For children: Swami has a problem. He simply can’t stop himself from tickling everyone around him

Swami had never backed down from a challenge. But he was feeling quite nervous when he approached the large curly head of Pappan during lunch break the next day.

As usual, Pappan was fast asleep on the bench next to the shed behind the primary section. Swami’s fingers were tingling with excitement. But he could also feel a tight knot forming inside his stomach.

“Why is he stopping?” asked Daksh, who was hiding around the corner.

Aarav leaned on his friend and poked his head out. “Do you think he will chicken out?” he gulped. Nivaan pushed his knuckles to his teeth.

“You can do it, Swami,” he muttered, under his breath.

But Swami was having second thoughts now.

Don’t be such a scaredy-cat, his fingers scolded him.

Have you seen the broom lying next to him, he shot back. What if Pappan chases me around the school with it?

Swami was about to abandon his mission when he thought of Nivaan. Nivaan would tell everyone I was a darpok. No, he could never let that happen. Swami crept up to the sleeping figure. He could see Pappan’s thick moustache moving up and down through the snores.

Swami said a quick prayer and plunged his fingers into the gardener’s sides. Pappan had eaten a large portion of spicy...

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