It was an beautiful day. The sky was covered with clouds. Everyone was enjoying this beautiful weather, but Sarfraz was sleeping in his room.

His mother came and said, “Wake up dear Sarfraz. It is so late in the morning.”

“Let me sleep mum,” Sarfraz replied, burying his head deeper in the pillow.

“No dear, open your eyes. See the wonderful weather and everyone is waiting for you to get up.”

With these words, mum left the room. He reluctantly got up and went to the bathroom with half-closed eyes. After taking a bath when he came out from bathroom, he saw that his room was decorated beautifully and a gift box was kept on the bedside table. He was surprised and wondered what was special that day.

When he opened the box, he found new clothes inside it. Excitedly, he wore the new clothes and went downstairs. While he was going down, he saw that not only his room but the entire home was decorated. And a particular thing he noticed was that there were many national flags among the decorations.

He saw his parents wearing new clothes too and playing with his baby sister Fazila who was wearing a new dress which was green and white.

When his parents saw him, they said, “Happy Independence Day!”

“Dad, who decorated our home?” he asked his father.

His father smiled and replied, “Dear, last night you went to sleep early, so I and your mum decorated the house.”

“Is it necessary for us to celebrate the day?” Sarfraz asked this time.

“It is not just a day for celebration at home. We should celebrate it with others and help them if they are in trouble,” his father answered. “There are many people who cannot celebrate it, but they want to celebrate it. So we must try and include as many people in our celebration as we can so that they also realise the significance of Independence Day,” his father explained.

After listening to his father’s’ words, Sarfraz became happy. He went out and met his friends who were dressed in nice clothes and enjoying themselves. Sarfraz discussed with them the idea of giving some help to kids who cannot afford to celebrate like them.

They all went back home and returned with their pocket money and some had shopping bags full of used toys and books in their hands. One boy’s father also came with them and they went to the neighbourhood shop and bought many packets of biscuits and candies. Then they visited a nearby locality where labourers and maids lived in shanty homes. They distributed what they had with them to the poor kids of the locality, who were very excited to get toys and goodies to eat.

It was a memorable day for everybody as Sarfraz and his friends were able to spread some smile and happiness.

Published in Dawn, Young World August 12th, 2017