It was a sunny day. Anabia, a 11-year-old girl, was excited because today was the drawing contest at her school. Anabia was really good at drawing and usually got the highest marks in arts. Her teachers would often ask her to make posters for school plays and call her in free periods to help in cuttings, drawing, shading, colouring and much more. There was an art competition taking place in school and Anabia had worked really hard and wanted to win it. But there was one thing that was disturbing her today.

Recently, a new girl, Rida, joined her class. She was also interested in arts but she was not as good at drawing as Anabia was. Miss Saima, the arts teacher, helped Rida and taught her tips and tricks to improve her drawing skill. And now Rida was also considered among the best artists in grade six.

Rida was quick, smart and intelligent. Anabia became jealous of Rida’s intelligence and felt that the new girl would be a tough competition to beat in studies.

So that day, for the art competition, Miss Saima took all the students to the art room, told them their roll numbers and gave important instructions. Anabia’s roll number was 16, while Rida was number 17. The bell rang, indicating the commencement of the contest. Miss Saima wrote on the board: make a scene of sunset with a flowing river and a sailing boat.

Anabia knew that the best tools to make a sunset were oil pastels. Anabia wore her apron and started to look for her oil pastels in her art bag. Then, after looking through the bag, she remembered that she had forgotten them at home. With that thought, her eyes filled with tears, and she got up to tell Miss Saima.

Miss Saima was disappointed at Anabia’s carelessness and told her that she could not help her, as it was her responsibility to come prepared for the contest that was announced a week in advance.

Rida overheard them, she got up and immediately offered help. Anabia felt very grateful and thanked Rida. Anabia’s best friends were also there, but none of them offered to share anything, much to Anabia’s surprise and disappointment.

After completing her work, Anabia felt guilty about how she had been feeling jealous of such a kind-natured and helpful girl. When the contest time was over, everybody handed over their work and rushed out of the room.

It was now the lunch break and Anabia didn’t go to sit with her friends, but sat alone by herself, thinking of what she had experienced that day. Rida was looking for a place to sit. She saw Anabia sitting in the corner, so she walked up to her and sat beside her.

“Hey, why are you sad?” asked Rida with concern. “You made such a nice drawing,” Rida said, trying to cheer her up.

After hearing these words, tears filled Anabia’s eyes and she spoke hesitantly, “I always thought you were weird and said bad things about you. I never realised you were so caring. You always did things so well and showed interest in everything, and that made me jealous and irritated. I am sorry.”

After saying this, Anabia thought Rida would feel upset and leave, but Rida stayed there.

“Look, when I was at my old school, I also judged people sometimes. But when I got to know them better, they were not as I had thought. Come on, it’s okay to feel this way sometimes, just wipe your tears. Let’s go, the winners are being announced,” Rida said and held Anabia’s hand.

They had all gathered in the assembly area and everyone was chattering excitedly. Soon the principal came up on the stage and the students became quiet.

“So, the third position goes to Soniya, having roll number 23,” she said while smiling, and a girl walked towards the stage. “The second position goes to Rida, having the roll number 17. She is a talented girl who just joined our school,” she said smilingly, while Rida walked to the stage to receive her prize.

“The first prize goes to Anabia, roll number 16!” she announced. Anabia excitedly walked up to the stage and the principal handed her the prize and the mike.

“I am really happy to win this prize, but happier that I found a new, caring and trustworthy friend today. And the story behind finding such a nice and caring friend is that I forgot my pastels and would not be standing here if Rida had not shared her pastels with me. It is just because of you, Rida, that I am having this prize in my hand. Thanks my dear friend, I owe this to you!” Anabia spoke, smiling and waving at her new friend.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 15th, 2023