“ Sunday Stories: The Success Secrets of Extraordinary”
Twelve-year-old Nikita loved the school library. Every Friday, she’d borrow a book and dive into its pages like it was another world. Her friends teased her sometimes—“Bookworm Nikita!”—but she didn’t mind.
One day, she borrowed a brand-new mystery novel: The Secret of the Old Fort. It had just arrived, and only a few students had seen it.
That weekend, her cousins came over to stay. In the excitement—playing carrom, eating pani puri, and watching movies—Nikita forgot about the book. By Sunday evening, she couldn’t find it anywhere.
She searched the whole house—under the bed, in the kitchen, in her schoolbag, even inside the laundry basket. Nothing.
Panic hit her.
It wasn’t just any book—it had a barcode, the library stamp, and her name on the record sheet. She’d have to tell Mrs. Kelkar, the librarian, known for her strict rules.
The idea tempted Nikita. Just one lie. One small lie to avoid punishment.
That Monday, when Mrs. Kelkar asked, “Where’s the book, Nikita?”
She mumbled, “I returned it on Friday, ma’am.”
Mrs. Kelkar frowned. “Are you sure? I don’t see it here.”
Nikita nodded, eyes on her shoes.
A week passed. Every day, Nikita avoided eye contact with the librarian. Her stomach felt heavy, and she no longer enjoyed being in the library.
Then came Thursday morning.
“Class,” Mrs. Kelkar said during Library Period, “we’re missing one book: The Secret of the Old Fort. Until it’s found, borrowing is paused for everyone.”
The whole class groaned.
“Who took it last?” someone asked.
Mrs. Kelkar read from the register. “Nikita Deshmukh.”
Now all eyes turned to her.
Nikita’s face burned. She wanted to sink into the floor. Her best friend whispered, “Hey... did you lose it?”
That evening, Nikita sat on the swing in her balcony. The lie had seemed like an escape—but now it had trapped her. Her love for books was being overshadowed by guilt.
The next morning, she walked to the library—heart pounding.
“Ma’am,” she said, voice shaking, “I lied. I didn’t return the book. I lost it at home. I’m so sorry.”
Mrs. Kelkar was silent for a moment. Then she nodded. “Thank you for telling the truth. I’m disappointed that you lied—but proud that you chose to fix it.”
Together, they wrote a letter to the principal, and Nikita’s parents agreed to replace the lost book.
The best part?
That weekend, while helping her mother clean behind the fridge, Nikita found a plastic bag. Inside it—dusty, bent, and slightly greasy—was The Secret of the Old Fort.
She laughed, half in relief, half in disbelief.
On Monday, she returned the book, apologised again, and taped a note inside the cover:
“If you ever lose your way—be honest. It’s the best way back.”
– Nikita D.”
From then on, she wasn’t just known as “Bookworm Nikita”—but also as the girl who had the courage to make things right.
Moral: Owning up to a mistake takes more strength than hiding it. Truth always finds a way—and so does courage.
It takes real courage to say, “I was wrong.” But every mistake we accept becomes a step towards becoming wiser and kinder.
🌱 Reflection Note
👧 For Children:
It’s okay to make mistakes—everyone does. But it takes real courage to say, “I was wrong.”
Like Nikita, you might feel scared at first, but telling the truth helps you feel free and builds trust.
Think:
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Have I ever hidden a mistake?
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How did that feel?
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What happened when I told the truth?
👉 Being honest is a brave choice.
👩🏫 For Educators:
This story shows how fear, honesty, and responsibility play out in real-life situations.
Use it to start a class talk or journal prompt.
Key idea: Create a safe space where children feel supported to own their mistakes—and grow from them.
Wonderful story and such stories are most needed to be told in Schools and in every home
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