Like every year, Murad and Salman were very excited about celebrating Independence Day. They had heard many stories about the forefathers in getting freedom from their grandfather. Both Murad and Salman knew a lot about the creation of Pakistan and Quaid-e-Azam’s vision. Hence, they always celebrated August 14, with much zeal.

However, in their celebrations they would forget about the importance of the day and indulge in decorating their house as beautiful as they can which felt like a competition between everyone in their neighbourhood.

Similarly, in their neighbourhood, there lived a boy named Amir with his parents. They had recently moved in from Multan. Amir was of their age and soon they became friends.

Since August 14th was around the corner, everyone was decorating their houses with national flag, fairy lights, balloons and Independence Day posters. Murad and Salman were also enthusiastic about making their house look unique and the most beautiful in the area.

While some children attached Pakistan’s flag on their bicycles, some kids were getting their cheeks painted green and white, the colours of our national flag. Murad and Salman had different plans every year. This time, they planned to tie a large-sized flag on their terrace. On the other hand, Amir had plans to decorate his house with a string of small flags all around his house, leaving no space.

However, when Amir came to know that Murad and Salman are going to tie a huge flag on their terrace, he faltered. He thought his idea of adorning the house with small flags wasn’t impressive at all as those mini flags will look ordinary compared to the flag his friends were tying on their terrace. So, he changed his plan and thought to take an edge over Salman and Murad.

Also, he didn’t disclose his plan to anyone and thought he would tie an even larger flag at midnight and surprise everyone in the morning of August 14.

It was August 13th. Every house in the community exhibited green and white colours. The flag tied by Murad and Salman fluttered higher and above than any other flag in the area. Everyone praised the idea and efforts of the brothers. However, everyone thought why Amir hadn’t decorated his house yet.

“I haven’t bought the stuff as I didn’t have time,” was what Amir told everyone.

Night replaced the day and everyone went to sleep. Soon, the silence was disrupted by loud cries.

When people came out of their houses all they saw was Amir crying out of pain while holding his leg. Also, there was a huge flag lying beside him. Fortunately, he didn’t fall from roof but from the six feet wall of his house. His parents took him to the hospital immediately as he had a lot of bruises.

The next day, Murad and Salman went to see Amir with their grandfather. Murad inquired about the incident. Amir’s body was aching as he told them that he went late last night to hang the flag on the wall of his house, but he slipped and hit the ground. He sobbed and then told the whole story and his intentions of taking the lead in decorating the house.

Murad and Salman stood quiet. Their grandfather smiled and wiped Amir’s tears.

“Oh dear, you children don’t understand the meaning of independence. Loving Pakistan isn’t in who decorates their house the best. True patriotism implies in building and protecting your country. Your country needs you to do something productive for it instead of falling in the race of showing off. Adorn your country, keep it clean, promote brotherhood and peace, and live happily. This is the spirit of celebrating Independence Day,” said the grandfather.

Amir, Murad and Salman felt ashamed and realised how busy were they in showing off rather than feeling the true independence and love for the country. The three children looked at each other in embarrassment and decided to never forget the real essence of the day ever again. Then Murad asked his grandfather to tell him more about Independence and so the grandfather continued telling them more stories regarding Pakistan’s creation.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 13th, 2016