The Tale of Friendship by the River

In a peaceful village nestled between rolling hills and lush green fields, there lived four inseparable friends: Aman, Ravi, Kunal, and Deepak. These boys had been friends since childhood, their bond formed through years of shared adventures, laughter, and occasional mischief. The village, though small, was their entire world, and the most beloved place of all was the riverbank.

Every day after school, the boys would head to the river. This river, which meandered through their village, was the lifeblood of the community. The elders used its waters for farming, the women washed clothes by its edge, and the children, like Aman and his friends, would bathe in its cool waters before settling on the grassy banks to relax.

One hot summer afternoon, after a refreshing dip in the river, the boys settled under their favourite banyan tree. They were laughing and talking about the usual things—schoolwork, village cricket, and the latest tricks played on their neighbours—when something strange happened.

As they looked towards the river, a sudden splash caught their attention. At first, they thought it was just a fish leaping, but this splash was different. It was bigger, more deliberate, as if trying to get their attention.

“What was that?” asked Kunal, sitting up straight.

“Probably just a big fish,” Ravi shrugged, but his eyes stayed on the water.

Then, to everyone’s surprise, a fish emerged from the river, but not just any fish. It was larger than any they had seen before, and its scales shimmered in a strange, glowing silver, almost as if it had caught the sunlight and held onto it. But what was even more unusual were its eyes. They weren’t the cold, blank eyes of a typical fish; instead, they looked warm and expressive, filled with curiosity and intelligence.

The fish swam closer to the edge of the river, as if it wanted to approach them. The boys, usually bold and fearless, found themselves both intrigued and hesitant. Deepak, the most cautious of the group, whispered, “Do you think we should go closer?”

But Aman, always the most adventurous, stepped forward. “Come on, it’s just a fish. A very strange fish, but still a fish.” He knelt down by the water’s edge, motioning for the others to follow.

The fish, to their amazement, didn’t swim away. Instead, it floated there, watching them intently, almost as if it was waiting for something.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, Kunal laughed nervously. “What if it’s trying to talk to us?”

“That’s ridiculous,” Ravi chuckled, but before they could joke any further, the fish did something none of them expected. It began to splash its fins rhythmically, creating a pattern in the water. The boys leaned closer, mesmerised by the sight.

Days passed, and every afternoon, the boys would come to the riverbank after their baths, and the fish would always be there, waiting for them. They soon realised that the strange fish wasn’t just passing by; it had made the riverbank its home, just like them. Slowly, a unique bond developed between the boys and the fish.

They named the fish “Chhaya,” because its shimmering silver scales reminded them of the shadows cast on the river during sunset. Chhaya became a part of their daily routine. The boys would bring small snacks—pieces of bread or fruits—to share with their new friend. Amazingly, Chhaya would take the offerings gently, as if it understood the boys’ gestures of friendship.

One evening, after spending time at the riverbank, Aman had an idea. “Do you think we could teach Chhaya tricks? You know, like people train dogs or parrots?”

At first, the others laughed at the absurdity of the idea, but curiosity won over. Over the next few days, they tried small tricks—tossing a pebble into the water, and to their astonishment, Chhaya would circle the spot where the stone had dropped. Soon, the fish began to mimic their movements, following their gestures with its glistening fins.

The friendship grew stronger with each passing day, and soon, the whole village had heard about the strange friendship between the four boys and the mysterious fish. Some villagers came to see for themselves, and while many were amused, others warned the boys to be careful. "There’s something magical about that fish," the village elder once said. "It’s not just an ordinary creature."

But the boys didn’t care. To them, Chhaya was a friend, a companion who had become part of their lives.

Then, one afternoon, something strange happened. The river, which had always been calm and welcoming, seemed to change. Dark clouds gathered above, and the water became turbulent. The boys stood by the riverbank, calling for Chhaya, but the fish didn’t appear. Hours passed, and they began to worry.

Suddenly, amidst the rising waves, they saw Chhaya struggling, caught in a whirlpool. Without thinking, the boys jumped into action. Working together, they used long sticks and ropes to reach their friend. It was a difficult task, but their determination and love for Chhaya gave them strength. Finally, they managed to pull the fish free from the swirling waters.

Exhausted but relieved, the boys sat by the riverbank, watching as Chhaya, safe once more, swam in slow, grateful circles around them. That evening, as the sun set over the horizon, they realised just how deep their bond had become. It wasn’t just a friendship with a fish; it was a connection that transcended words and species, a symbol of trust, loyalty, and love.

From that day on, Chhaya continued to visit the riverbank, and the boys, now more grateful than ever, knew they had found a true friend in the most unexpected place.