In the quiet town of Harmonyville, something strange was happening. Laughter had vanished from the streets, leaving behind a gloomy atmosphere that seemed to hang like a heavy cloud. Giggles that once echoed through the playgrounds and the bustling market were now scarce. The towns’ people went about their daily routines with serious faces, desperately missing the joy that laughter brought to their lives.

Amidst this sombre atmosphere, three friends, Sara, Ahmed and Ayan, couldn’t stand the silence any longer. They were known as the ‘Joy Squad’ for their boundless energy and infectious laughter. Determined to bring back the merriment, they decided to solve the mystery of the missing giggles.

One sunny morning, the trio gathered in Sara’s treehouse, which doubled as their headquarters.

“Guys, we need to find out what’s happening to the laughter in Harmonyville,” Sara declared.

Ahmed, the tech-savvy member of the group, pulled out his gadgets. “I’ve rigged up some listening devices. We can eavesdrop on conversations around town and see if we can catch any clues as to why people are so serious and depressed.”

Ayan, always the observant one, added, “And I’ve been making notes of everyone’s behaviour from the past couple of months. Maybe there’s a pattern to the reason for laughter to have disappeared.”

Their investigation led them to Mrs Jenkins, the oldest resident in town, who was known for her hearty laughter. But even she hadn’t laughed in days. As they spoke to her, she revealed that a strange creature, known as the “Giggle Monster,” was rumoured to be the cause of the disappearing laughter. It was said to feed on giggles and chuckles, leaving only gloom behind.

Undeterred, the Joy Squad decided to track down this mysterious creature. They followed a trail of hushed conversations that led them to a hidden part of the forest. There, amidst the trees, they stumbled upon a peculiar creature with shimmering, rainbow-coloured fur and an impish grin.

“Are you Giggle Monster?” Sara asked, her voice steady.

The creature blinked its large, innocent eyes. “Giggle Monster? Oh no, that’s just a misunderstanding. I’m Gigi, the Giggly Guardian.”

Curiosity piqued, Ahmed inquired, “Then, why did laughter disappear from our town?”

Gigi sighed. “I was trying to collect laughter to protect it from the negativity that’s been seeping into Harmonyville, lately. I thought I could keep it safe until the town became happy again.”

Sara, Ahmed and Ayan exchanged glances. “We’re trying to bring back the laughter,” Ayan said earnestly. “We want to spread happiness and joy.”

Gigi’s eyes lit up. “Really? Well, I can help you with that!”

With Gigi’s guidance, the Joy Squad devised a plan. They organised a town-wide event called the “Harmonyville Happiness Festival.” Colourful decorations adorned every corner, games, performances and contests were arranged to bring people closer to each other and also to bring smiles back to their faces.

As the festival began, the townspeople were reluctant to join, but after some time, they started to come in. Slowly but surely, the Joy Squad’s efforts started to make an impact. Laughter bubbled up, breaking through the gloom that had settled over Harmonyville.

At the heart of the festival, Gigi stood, sharing heart-warming stories and telling jokes that sent waves of laughter through the crowd. Children giggled, parents chuckled and even the elderly joined in, their faces lighting up with joy.

Sara, Ahmed and Ayan watched the transformation with satisfaction. The power of laughter was stronger than they could have imagined. They were talking and laughing and having lots of fun. And as the sun set, Harmonyville was once again a town filled with laughter, happiness and vibrant energy.

The trio gathered in Sara’s treehouse later that evening, Sara glanced out at the twinkling stars above. “Who would’ve thought that a little adventure could have such a big impact?”

The trio smiled with satisfaction on their faces.

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 16th, 2023