Story 5 . A peep into the future by Syed Akif Shoaib

Thirteen-year-old Shayaan had just moved with his parents to a strange new town. The residents of the place seemed very intelligent as well as inquisitive. That was probably why they were always inventing new things.

Soon after they had settled down, Shayaan made a friend. His name was Shehnil and his father was supposed to be the most brilliant scientist cum inventor around. Once when Shayaan invited Shehnil over to his house, he politely declined saying that he had to help his father, who was busy inventing a time machine.

“A time machine!” Shayaan exclaimed. “But that's impossible.”

“You never know. Well, we'll soon find out when my father finishes giving the last touches to the machine.” Shehnil explained.

The next day both boys quietly tiptoed to Shehnil's father's inventing lab where Shayaan saw the elegant machine. Now all that remained to be seen was whether it worked? The boys' curiosity kept on growing until Shehnil announced, “I think I know how to work this thing. Want to give it a try?”

Shayaan was game too. Both of them climbed inside and shut the door. Shehnil punched in the year 9999. And then they were off!

Upon reaching their desired destination they were both astounded to find no signs of life. The boys were just exploring their future world in a constant state of disbelief when an alien sort of thing mysteriously appeared from no where. They were scared out of their wits but even before they could react or say anything it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. But it also left a message on a piece of paper. Shayaan and Shehnil picked it up and started reading. This is what it said:

Look around yourselves, Earthlings, this will be your world in 9999. Do you know why there are no signs of life? It is because of the killings, wars, rebellions and other violent practises you have been engaged in all this while. If it wasn't that, then there was pollution which has aided as much in destroying your people as the violence.

We know you are from the past. Our advice to you is to stop the wars, crimes and other illegal practices. This world has been granted to you by God Almighty. You have no right to spoil it. Wake up, for the sake of other living creatures as well as for yourselves. I hope you understand.

On reading this, Shayaan's and Shehnyl's eyes filled with tears. They felt ashamed of being part of the human race. They made a promise to themselves and to each other to do whatever was possible to save their beautiful world. After reaching their own time, they started practising kindness and forgiveness and made an example of themselves which could be followed be others. The following is what they would say and truly believed in themselves:

“Do all the good you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the time you can,

To all the people you can,

In all the ways you can,

As long as you can.”

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