The Power of Unity

The Power of Unity A Story of Four Friends

BY:Ubaid

Mahwish Akhtar, North Karachi

Mariam and Ali were siblings, while Sikandar and Zainab lived in the same neighborhood. The four of them had known each other since early childhood. Their houses were close, their schools the same, and their childhood games had always been played together in the narrow streets of the neighborhood. Because of this, their bond was not just friendship but more like a small family of their own.

Ali was in grade nine, while the other three were in grade ten. They were young, full of energy, and eager to bring change to their surroundings. Every day as they walked through the streets, they noticed the growing heaps of garbage at street corners, overflowing drains, and the unpleasant smell that made life uncomfortable for everyone. While the elders of the area often complained, they rarely took any action. The children, however, began to wonder: Why should we wait for others to fix this problem when we can do something ourselves?

One summer afternoon, they sat together outside Ali’s house, planning. Mariam, who was always practical and organized, took out a notebook and said,
“Let’s make a proper list of what we need. If we want to clean the neighborhood, we should work systematically.”

Ali added, “First we’ll need brooms, dustpans, gloves, and garbage bins. And maybe some posters to make people aware.”

Sikandar, the most energetic among them, quickly replied, “And let’s not forget we’ll need money for all this. So first we’ll have to convince our parents.”

The four laughed nervously, because they knew their parents would either dismiss the idea as childish or worry that it was too big a task. Still, their determination was strong. The very next day, they went to Sikandar’s house first. His mother, a kind and wise woman, listened carefully as they explained their plan. Instead of discouraging them, she smiled warmly.

“This is a wonderful idea,” she said. “You children are showing more sense than most adults. I will talk to your parents and help you get permission.”

True to her word, she convinced the other parents that the children’s intentions were good and that they should be encouraged. With parental approval secured, the four friends moved to the next stage: raising money.

They knocked from door to door, politely explaining their mission to clean the neighborhood. Because the residents already knew these children and trusted them, they happily contributed whatever they could. Some gave cash, others promised to donate in kind. By the end of two days, the children had collected enough to begin.

With the collected money, they bought brooms, garbage bins, and cleaning gloves. They even contacted the local authorities to repair the broken sewage line. It took three days for the repair to be completed, but the children remained patient, watching eagerly as workers fixed the drainage.

Finally, the time came for the real work. Early in the morning, Ali and Sikandar picked up the brooms, while Mariam and Zainab took charge of lifting garbage and placing it into the new bins. They worked with energy, teasing each other, laughing, and singing small rhymes as they swept. Their joy was contagious. Soon, other children from the neighborhood, curious at first, began bringing brooms from their homes and joined in.

What started as four children’s mission had now turned into a small movement. The narrow lanes, once filled with trash and filth, began to sparkle. The walls looked brighter, the air felt fresher, and most importantly, everyone could see the difference.

When the four friends finally stepped back to look at their work, their faces shone with pride. “Look,” Sikandar said breathlessly, “this is what teamwork can do.”

But suddenly Ali noticed someone missing. “Where’s Zainab?” he asked. Mariam pointed towards the street corner. “She went to place one of the garbage bins there.”

When they reached, they found Zainab painting bold words on the bin: “Use Me.” She smiled shyly. “I thought this will remind people every time they see it. If we want change, we must also remind people to keep the place clean.”

The others clapped for her creativity. Ali then said seriously, “Now we have one last task to complete. Cleaning once is not enough. We must make sure people keep it this way.”

The following day, they designed and distributed pamphlets to all the houses. The pamphlets thanked the residents for supporting the clean-up drive and also listed simple instructions to maintain cleanliness: throw garbage only in bins, avoid littering, and report any broken drains immediately.

The response was overwhelming. The residents not only praised the children but also promised to follow these instructions. Some even suggested forming a small community committee to ensure cleanliness permanently. The children’s eyes sparkled with happiness.

They had not only cleaned their neighborhood but also inspired the adults to take responsibility. They had shown that solutions do not come from endless complaints but from action.

Ali’s father, who had initially been skeptical, later said proudly, “You children have given us a lesson. We wait for the government, we wait for authorities, but in truth, every person must do their part. Just as drops of water make an ocean, every small effort leads to a big change.”

The story of their success spread beyond their street. People from other nearby lanes began to notice and considered doing the same. The four friends had unknowingly started a small movement, proving that age is no barrier to making a difference.

From that day onwards, their friendship was remembered not only for childhood games but also for their contribution to the community. The neighborhood remained cleaner, brighter, and healthier—thanks to the determination of four young hearts who believed in action over words.

And whenever the four sat together in the evening, watching the sun set over their clean street, they felt a sense of fulfillment that no exam grade or video game could give. They had discovered the power of unity, responsibility, and hope.