Mena-Raju and the Case of the Missing Ilish

Setting:

In the quiet riverside village of Shonargram, life is simple. The morning breeze carries the call of the muezzin, fishermen cast nets in the river Padma, and children run barefoot through jute fields. But peace is often short-lived when Mena and Raju, the village’s most curious duo, are around.

Characters:

Mena: Clever, fearless, and a bit bossy, Mena is known for her quick thinking and sharp tongue. She wears a bright red salwar kameez and always carries a notebook labeled “Mission Ideas”.

Raju: Mena’s best friend and partner in crime (and sometimes in getting scolded). He’s lazy but loyal, always hungry, and dreams of becoming a famous detective—mostly to get out of homework.

Mena's mother, Ammu is a kind but strict woman who wears slippers that fly like the wind. Mama Kashem: The village shopkeeper and gossip king, always ready with wild theories.

Chapter 1: The Vanishing Fish

It all began one lazy afternoon. Raju was licking the last bit of tamarind pickle off his fingers when Mena burst into the courtyard.

“Raju! Emergency! Ilish is missing from Ammu! “Not the Ilish!” Raju exhaled. "That was for lunch on Eid!" The prized fish, bought after haggling for 30 minutes at the market, had vanished from the clay pot by the kitchen.

Chapter 2: List of Suspects Mena took her notebook from her. She and Raju began listing suspects:

The sneaky village cat, Shurjodoy

The one-legged avaricious crow Uncle Rahim, who always ‘accidentally’ visits at mealtime

Or maybe... Raju himself?

“Hey!” Raju objected. “I may be hungry, but I’d never betray the Ilish!”

The Hints in Chapter 3 They interviewed neighbors, inspected fish bones, and even interrogated the cat (who meowed suspiciously).

After that, they found it: a line of drops of mustard oil that led toward the riverbank. "Someone attempted to wash their hands of fish!" Mena exclaimed. “It’s sabotage!”

Chapter 4: The Fishy Truth

The trail ended at Mama Kashem’s store, where they found a clue: a fish scale stuck to a packet of puffed rice.

Faced with Mena’s glare and Raju’s stomach growl, Mama Kashem broke.

“Alright! I confess! I didn’t steal it. I discovered it outside of your kitchen. I thought it was a sign from Allah.”

“You thought a raw, marinated Ilish was a sign from the heavens?” Mena groaned.

“Well... it was Friday.”

Chapter 5: Justice and Luchi

Mena made a deal: Mama Kashem would replace the fish and give them free muri and chanachur for a week.

The next day, Ammu cooked the best Ilish curry in all of Shonargram. Mena and Raju sat cross-legged, stuffing themselves with rice, fish, and endless laughter.

“Another case closed,” Raju said, licking his fingers again.

“And another lesson learned,” Mena added. “Always guard the Ilish.”

The End