The Calm Within

Chapter 1: Ravi’s Stormy Feelings

Ravi dashed across the courtyard, his slippers flapping. He wanted to win the game, but his friend grabbed the ball first.

“Hey! That was mine,” Ravi snapped.

Inside Ravi, a loud thunder rolled. His cheeks warmed. His hands felt tight. “What is my heart telling me?” he thought. It sounded like a storm-big and noisy.

Meera, who stood nearby, looked worried. “Ravi, are you okay?” she asked softly.

Ravi’s voice trembled. “I’m… I’m angry. My chest feels like a drum.” He remembered Grandma’s voice saying, “Notice your feelings, little one. Ask your heart what it says.”

Ravi closed his eyes. He counted to three in his head. One… two… three. The thunder inside him was still there, but he could hear a tiny raindrop too-the part that felt sad because the game changed.

“What is my heart telling me?” he asked again in his head. It whispered, I want to be heard. I want to play fair.

Ravi opened his eyes. He took a slow breath like the banyan tree Grandma loved, swaying gently in the wind. He felt his shoulders let go a little.

“Can you pass the ball back?” he said, quieter. “I want to finish my turn.”

Meera smiled. “I’m sorry, Ravi. I didn’t know. Here.” She handed the ball back and waited.

Ravi felt a small sunshine peek through the clouds. The storm was still there, but it felt softer. He learned that noticing his feelings helped him choose kinder words.

Before running off to play again, Ravi hugged Meera. “Thanks for listening,” he said. Inside, his heart whispered, I can try to listen to my storm. Then the game felt fun again.

Moral: When you notice what your heart is saying, big feelings can become smaller and kinder.