Ella had a younger brother and two younger sisters who troubled her a lot, especially her brother Charlie Robinson. One day her parents went to attend a party and left Ella to take care of her siblings.

Ella, too, was invited to a party at a friend’s house nearby. But, of course, she was not allowed to go. She thought that it was very unfair.

When her mother had gone, Ella decided to attend the party, leaving her siblings locked up in the house. She left their toys and some colour pencils with pieces of paper with them. She thought it would keep them busy while she was away. She locked the door of the refrigerator, afraid that her brother might spill food all over the house. She kept the key out of their reach.

Ella left the house after being satisfied that her brother and sisters were busy. While enjoying at the party, Ella thought that if her mother reached home before her, she would be in big trouble. Therefore, apologising to the hostess and rushed back to her house. “Oh my goodness!” Ella exclaimed in horror as the house was a total mess. There wasn’t even a single wall which was clean. Every wall had marks of colour pencils and crayons.

“My goodness! What would mother say?” exclaimed Ella, filled with horror.

The mess in the kitchen was beyond description. The children had brought the food stored in the larder into the kitchen because Ella had totally forgotten to lock it up.

Ella thought of cleaning the house. When she went to take the broom, Charlie, her brother, pulled her back and made her fall by tugging her hair hard.

After half an hour or so, the bell rang and Ella knew that her mother had arrived. She went staggering to open the door.

As soon as her mother entered the house, she stared with her mouth open at the condition of the house.

“Ella! Elllaa! ELLAAA!” she shouted.

“Yes, mum,” Ella answered meekly.

Naturally her mother asked her what had happened. She told her a cock and bull story of Charlie hitting her and the twins messing up the house. But that didn’t help much as poor Ella ended up cleaning the house.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 3rd, 2018