The Lost ID Card That Changed Everything

The Lost ID Card That Changed Everything

BY Khan

It was quite late at night, but Razi was still awake. Sleep was the last thing on his mind — he didn’t want to go to bed until he finished his painting. Just a little while ago, his mother had come into his room and asked, “Razi, why is your light still on? It’s late! You should be asleep by now.”

Razi looked up and said, “Mama, there’s an art competition at school. The best painting will win a prize and be displayed at a big city exhibition.”

His mother smiled warmly. “That’s wonderful, my dear. But don’t stay up too late. Goodnight, and finish it tomorrow.” She kissed his forehead and left the room.

Now, sitting at his small desk, surrounded by brushes, paints, and papers, Razi stared at the blank canvas. He wanted to create something extraordinary — a true masterpiece. But every time an idea came to his mind, he’d shake his head and think, No, that’s not good enough. I can do better.

Hours passed. The night grew deeper, quieter. Finally, he decided to just begin. Maybe the ideas will come while I paint, he thought.

As he picked up his brush, a sudden memory flashed before his eyes — something from earlier that evening. While walking back from the park, he had found an ID card lying on the road. Curious, he had picked it up and shown it to his friends.

“Maybe it belongs to one of your dads?” he had asked.

His friends shook their heads. “No, not ours.”

One of them said, “The man in this picture looks like a foreigner.”

Another chimed in, “But wow, look at his hairstyle! It’s so cool!”

Now, sitting in his room, Razi’s eyes lit up. That’s it! he thought excitedly. I’ll paint the man from the ID card!

He placed the card next to his canvas and began painting. Stroke by stroke, color by color, the mysterious man began to appear — sharp features, thoughtful eyes, and elegant hair. Razi took special care in recreating the hairstyle, just as his friends had admired. When he was done, he wrote a small caption under the painting: “The Unknown Friend.”

The next morning, the school hall buzzed with excitement. The art competition was in full swing, and many students had brought their best work. A panel of famous artists had been invited as judges. When it was time to announce the results, everyone held their breath.

“The first prize,” the head judge declared, “goes to Razi, for his painting The Unknown Friend!”

The hall erupted in applause. Razi’s face lit up with joy. His painting was not only the winner — it was also chosen to be displayed in a major city art exhibition.

The day of the exhibition arrived. Razi attended with his proud parents. They listened as people admired his work.

“Look at the detail in the man’s face,” one visitor said. “Such expression!”

“His hair — it’s painted beautifully,” said another. “This child has real talent!”

Razi and his parents beamed with happiness, soaking in the praise. But suddenly, a quiet voice behind them said, “Excuse me…”

They turned around — and froze.

Standing there was the same man from the painting. The man whose face Razi had painted from the ID card. He looked from the painting to Razi, astonished.

“Son,” he asked gently, “where did you see me?”

Razi swallowed nervously. “I found an ID card on the road a few days ago. It had your picture on it.”

The man’s eyes widened. “You… found my ID card? I’ve been searching for it for days!”

“Yes,” Razi said, smiling. “I kept it safe.”

The man sighed in relief. “Thank goodness. I can’t tell you how worried I was.”

He introduced himself to Razi’s parents, who warmly invited him to their home. The next day, the man — whose name was Mr. Alexander, a visitor from Greece — came with gifts for Razi. He explained that he held an important position in his country and had come to Pakistan for tourism. Losing his ID had been a serious concern, but fate had returned it to him — through a boy’s painting.

From that day on, Razi’s family and Mr. Alexander became close friends. He often visited them, and Razi learned that Alexander had a son around his age who also loved painting. The two boys became fast friends despite the distance between their countries.

During his stay, Razi’s father showed Alexander many beautiful places in Pakistan — places even locals sometimes overlooked. “Your country is full of wonder,” Alexander said. “I will never forget this journey.”

When it was time for Alexander and his family to return to Greece, Razi felt deeply sad. But before leaving, Alexander promised, “You will visit us one day, my dear friend.”

And he kept that promise.

A few years later, Razi and his parents traveled to Greece at Alexander’s invitation. They were amazed by the beauty of the country — the blue seas, the ancient temples, the warmth of the people. The two families grew even closer, their friendship crossing borders and languages.

Time passed. Razi grew up and became a doctor. Life took a beautiful turn when he married Mariana, Alexander’s daughter — the same girl he had met years ago during his visit to Greece.

They lived happily together, though sometimes small arguments would arise, as in every marriage. And every time they quarreled, one of them would say teasingly,

“I wish you had never found that ID card!”

To which the other would laugh and reply,

“Well, I wish your father had never lost it!”

Then they would both burst out laughing, their anger melting away — reminded of how one lost ID card had changed the course of their lives forever.