through  the  open window ,  hurling  the  sandwich  on  the  filthy  floor. After  school,  I  felt  like  a  dog  with  two  tails  as  I  was  going  to my  sweet  abode.  I  yearned  to  get my  favourite  bus  seat,  however,  the  bus  was  as  crowded  as  a  railway  station  and  I  had  the  most  gruelling one  hour  of  my  life  as I  had  to  walk  to  my  home.  At  home,  dad  was  anxiously  waiting  for  me.  I  hope  this  day  of   mine  fades  away  like  a mouse  scampering  out  if  its  trap.