The final exams of Class Four were over and Ahmad was now free from studies. The only things he liked doing were sleeping and eating.
Ahmad also didn’t stroll after eating breakfast or dinner. This would often leave him feeling dizzy and full, sometimes leading to a stomach-ache. Although he was too young to develop such conditions, repeating the same habits every day was not good for his health.
One day, his mother came to his room, sat beside him and politely said, “Ahmad, a month has gone by since your summer vacation started. Engage yourself in activities like art, reading and physical games rather than sitting idle all day. It’s just a waste of time!”
“Okay, Mum, I understand. I have already made a plan with my friends to play cricket today,” Ahmad said. After some time, he asked his parents for permission to go out and play. They allowed him, but warned him to be careful at all times.
Ahmad just nodded while half-listening and went out to play. On the way, his friends Ali and Hussain also joined him. They went to the nearest park and started playing cricket.
Time passed, and they enjoyed themselves so much that they did not realise it was already past sunset. Just then, Ali said he had to leave as it was almost dusk. Realising how late it had become, Hussain also told Ahmad to go home, even though they still wanted to play.
“I will go home a bit later. You can leave,” Ahmad said, as he didn’t want to stop playing.
Hussain and Ali left, leaving Ahmad alone with his ball. Suddenly, without meaning to, Ahmad threw the ball so high that it landed far outside the playground. He thought he should leave it there and run home, since all the other children had already left. He was about to turn back when he noticed a man standing beside his ball.
The man was dressed in dark clothes. His face was not clear, as it was partially covered with a scarf. He stood completely still, staring at Ahmad. Something about him made Ahmad’s stomach tighten. He looked like the kind of person children were warned to stay away from.
Ahmad froze. His legs felt heavy, and for a moment he could not move. Then the man started walking slowly towards him.
Ahmad ran. He leapt out of the playground and sprinted as fast as he could. He took different routes, hoping to lose the man, but every time he looked back, the man seemed to be there. Adults were walking around, but no one seemed to notice what was happening. For a moment, Ahmad wondered if fear was playing tricks on his mind. But the man looked real, and he was still following him.
It was almost night when Ahmad saw a policeman at the corner of the street. He cried, “Policeman!” The policeman looked at Ahmad. The next moment, Ahmad was pointing towards the place where the man had disappeared.
“He has vanished, sir,” said Ahmad, stammering and out of breath.
The policeman led Ahmad to his home as he had lost his way. His parents were waiting anxiously at the gate. They thanked the policeman for his help.
Then Ahmad told his parents what had happened and apologised for staying out for so long, especially after dusk.
His parents listened carefully and told him that the man could have been a kidnapper and that he had been extremely lucky to get away. They reminded him that their warnings were meant to keep him safe and that staying out alone after dusk could have put him in danger.
After that day, Ahmad still played in the playground, but he never stayed there for too long. Most importantly, he learnt never to turn a deaf ear to his parents’ warnings.
Published in Dawn, Young World, September 12th, 2026
