The Tale of Two Best Friends

Once upon a time, in a small town, there were two inseparable friends named Arjun and Surya. Both were known for their wit, charm, and intelligence. They had been the closest of friends since kindergarten, and everyone admired how they always stuck together through thick and thin. They helped each other with homework, shared their lunch, and competed in various school activities as a team.

One day, the school announced a grand competition that involved public speaking, and the entire class was abuzz with excitement. Arjun and Surya were especially thrilled because public speaking was their forte. They practiced for weeks, perfecting their speech and timing every word with care. Their shared goal was to win first prize in the competition and make their families proud.

On the day of the competition, the school auditorium was filled with students, teachers, and parents. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the start of the event. Arjun stood backstage, nervously rehearsing the speech in his mind. He knew that Surya would join him soon, and together, they would shine. But as the moments ticked by, Surya was nowhere to be found.

Arjun began to worry. He had seen Surya earlier that morning, so he knew his friend was at school. As the teacher called their names to go on stage, Arjun felt a pit in his stomach. How could he compete without Surya? He stood frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do.

Deciding to take action, Arjun ran off the stage and began searching the entire school for Surya. He dashed through the corridors, checked the classrooms, and even looked in the library, but there was no sign of his friend. Time was running out, and the competition was well underway.

Finally, as Arjun passed the medical room, he peeked in and saw Surya sitting on a bed, holding his head. Arjun rushed over to his friend, heart pounding.

"Surya! Why are you here? The competition is about to start!" Arjun exclaimed.

Surya looked up at Arjun, his face pale. "I’m so sorry, Arjun. I was feeling dizzy after lunch, and the nurse told me to rest for a while. I didn't mean to miss the competition."

Arjun’s heart softened as he saw how unwell his friend looked. He knew Surya would never intentionally let him down. “It’s okay, Surya. I was just worried about you. But let’s go now. The competition hasn’t ended, and we can still make it in time.”

Surya smiled weakly, grateful for Arjun’s understanding. Together, they hurried back to the auditorium. As they arrived, they heard the host announce the final few participants. The crowd's energy was high, and the pressure mounted.

Arjun and Surya quickly approached the judges and explained what had happened. The teachers, seeing their determination and teamwork, allowed them to perform, even though they had missed their scheduled slot.

With a deep breath, they both stepped on stage together, standing side by side, ready to face the audience. The speech they had practiced for weeks flowed effortlessly as they worked in perfect sync, each complementing the other’s words. The audience was captivated by their eloquence, their bond clearly shining through their performance.

When they finished, the crowd erupted into applause. Arjun and Surya exchanged relieved smiles, proud that they had been able to participate together despite the hurdles.

Later, as the judges announced the winners, Arjun and Surya sat with bated breath. When their names were called for first prize, they jumped up in excitement, hugging each other tightly. They had done it—together, as always.

As they walked off the stage with their trophy, Arjun turned to Surya and said, “I’m glad we didn’t give up. No matter what happens, we’ll always have each other’s back.”

Surya smiled and nodded, “Always.”

And so, the two friends left the competition not only as winners but with their friendship stronger than ever, knowing that true friendship is about being there for one another, no matter the challenge.