A Sparkling Safe Diwali: Anu and Arjun’s Adventure

In the bustling town of Chandanpur, where the air buzzed with Diwali excitement, lived ten-year-old twins Anu and Arjun. Their street sparkled with diyas, rangoli, and laughter, but the twins were most thrilled about firecrackers. Every year, they watched their older cousins light fountains and sparklers, dreaming of joining in. This Diwali, their parents finally agreed they were old enough to try, but only if they learned how to stay safe. With their curious minds and a love for animals, Anu and Arjun set out on an adventure to discover the secrets of a safe and kind Diwali, not just for themselves but also for the street dogs and birds they adored.

The Sparkler Lesson

On Diwali eve, the twins ran to their neighbor, Uncle Ravi, a retired fireman who knew everything about safety. “Uncle, how do we light crackers without getting hurt?” Anu asked, her eyes wide. Uncle Ravi smiled and handed them each a sparkler. “First rule,” he said, “always light crackers in an open space, away from houses or dry leaves. Fire can spread fast!” He showed them how to hold a sparkler at arm’s length and light it with a long agarbatti, not a matchstick. “Never bend over a cracker, and don’t wear loose clothes that could catch fire,” he warned.

Arjun, always a bit daring, asked, “What if a cracker doesn’t light up?” Uncle Ravi’s face turned serious. “Never try to relight it, Arjun. It might explode suddenly. Wait, then soak it in water before throwing it away.” He also gave them cotton gloves and told them to wear closed shoes to protect their hands and feet. Anu scribbled in her notebook: Open space, long agarbatti, no loose clothes, don’t relight duds. The twins felt like safety detectives, ready for their next clue.

The Stray Dog Surprise

As they walked home, Anu noticed their favorite street dog, Moti, hiding under a cart, his ears flat. “He’s scared!” she cried. Arjun remembered the loud bangs from last Diwali that made Moti run away. They rushed to their friend Priya, who helped at an animal shelter. “Firecrackers sound like thunder to dogs,” Priya explained. “Their ears are super sensitive, and they can get hurt running from the noise or even burned by sparks.”

Priya taught them how to help. “Find a quiet corner, like under the temple stairs, and put a blanket there for Moti to hide. Leave water and some boiled rice nearby, so he feels safe.” Anu and Arjun ran to their colony’s watchman, Uncle Sanjay, and asked him to tell everyone not to burst crackers near Moti’s spot. They also tied a bright ribbon around Moti’s neck to make him visible at night. Anu added to her notebook: Make safe spots for dogs, give food and water, use bright ribbons.

The Bird Rescue Mission

The next morning, Arjun spotted a sparrow flapping weakly near their balcony. “The smoke must be making it sick!” he said. Their teacher, Ms. Lila, had once told them that birds get scared by loud noises and choke on cracker smoke. The twins decided to visit Ms. Lila for advice. “Birds can crash into things when they’re scared,” she said. “And smoke hurts their tiny lungs.” She suggested placing shallow bowls of water in the garden for wild birds to drink, as pollution dries up their water sources.

For their pet parrot, Kiki, Ms. Lila advised moving his cage to a quiet room, covering it with a light cloth to block flashes, and playing soft music to calm him. “Clean up cracker waste after Diwali,” she added, “so birds don’t eat it by mistake.” Arjun and Anu promised to tell their friends to use diyas and lanterns instead of loud crackers. Anu wrote: Water for wild birds, quiet room for pet birds, clean up debris.

The Big Diwali Night

On Diwali night, Chandanpur glowed with lights. Anu and Arjun, armed with their safety tips, wore cotton kurtas and shoes, and carried a bucket of water just in case. They lit sparklers carefully in the park, cheering as golden sparks danced. When a fountain cracker fizzled out, Arjun remembered Uncle Ravi’s advice and left it alone, soaking it later. Their parents beamed with pride.

The twins also checked on Moti, who was cozy in his safe spot with a full bowl of rice. They placed water bowls for birds in the garden and moved Kiki’s cage to their bedroom, where he chirped happily to soft music. Their friends joined in, choosing quieter crackers and helping clean up the next day to keep the streets safe for animals.

A Kinder Diwali

As the night ended, Anu and Arjun sat on their balcony, watching diyas flicker. They realized Diwali wasn’t just about lights and sweets—it was about keeping everyone safe, from kids to street dogs to tiny sparrows. By being careful with crackers and kind to animals, they made their town’s Diwali brighter and happier for all.

“Next year,” Anu whispered, “let’s make it even safer!” Arjun nodded, already planning to share their notebook with the whole school. With hearts full of joy and compassion, they wished everyone a Happy Diwali from Chandanpur—and www.hindutone.com!

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