500 Words 2023: read a finalist's story from the 5-7 category

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This story was chosen as a top 50 finalist for 500 Words 2023.

Remember, spelling, punctuation and grammar are not taken into account for a 500 Words story, therefore all the top 50 stories have been published how they were submitted.

The Night Before Diwali by Leela K.

Twas' the night before Diwali, and excitement filled the air. It was a cold, crisp night and the full moon shone brightly in the sky.

Maya and Shyam's mummy sat on the edge of their bed with a big book in her hands. It was the Ramayana, full of stories about heroes and adventures. She told them about how Lord Rama was thrown out of his palace, and how he had to live in a forest for many years without even having a proper pair of shoes! She told them about how his wife, Sita, was kidnapped by the evil Demon Ravana! And how Rama and his best friend Hanuman, a brave Monkey God, defeated Ravana in an epic battle. As Rama returned home the people in the town lit candles to represent a victory of good over evil.

'And that is why we have Diwali', said the children's mummy as she put down the book and kissed them goodnight.

Maya and Shyam gently fell asleep as the light of the Diwa candles flickered in the night. They were woken up by a quiet rumble, which grew louder. It seemed to be coming from the open and now shaking book. With a huge bang, two demons leapt out of the book. The children instantly recognized the ten-headed Ravana and his giant brother Kumbhkarana.

Terrified, they crawled under the bed. They weren't sure what to do next. They had never had to deal with two huge demons!

But then, something magical happened- a bright light came from the book and Maya felt a burst of energy, and suddenly, she could jump super high and run super-fast! A tail popped out of her bottom, just like Hanuman's! And to make things even better a Ghadha (golden mace) flew out of the book and into her hands.

Shyam, on the other hand, grew strong and brave, just like Rama. A giant bow and 20 golden arrows wooshed into his hands.

They turned to the demons and battled through the night. After hours of Ghadha bashing and arrow-shooting, they won! The demons got scared and ran back into the pages of the Ramayana. Maya and Shyam, tired but happy, snapped shut the big book. They made sure the demons stayed inside.

The next morning was Diwali. Maya and Shyam were so tired from their nightime adventure! When they told their parents about the demons and the battle, the grown-ups just laughed, thinking it was a funny dream.

But then, as the parents walked into the room, they saw something shiny sticking out of the wall. Golden arrows! The parents looked at each other in surprise, realizing that maybe, just maybe, their children's story was more than just a dream!

And so, as the house filled with the smell of yummy Diwali treats, Maya and Shyam's adventure became a special memory-a night of magic, awesomeness and a victory of good over evil, horrid, smelly demons!

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