A DREAM THAT BROUGHT A BIG CHANGE
Reading For Information:
Kamal was standing at the railway station. All his classmates were getting on
the train. They were laughing and waving at him as the train left the station.
Kamal waved back at them but he was crying. The doctor at the school had said
that Kamal was weak and unhealthy. He should not be allowed to go to Lahore,
Islamabad and Murree with his classmates.
“What is wrong with me?” he had asked the doctor.
“You are weak. You will not be able to walk long distances and climb hills,”
replied the doctor.
“But, I always walk to school,” said Kamal.
“Yes,” said the doctor, “but your house is near the school. Besides, you have a
bad cough and sometimes you have a fever. How can you walk long distances
and carry your bags and other things when you are not well?”
“But why am I weak and sick? Why are all the other boys well?” asked Kamal.
“Your friends, Yousuf and Ejaz, are also not healthy. They will also not be
allowed to go,” said the doctor.
“Please tell me what I should do to be well and healthy,” said Kamal.
“You should take proper food. You should do physical exercise. You should
sleep early and wake up early. You should not eat too many sweets, paan, or
Chaliya. Instead, you should eat fruits and vegetables. You should also take a
bath daily and wash your hands before every meal. Also, wash the fruits and
vegetables before you eat them,” said the doctor.
“Please let me go to Murree. I will do what you tell me. Please let me go.
Please, please, please,” cried Kamal.
“Kamal. Wake up. Why are you crying? Did you have a bad dream?” Kamal’s
mother was shaking him.
Kamal opened his eyes and looked at his mother. Then he quickly got out of
bed and said, “Mother, I will eat whatever food you give me. I know that you
always tell me to eat proper food but I never listen to you. From today, I will
have everything: milk, fish, meat, vegetables, and fruits because I want to be
healthy. I will not eat too many sweets and paan and chaliya because these
things make us sick and unhealthy.”
“I’m happy to hear this,” said his mother. “Go brush your teeth, wash your
hands and face. Then come and have breakfast.”
“Yes, mother. And I will also take a bath every day before going to bed because
if we remain clean we will not fall sick,” said Kamal. “And I will also play outside
with my friends after I finish my homework because physical exercise is good
for health, mother,” said Kamal.
“Yes, my son,” she said.
“And,” continued Kamal “I will not watch too much television but will go to bed
early because I want to be fresh and active when I wake up in the morning for
school.”
Kamal’s mother was very surprised when she heard him say all these things.
She did not know what had brought about this change. But, she was very
happy that he was now going to change his lifestyle to become a
strong and healthy boy.