By Frank Lucasale 
Hush now, children, come closer to the fire… let me tell you a story you won’t forget. It is the tale of a little boy who carried a curse upon his shoulders, a curse so strange that even the stars leaned closer to listen…
Once Upon a Time…
Long ago, in a quiet village surrounded by dark forests and golden fields, there lived a boy named Aarav. He wasn’t like the other children. Oh no, whenever Aarav laughed, the flowers closed instead of blooming. Whenever he cried, the river near the village began to overflow. The villagers whispered, “He is cursed!”
Now, children, imagine how lonely the poor boy felt. No one wanted to play with him. Mothers pulled their children away, and fathers locked their doors at night. The whole world seemed afraid of a small boy who longed only for friendship.
The Secret in the Forest
One evening, unable to bear the silence, Aarav wandered into the forest. The owls hooted, and the wind whistled through the trees. Suddenly, a crooked old woman appeared, her back bent like a bow, her eyes glowing like fireflies.
“Little one,” she croaked, “a curse is nothing but a story people choose to believe. But if you dare, you can change your story.”
She gave Aarav a task: find the “Heart of Dawn,” a hidden light that could turn curses into blessings.
The Journey of Courage
So Aarav walked through nights colder than ice and days hotter than fire. He crossed rivers that tried to drown him, and mountains that mocked his small steps. But with every challenge, his heart grew stronger.
Children, do you know the secret here? It wasn’t the curse making him different. It was courage, the kind that few people ever discover.
The Ending… Or a Beginning?
When Aarav finally touched the “Heart of Dawn,” the sky split with light. His laughter made flowers bloom at last, and his tears watered the earth so crops grew greener than ever. The villagers no longer whispered in fear—they sang his name in gratitude.
But listen carefully, my little ones: some say the boy still walks the earth, turning pain into strength, curses into blessings. If you ever feel lonely or misunderstood, perhaps Aarav’s story is still unfolding… through you.
Moral of the Story
Every curse can become a gift if you face it with courage. A story of mystery and wonder becomes a lesson for life.