By Srinidhi Ranganathan in Director's Pick — Jan 15, 2024

Raghu's Golden Pongal

Raghu had always dreamt of celebrating Pongal, the harvest festival, grandly, but his family could barely afford the essentials.

Once upon a time, in a small village in Tamil Nadu, there lived a poor but kind-hearted boy named Raghu. His family was not wealthy, but they had rich hearts full of love and joy. Raghu had always dreamt of celebrating Pongal, the harvest festival, grandly, but his family could barely afford the essentials.

This year, as Pongal approached, Raghu felt a mix of excitement and sadness. He loved the festival's spirit but knew his family couldn't celebrate it like others. Nevertheless, he helped his mother clean their small hut and prepare for the festival with what little they had.

On the first day of Pongal, while Raghu was out in the village, he met a well-dressed businessman named Mr. Anand, who had come from the city to experience the village's Pongal festivities. Mr Anand was impressed by Raghu's politeness and curious nature. He asked Raghu about his life and dreams. Raghu, with sparkling eyes, shared his simple wish to celebrate Pongal joyously with his family.

Mr. Anand, touched by Raghu's innocence and sincerity, decided to do something special. The next day, to Raghu's surprise, Mr. Anand visited his home with a big, beautifully wrapped gift. It was a shiny new cooking pot, essential for making Pongal, the festive dish.

But the real surprise was what lay inside the pot. It was a golden coin, gleaming under the morning sun. Mr Anand explained that the coin was a symbol of prosperity and good luck and that he wanted Raghu's family to have a future full of opportunities.

Raghu's family was overwhelmed with gratitude. With Mr. Anand's gift, they celebrated the best Pongal ever. They prepared delicious Pongal in their new pot, shared it with neighbours, and even managed to buy new clothes.

The golden coin not only brought them joy during the festival but also helped them improve their living conditions. Raghu learned that kindness and generosity can bring unexpected miracles, and Mr. Anand learned the joy of giving.

From that year onwards, Pongal was not just a festival for Raghu; it was a reminder of the day his life changed, all thanks to a kind stranger who became a dear friend. And so, Raghu's Golden Pongal became a story passed down in the village, inspiring generations to come.

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