When summer comes, it brings stifling heat and children’s long school holidays. Children hardly notice how hot it is, to them summer means one thing — time off from school.

There will be no schoolwork, no tuition, no tension — just wandering about, visiting family, meeting cousins and having a lot of fun. Bilal felt the same way. He lived in a house with his older sister, parents and grandfather.

One afternoon he came home from school and ran to his mother. Ammi came out from the kitchen and greeted him.

“Assalamu alaikum, beta. The holidays start in two days. Aren’t you excited?” she asked.

“Yes! I can’t wait to play all day,” Bilal answered.

Ammi laughed but then shook her head. “Bilal, you can’t ignore your holiday homework.”

“Yes, the teachers won’t let us have peace if we don’t do it,” Appi added.

“Oh, Appi! You’ve spoiled the mood. I just........

© Dawn Young Magazine