“SHOW me what you all have brought,” said Mrs Junaid, the arts teacher of the Aces Academy to her students. The school was celebrating ‘The Annual Students’ week’ and Mrs Junaid was made in charge of the fashion show. The girls taking part in the catwalk had brought their dresses in which they wanted to impress the audience.

Naila and Daniya, students of the grade eight, were also very excited and went to the staff room where Mrs Junaid was either approving or rejecting the outfits after long, proper discussion. The students were trying to convince her with their ideas…

Naila had brought a sari, seeing it Mrs Junaid exclaimed, “No, Naila this dress is not for you! You are too short for it.”

Naila was not tall and Mrs Junaid knew that sari looks better on tall girls than those who are short. Naila was embarressed as Mrs Junaid pointed out her short height so loudly. She picked up her bag and ran out as quick as she could. Daniya had also brought her dress but she didn’t show it to her teacher and decided to go after Naila instead.

“So, what about the poem recitation? Your voice is wonderful. You can show your talent there!” Daniya asked Naila in a very casual manner.

“I cannot let people make any more fun of me,” Naila said in a broken tone. She was hurt. She wanted to participate in the dress show but her dream was shattered.

That day, Daniya went home and after her lunch asked her mother. “Mom, can I have your paishwaaz?”

“Why not the one you got stitched especially for this event?” her mom was surprised as Daniya had worked hard on her dress.

“Mom, I need it. Please trust me; I would be very careful in handling it,” Daniya urged and her mother handed her the dress she herself had worn in her school’s farewell and had won the title of the “Best Dressed!”

The next day, Daniya went straight to the staff room and met Mrs Junaid. As usual she welcomed her and eagerly saw the dress Daniya had brought with her. After a long discussion, Mrs Junaid agreed to what Daniya had in her mind…

The students’ week had begun; students were enjoying themselves. The fashion show was the most eagerly-awaited event. The school’s auditorium was being used for it. The parents of the participating students were also invited. Some parents had offered their services for makeup, etc.

Daniya opened the show as she walked gracefully and her dress looked gorgeous on her. The audience clapped to show their liking, the applause grew louder when she threw flowers on the audience as she walked near them.

“Wonderful idea and beautiful dress!” murmured a lady in Daniya’s mother’s ears but she did not reply. She had expected to see Daniya in her own dress but Daniya was wearing what she had got tailored for the special event. Daniya’s mother was confused when on stage Naila appeared in the paishwaaz.

“What!” Daniya’s mother exclaimed. Naila looked simply beautiful. She moved gracefully on the ramp. “Wow!” was an instant reaction from the audience. Everyone seemed enchanted by the dress and the way she carried her outfit that nobody actually pointed her height out.

Certificates and appreciation notes were awarded at the end of the event. Everyone was happy, but Daniya’s face was glowing with immense joy. Not because she had won but because she had not let Naila lose her confidence about her personality forever. That was the most precious achievement.

“Thank you so much for sending your precious dress. Daniya told me about it that you had worn it in your school farewell party and had been awarded a title. I am thankful to Daniya who insisted on the point that if girls with short height wear churidaars they look amazing and see how Naila rocked the ramp,” Mrs Junaid was telling Daniya’s mother, who by then knew well why her darling daughter had asked for that paishwaaz.