Will Noni Accept Meenu as Her Friend?

Noni was sad. Her best friend Nisha, who lived in a house across the lane, was moving out of the town. Her parents had got new jobs in a big city. 

To cheer her up, Nisha said, “I’ll come back soon and spend my summer vacations with you.”

After Nisha left the town, nine-year-old Noni felt miserable for days.  

One month later, she saw a new family moving into Nisha’s house.

“They’re pushing their furniture inside Nisha’s house,” Noni said to her grandfather. “We’ve to stop them.”

Grandpa asked, “Why?”

“We can’t let those strangers live in Nisha’s house,” Noni said. “Where will she stay when she comes back?”

“She’ll stay with us,” Grandpa said. That house now belongs to the new family. I’ve heard they have a daughter of your age. You two can become friends.”

“NO! I don’t want to become her friend. Nisha is my friend.”

Grandpa smiled. “All right, but let’s go and introduce ourselves and see if they need our help.” 

Noni tagged along but with a scowl on her face.

She saw the new girl arranging the flower pots. She looked glum.

Her face, however, lit up when she saw Noni. She ran toward her and said, “Hello, I’m Meenu. I’m so happy to see you. I thought there would be no one to play with me here. All my friends are in my old town.”  

“I miss them!” Meenu said.

Noni realised that Meenu must be feeling friendless in a new place. But, she was reluctant to accept her as a friend.

“Nisha will be sad if she finds out I’ve made friends with the girl who has taken over her house,” Noni thought. She walked back to her house without saying a word to Meenu.

When she told her Grandpa why she had not talked to Meenu, he asked, “What will you do if Nisha tells you that no one wants to be her friend in her new city?”     

“I’ll go and fight with them for being mean and hurting her feelings.” After saying that, Noni realised that she had also hurt Meenu’s feelings.

She dashed out into the lane. 

Meenu was watering the plants, and she was again looking glum.

“Can I water the plants with you?” Noni asked.

            A big smile spread on Meenu’s face, and she said, “YES.”      

Soon, the two girls were busy talking about their best friends.      

[Written for Mogool Times]