Dadi's Tales
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The Mango Tree Promise
In the courtyard of Dadi’s old home stood a grand mango tree, its branches stretching wide like open arms. Every summer, it bore sweet, golden mangoes that made the whole neighborhood’s mouths water. One breezy afternoon, Chotu and Chutki sat under the tree, swinging their legs and eyeing the green mangoes swaying above. “Dadi,” Chutki asked, “When will they turn yellow? I can’t wait!” Dadi smiled, adjusting her glasses. “Baccho, achhi cheezon ka mazaa tabhi aata hai jab hum unka intezaar karte hain. Jaldi kiye toh na mithaas milti hai, na khushi.” She went on to tell them about a promise she made to this very tree when she was…
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The Swing in the Courtyard
An Evening in Dadi’s CourtyardThe summer evening breeze was cool, carrying the smell of jasmine from the garden. Chotu sat on the old wooden swing in the courtyard, pushing himself lazily with one foot. “Dadi, yeh jhoola toh bahut purana hai… kyun nahi naya lete?” he asked. Dadi chuckled, settling beside him. “Arre beta, is jhoolay par toh tumhare papa bhi baithe the… aur main unhe kahaniyan sunati thi.” Her eyes softened as she ran a hand over the smooth wooden armrest, worn shiny from years of use. “Naya cheez le sakte hain, lekin purani yaadein… woh sirf jee jaati hain, badli nahi jaati,” she said gently. Chotu looked up,…
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The Secret Ingredient
An Afternoon in Dadi’s KitchenIt was a grey, rainy afternoon. The soft patter of raindrops played on the window as Chotu impatiently stirred a pot of kheer. “Dadi, abhi tak kyun nahi bana?” he grumbled, eyeing the pot like a hungry little hawk. Dadi smiled, her bangles jingling as she added a gentle handful of sugar and crushed cardamom.“Beta, achhi cheezon ko waqt lagta hai… chahe woh kheer ho ya zindagi,” she said softly. The steam curled upward, carrying the sweet aroma through the kitchen. Minutes later, Chotu finally tasted the kheer, creamy, fragrant, and worth every second of waiting. And in that moment, without realizing it, he learned that…