Lost in the Fair: A Childhood Moment We Never Forget

Courtesy: Vecteezy

Munna, Chintu, and Anuu were excited in a way only children can be.

They had been planning this day for many days.

It was not just any outing.
It was the village fair after Diwali.

They had already chosen their clothes carefully: Munna picked a neat shirt and pant, Chintu chose his favorite T-shirt and trousers and Anuu wore a beautiful wine-colored suit.

They had even finished all their homework the previous day—so nothing could come between them and the fair.

Piggy Banks and Big Dreams

Chintu and Anuu broke their piggy banks that morning. The sound of coins felt like music. Munna already had enough money saved.

The sunlight was bright but gentle.
The weather was perfect—neither too cold nor too hot.

They got ready early and waited impatiently for breakfast.

Munna smiled and warned everyone,
“Don’t eat too much. We will eat chaat, chowmein, and pani batasha in the fair.”

Chintu laughed, “I will eat jalebi!”
Anuu added quickly, “I will eat samosa and burger. But for now, we eat little.”

Their grandmother suddenly called out loudly,
“Battery rickshaw has come. Come everyone!”

The Ride to the Fair

They rushed outside with half-finished plates and saw a blue battery rickshaw waiting.

Munna decided,
“I will sit beside the driver. Mother and grandmother will sit behind. Chintu and Anuu will sit in front.”

Anuu protested,
“I won’t sit in front. I want the back seat.”

Chintu smiled,
“Then I will sit with grandmother.”

Soon, they reached the fairground.

The driver stopped a little distance away.
“From here, you must walk,” he said.
Cars, bikes, and autos were parked everywhere.

Their mother held Munna and Anuu by the fingers.
Chintu walked beside his grandmother.

Lights, Noise, and Temptation

The fair was alive.

Loud music played everywhere.
Shopkeepers shouted about sweets, samosas, and dry fruits.
Others announced tickets for jhula rides, dance shows, and haunted houses.

The grandmother stopped at a utensil shop, searching for a small milk can.
Munna’s eyes drifted to a toy shop nearby.

Colorful toys sparkled in front of him.

He saw a lattu and wanted it badly.

He turned to ask his mother.

She wasn’t there.

A Moment of Fear

Munna looked straight ahead.
Only strangers walking.

He looked to his right.
More people. More noise.

He asked the shopkeeper, but the man shook his head.

His heart began to beat faster.

The fair felt suddenly too big.

Questions rushed into his mind:
Where should I go?
Should I go back to the rickshaw?
What if I never find them?

He walked a little into a narrow path, then ran back to the toy shop.
He stood there, scared, wiping sweat from his face.

The Tightest Hold

After some time, he saw familiar faces. His mother, Anuu, Chintu and Grandmother coming.

Munna ran and hugged his mother tightly.

She said softly but firmly, “Hold my finger tightly. We searched the whole fair. Anuu saw you near this shop, so we came back.”

Munna held her finger as tightly as he could.

They walked forward together.

He didn’t look at toys anymore.

Because some lessons come early in life:

A fair is fun—but a mother’s hand is safety.

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