Riya was a studious girl with a deep interest in history and old things. During summer vacation, she traveled with her parents to Rajasthan, where her grandmother lived in an old haveli. The haveli was grand and beautiful, but also seemed a bit mysterious.
On the first day, while exploring, Riya noticed a locked room upstairs. The door was made of intricately carved wood with a large lock. She asked her grandmother, “Dadi, why is this room always locked?”
Her grandmother smiled and said, “Riya, this room is very old. It holds many of your great-grandfather’s belongings.” Riya’s curiosity grew, and she asked, “Dadi, can I go inside?”
After some thought, her grandmother agreed, “Alright, but only if you don’t go alone and don’t touch anything inside.” Overjoyed, Riya convinced her older brother, Aditya, to help open the room the next day.
In the morning, Aditya used old tools to break the lock. The room was dusty, filled with old books, brass utensils, and swords hanging on the walls. On a table stood a locked cabinet. As Aditya tried to open it, a faint light glowed from inside. Startled, Riya and Aditya carefully opened the cabinet to find an antique silver key studded with diamonds.
They wondered if this key could unlock the room’s secrets. They showed it to their grandmother, who was astonished. She revealed it was her great-grandfather’s long-lost key.
Using the key, Riya and Aditya opened a secret room. Inside were chests filled with gold coins, gem-encrusted jewelry, and walls adorned with ancient paintings. They also found an old map marked with a path to a treasure.
For days, Riya and Aditya studied the map. They believed they had located the treasure near a dry well behind the haveli.
Excited, they went to the well at night. Aditya tried descending with a rope, but it snapped, and he fell into the well. Riya screamed for help.
Her cries alerted their grandmother and nearby villagers. Dadi quickly called the fire department, who rescued Aditya. He was slightly injured but safe.
Moral of the story: This incident taught Riya a lesson. She learned that greed is never good. Additionally, one should respect and preserve old things.