The Maha Kumbh story has an educative message for children and parents. The sun was peeping through the curtains, but Aanya was still feeling sleepy. However, as soon as she heard the alarm, she jumped out of bed. With a radiant smile, she greeted her mother, “Good morning!” Six-year-old Anya was very beautiful, and her blue eyes were especially captivating. Her father was packing his bags in the room for the trip, while her loving mother was preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Rubbing her eyes, Aanya asked her mom, “Aren’t you coming with us for the Maha kumbh ?”
Her mother replied with a laugh, “I’ve already arranged for some snacks for the journey, and the opportunity to visit the Kumbh Mela, which happens only once every twelve years, is very special. It’s in Prayagraj, which is quite far from here. Now, let’s get ready for the temple visit.” After a while, everyone was ready and they left for the railway station in a cab.The family hails from Tirunelveli in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is a massive Hindu pilgrimage held every 12 years at four sacred sites in India. 1 Millions gather to bathe in holy rivers, seeking spiritual purification and liberation.
The atmosphere at 6 in the morning was uniquely pleasant, and Anya was experiencing it for the first time. The fragrance of the trees and flowers along the roadside was making her feel like she was in a new world. She told her father, “Dad, mornings are so beautiful. Don’t you think we should come out of the house in the morning even without a trip?” Her mother said, “Daughter, I’ll wake you up from tomorrow onwards. Morning walks are good for our health, especially for Dad.” As she said this, she pointed to her father’s growing belly, and everyone laughed.
The train station was their next destination. As the train moved forward on the tracks, Aanya’s heart was pounding with excitement. The morning air was cool and fresh, and the outside world was full of lush green fields and colorful houses. She pressed her face against the window, her eyes wide with wonder. The rhythmic click-clack of the wheels thrilled her.
“Mom, look at the cows!” Aanya pointed out the window. “They’re so big!”
Her mother smiled. “Yes, and they look beautiful too. They’re going to the river to drink water.”
Aanya’s eyes sparkled. “Can we go to the river someday?”
Her parents exchanged surprised glances. “Sure,” her mother said.
As the train journey continued, Aanya sat back in her seat, content to watch the world pass by. She felt safe and loved with her family.
A few stations later, another family boarded the train.They talked for a while and then started sharing food and chatting a lot. The father was happy with his new friend, and the mother was also very happy with her new female friend. Everyone mingled and it was natural because they were all speaking in the local language. Since the journey was long, everyone had lunch together, and after a while, everyone went to sleep on their berths.
At eight o’clock at night, Anya suddenly opened her eyes and found herself on shoulder of a strange man who was carrying her out of the train and running towards the station exit. Aanya had a training session in her class a few days ago where a police officer had taught about maintaining distance from strangers and what to do in adverse situations. Suddenly, the woman following behind whispered, “Be quiet, there is a policeman at the gate.
As the criminal family was about to quickly pass the police guard, Anya started shouting “help, help”. The villain on whose shoulder Anya was, tried to silence Aanya and when she resisted and shouted, the policeman noticed. The police guards called out to the criminal to investigate the matter and ordered him to stop. The criminal family left Aanya and ran away.
An officer took Aanya into his guardianship, and the rest ran to catch the criminal family. The woman was caught first, and after a while, the man was also caught. In this way,
“Aanya was taken to the police station in Uttar Pradesh, a state far from her home. Lost and alone, she struggled to communicate as no one there understood her Telugu. The police did their best to spread the word about Anya and, unable to find her family, placed her in a government children’s home.The warden welcomed Anya to the home, where the government would care for her until her parents were found. Though relieved to be safe, Aanya felt a pang of fear as she prepared for bed. The unfamiliar surroundings and the uncertainty of what lay ahead filled her with apprehension.”She was very sad after being separated from her parents. She was also feeling proud after saving herself from strangers but the problems had not left her yet. Will she be able to find her parents… Will she be able to go back to her home… In the next episode…