Wishes!!

It was winter again. The times in North India when everyone will be cosied up in their grand winterwear, snuggled into their beds with warm razais and quilts, sipping onto cups of warm tea or soups keeping themselves warm. But, yes, this is only for those who can afford it. What about the innumerable innocent people who don't even have a roof on their heads?

Richa was as usual really upset with these facts. Every day, on her way back home in the evenings, she witnesses these people struggling to keep themselves warm. Though she does contribute to making their life's better, she realises that it's never enough.

Right outside her house in Munirka, she finds so many kids struggling. Her heart bleeds and she wishes every day that she could give some warm food to these poor children. She does what she can in the evening but as Delhi was not safe, her family advised her to be back early.

One early morning, the surprise of a surprise, she finds that bright light in her room has woken her up.

"Who's here?" Richa asks.

"Worry not, dear, I'm your guardian angel," replied the strange one

Richa was wonderstruck. She couldn't understand what was happening.

The supposed guardian angel asked, "Do you believe in Cinderella?"

"Of course, she was my favourite fairy tale character," she replied.

"Good for you then. Cinderella has sent me to you with a message. Every evening, at 8, the magic carriage with the driver and four horses will be before you, waiting.

You can use it to go to all the slum areas you wish to in Delhi city and donate warm food to all the children and other poor people in need of. You will get whatever food you want from the magic cauldron in the carriage.

Just remember to wear Cinderella's glass slipper before you embark on your journey.

Remember, once the clocks strike 12, it will all be gone as Cinderella needs it back. This is solely for your use for until the end of winter."

“Am I dreaming?” said Richa, looking around her.

“It is as real, as real can be,” said the guardian angel.

“That's fantastic. I will be able to help so so many people have food and not be hungry,” said Richa.

“Good idea,” said the Fairy Godmother. She stepped back. “My work is done.” And with that, the angel was gone.

Richa looked around her. "Did that even happen?"

The morning Richa woke up and was pleasantly surprised they she could remember everything that happened and she was filled with a queer kind of joy.

She still didn't know if it was only a dream or she could actually feed food to the poor people of Delhi.

With complete joy and enthusiasm, she went to work and was eagerly waiting for the evening to see if the dream would actually get true.

At 8 sharp, post her dinner time, Richa was amazed to see a carriage with a driver and four horses waiting outside her home.

“Coming?” called the driver.

Gingerly, she stepped into the carriage. And they were off.

The angel had assured her that it was all safe and the carriage wouldn't be visible to others but they could only see her and her food and goodies.

Richa could finally do what she always wished for.