It was a beautiful Sunday morning when Areeb woke up from his nap saying, “Baba! Can you please buy me a bicycle? It has been a whole month since you said we will buy it soon.”

“Hmm … okay, go get ready, we’re going to buy you a bicycle,” his father said. Areeb quickly went to his room, took a shower, and got ready to go buy his bicycle. Both father and son got into the car and set off. While his father was driving, he started thinking about what colour bicycle he should choose — blue, green or black?

When they arrived at the shop, he saw so many bicycles that he felt overwhelmed with choices. But then, he spotted a bicycle every kid dreams of.

Baba asked the shopkeeper, “How much for this blue bicycle?”

The shopkeeper replied, “Sir, it costs 20,000 rupees!”

Baba exclaimed, “Isn’t that too expensive?”

Areeb learned that to achieve something, one must work hard, stay determined, give their best effort and believe in themselves

The shopkeeper explained, “Actually, sir, it has a pure metal body, genuine sports wheels and a disc brake. Plus, it’s a luscious blue colour.”

Baba responded, “Okay, we’ll come back to you in a bit.”

Areeb sighed because he realised that his father did not have enough money to buy the bicycle he loved. He felt sad and then thought about how long it would take him to save the required amount.

When they returned home, Areeb’s little sister, Zara, asked, “What happened, bhai? Did you get your bicycle?”

“No, Zara. We’ll buy it some other day; the bicycles were too expensive.” Areeb replied.

“Oh, okay. Well, I have an idea! Maybe you could set up a lemonade kiosk and sell lemonade for a hundred rupees per glass,” Zara suggested.

“Maybe, Zara, for once you’ve come up with a good idea!” Areeb teased.

Excited, Areeb went to Baba and shared the idea with him. They quickly got ready, set up a lemonade stand, and made the lemonade so delicious that it attracted many customers. Their stall became very popular and in just a few days, they managed to earn 20,000 rupees.

Then they returned to the bicycle vendor and asked for the charming blue bicycle.

They paid the shopkeeper, collected the bike and went to the park so Areeb could ride his new bicycle. It was the best experience of Areeb’s life.

Areeb learned that to achieve something, one must work hard, stay determined, give their best effort and believe in themselves.

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 19th, 2024