When I was in 7th grade, I was used to going out in the afternoon with my friends. We were four girls of my age and one of our favorite activities was to pluck unripe guavas and mangoes from our neighbour's garden. These unripe fruits were more precious for us than the ripe ones, which we were getting at our homes. One day, we planned to pluck the unripe mangoes from the garden which was located on our way to school.
During the break time, when we were discussing the garden, one of our classmates told us something about the owner of the garden.
"He is a very rigid person, he never allows anyone to get anything from his garden."
"How do you know?"
"My Mom told me about him, so be careful."
But we did not agree to hear anything and decided to go there in off time. But, it was a very crowded place at that time, so we decided to pluck in the afternoon. It was summer season and the sun was shining brightly. It was very hot that day. Although my Mom was not aware of our plan, she was against my habit of going out in the afternoon. So she said,
"I will not let you go out with your friends today, so it would be better for you to have a nap."
"Mom please let me go, I will be back in a while."
"I said no, just go into your room."
I pleaded hard but she did not agree, so I eventually went into my room to have a nap with my siblings. But I was continuously thinking about the unripe mangoes that we were going to pluck today. I closed my eyes and changed my side fifty times but sleep was willing to visit me today. Almost an hour later, I opened my eyes and looked at my siblings. They all were sleeping. There was no chance of me going out as my Mom was doing household in the drawing room. Somehow I spent that day in great difficulty.
The next day, we met in the school and my friends complained to me about not coming out in the afternoon. I told them the whole situation and promised to the next day. But just then one of our other classmates said something usual.
"Please never go there, he will not spare anyone, if he found someone entering his garden."
" How could you say that?"
"Once he saw a girl in his garden, who was plucking unripe mangoes. He slapped hard on her face and treated her very badly."
Hearing this I was shocked. I asked my friends to change this plan as we shouldn't take risk, but they did not agree. So after school, I went home and after having my lunch I decided to go out. My Mom was washing pots in the kitchen, and just then I sneaked quietly. My friends were already waiting for me at the corner of the street. After being united we headed towards the garden. It was not so far from our house, so in 10 minutes we were there.
We were about to enter the garden, just then an elderly person was passing by there. Seeing as he said,
" Why are you going there, lovely kids? Please go back, the owner is not a good person."
Hearing this, I pleaded with my friends again to change the plan. Inside me was not in favor of going there as Where there's smoke there's fire. But my friends were still firm to enter the garden. But I refused to go with them, as my sixth sense alerted me and I changed my mind. They all went into the garden to pluck unripe mangoes, but I was standing outside the garden. Just then I saw a man who was heading towards the garden. He was a rigid and tall person. I hide myself behind the tree.
He entered the garden with a stern face. I was scared and was praying for the safety of my friends. After five minutes they all ran out of the garden and were crying loudly. I asked them the reason and they told me that the owner had slapped them so hard and snatched all the mangoes they plucked from the trees. I felt bad for them but my sixth sense saved me from this.
The End!
Image source
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Hello @farahikram, This is an interesting anecdote from your childhood. We find it curious that children like unripe mangoes :) There is an issue with the story that needs to be addressed. Children are slapped. We have rather firm rules about violence against children. The slapping here does not overly offend. However, in the future it would be best for you to avoid subjects that involve violence against children.
Thank you for sharing this anecdote with us, @farahikram.