
New Seat, New Friends

It was the first day of school after the holidays at Bright Minds Public School. When the students walked in, they saw a new seating chart written on the blackboard. "Nooo!" groaned Aarav, "I wanted to sit with my best friend Ishaan." "But we always sit together," complained Simran to her friend Priya. Their teacher, Mrs. Kapoor, smiled. "This year, I’ve made the pairs. You’ll sit with someone you don’t usually talk to." There were a lot of sighs — and a few giggles.

Aarav found his seat next to Neha — someone quiet who usually sat near the window. Simran was paired with Ritu, who had just moved from Chennai. It felt awkward at first. "What if they don’t like me?" Aarav thought. "What if we have nothing to talk about?" Simran wondered.

At lunch, Aarav and Neha opened their tiffin boxes. "My mom made aloo paratha — want some?" Neha offered. They shared food and started talking. "My cousin is getting married next month," Neha said. "Cool!" Aarav replied. "Boy or girl cousin?" "Girl — and she’s marrying another girl." Aarav blinked in surprise. "That’s allowed?" Neha smiled, "Of course! Love is love."

Meanwhile, Simran and Ritu talked about games. "I love cricket," said Ritu. Simran grinned, "Me too! Let’s play at recess." Ritu hesitated. "My uncle says cricket is for boys." Simran shook her head. "That’s silly. Cricket is for everyone!" They both laughed and ran outside to play.

The next week, Mrs. Kapoor gave them a project: "Create a poster about who you are." Aarav drew his family, his cricket bat, and a rainbow. Neha added her art supplies and wrote: "I’m still figuring out who I like — and that’s okay." Ritu’s poster had a cricket ball and a big heart. Simran’s said: "I like drawing, my cat, and maybe one day... someone special." They all smiled at each other’s posters — because every story was unique.

As the days went by, Aarav and Neha grew closer. They discovered they both loved to read. They began swapping books during lunch, sharing their favorite stories and characters. Aarav found out that Neha was an amazing storyteller, and he loved hearing her tales.

Simran and Ritu bonded over their love of art. They spent recess drawing colorful chalk murals on the playground. Ritu shared stories about Chennai, and Simran shared her dreams of becoming an artist. They even decided to create a giant mural together, combining their styles.

One sunny afternoon, Mrs. Kapoor announced a class talent show. Everyone was excited! Aarav and Neha teamed up for a storytelling act, while Simran and Ritu planned to showcase their mural. They practiced every day after school, and laughter filled the air.

The day of the talent show arrived. Aarav and Neha captivated everyone with their story, and Simran and Ritu's mural was a colorful masterpiece! As they cheered for each other, a sense of friendship blossomed. The classroom felt like a big family.

As the school year continued, Aarav, Neha, Simran, and Ritu became the best of friends. They learned that differences only made them stronger and that new seats could lead to wonderful discoveries. Together, they created a vibrant tapestry of friendship, laughter, and acceptance at Bright Minds Public School.