A Sweet Tale of the Missing Basket

Friends, here is another cute tale for children. Hope you like this one. Thank you.

“I knew I had found something crucial when I found this packet,” exclaimed seven-year-old Seeta. The whole family had gathered at the Ambikapur woods for a picnic that morning. It comprised her parents, Mohan and Mandira, and her two younger brothers, Monu and Sonu.

The weather was perfect for a picnic: azure blue sky, light breeze, soft spring sunshine, and the chirping of birds. The highlight of the spot was the serene beauty of the river Ambika, flowing quietly at the edge of the woods with soft gurgling noises as it pushed past rocky boulders strewn on its path.

This wood was part of the state reserve forest, where protected wildlife such as deer, monkeys, and bison lived in the dense inner core. This area was off-limits to the general public. On the fringe, however, there was a lightly wooded area where picnicking was permitted within a certain fenced portion.

That area was blessed with great scenic beauty, with tall, evergreen trees like Neem, Sal, and Babul scattered here and there. The main attraction was the river, with its serene blue waters providing the perfect backdrop for a joyful picnic.

Today, all five members were in a jolly good mood because this picnic represented a welcome respite from their daily routines. Mohan could enjoy a day away from the work pressures of his office. Mandira could have a day to herself, away from her domestic responsibilities. And the three children could enjoy a day away from studies.

Having arrived by car at around 8 am, their happiness increased when they found that they were the sole picnickers. The children played hide and seek and other games to their heart's content behind the trees while their parents reclined on a large red bedsheet, sometimes playing card games and sometimes lost in the natural beauty.

The glad mood of the morning was interrupted when a shocked Mandira noticed that one of their food baskets was missing – the one with fruits, nuts, candies and other ready-to-eat breakfast items. Immediately, Mohan and the three kids fanned out in different directions, looking for the missing basket while Mandira stayed back to guard the remaining hamper.

As they searched, their calls of "Where could it be?" and "Has anyone seen the basket?" echoed through the woods. The children started to get worried, and their smiles began to fade. "What if we don't find it?" Monu asked, his voice tinged with concern. "We'll be so hungry!" Sonu, the youngest, added, his eyes welling up.

Just when they were about to give up hope, Seeta shouted, “Look! What have I found!” Her dad and two brothers converged on the spot as fast as they could. It was a big Neem tree, and at its base lay a shining but empty packet of peanuts. Indistinct sounds came from the tree.

An astonishing scene greeted them when they looked up: their basket was now in the midst of a chattering group of monkeys (that included a couple of babies, too!), merrily helping themselves to the fruits and other goodies inside. The family's initial shock turned to laughter as Sonu blurted out, “Papa, look! Not only are the monkeys having an impromptu picnic with our breakfast, they're enjoying it to boot!”

Well, there was nothing more to be done about it. And if truth be told, the children weren't unhappy. Albeit unwillingly, they had shared their joy with the forest inhabitants. Their school had taught them the motto, “Live and let live.” Who knew that they could watch its live demonstration right before their eyes so soon!

On returning, Seeta, the star detective, proudly told her mother, “Maa, I knew I had traced the thief the moment I caught a glimpse of the vital clue – the packet. But the thieves happened to be so cute!” Everyone laughed at her remark. The gloominess over the lost food was gone.

Soon, all the kids became busy devouring the delicious lunch that Mandira had prepared with great care. After all, doing detective work is tiring, you know!

Children, let's now take leave of this family as they relish their lunch. See you soon with the next story. God bless and goodbye, darlings.