A short story written from two different perspectives of a special day in someone’s life.

Eight year old Lila’s perspective,

Today I woke up early, before the sun could wake up. I was so excited that I could barely sleep last night! I got ready as quickly as I could. Today is the day of the school trip! If I’m late, I might miss the entire trip.

I packed my cute teddy bear bag and grabbed my frog lunch box. Mom said everyone would love the box, and I couldn’t wait to show it off!

At school, Mary ma’am asked us to stand in line by attendance order before we could board the bus. I didn’t get the seat I wanted, but I still got to sit with Mahi and Abhi.

Before we started, ma’am gave us a lot of instructions. I didn’t listen to much of it, but I did hear her say we could take as many biscuits as we could carry later! I thought I could stuff teddy full of biscuits, but then she said personal belongings weren’t allowed inside. That was okay. I was still excited—I can carry a lot. Yesterday, I helped Mom with the grocery bags!

The bus started with a loud cheer. We sang so many songs that I lost count, and before I knew it, we were at the factory. It was huge, with tall buildings all around. A tall uncle with a moustache, wearing a uniform, greeted us. He told us to pair up and follow him. I partnered with Mahi.

The first place we went was a small building, where they made us wear hair and foot protection. Everyone looked so goofy—I couldn’t stop giggling! Then we went inside the big factory. The moustache uncle showed us how the biscuit batter went in one end of the machine, and biscuits came out of the other. He said the packing happened in another building, so we didn’t see that part.

Finally, it was time to leave. The best part of the day was waiting for us: a huge box of biscuits! The moustache uncle and the security uncle told us we could take as many as we wanted. I stuffed my pockets and grabbed as much as I could hold in my hands.

On the bus ride back, we shared the biscuits and ate them together. I saved some for Mom and Dad—I think they’ll love them. What an amazing day this was!

***

Kiran’s perspective – The Moustache uncle,

The traffic was bad as usual, but navigating the concrete jungle was worth it—I got to see so many cute faces today! I work in a biscuit factory, and one day every year, we open the factory for schools to visit. Today, four schools are visiting, and I’m giving the tour for A.B. School, the first batch.

The tour guide role is a big deal here. People were more competitive than they are over promotions! This year, it was decided by a chess competition, and I came out on top.

The kids were wide-eyed as soon as they saw the factory. One asked if I lived there, and another wondered if I managed the whole place. Their curiosity was endless. When they all put on the tiny hairnets we’d prepared, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

They’re too old to believe in magic, I guess. However, the look of awe on their faces was priceless when, the ingredients disappeared in one place and reappeared as biscuits in another. Their eyes bulged, and their tiny mouths gaped in wonder. A few smart ones even asked if there was an oven inside!

As their visit ended, it was time for my favourite announcement. “You can take as many biscuits as you can carry!” I said. There’s always a loose box of biscuits for this purpose. One kid asked if he could fill his pockets. I wondered how much his tiny pockets could hold, but I said yes, and the cheer that followed was unforgettable.

Patiently, they lined up but grabbed as many biscuits as their hands could carry. A few even called me moustache uncle and thanked me in their sweet way: “So many many biscuits!”

I can’t wait to tell Priya about today. She’ll definitely be jealous—how could her office possibly be this exciting? What an amazing day this was!

— The End —