Page 201 - Musings 2020

“We can do it! Come on everybody!!”, said Suchith. The winners would get a cash prize of a
whopping 7,000 Rupees. Mrs. Shenoy had already started to imagine the things she would be
able to buy for herself and Nirmala. Suchith told Grandpa to read the final clue. He had
noticed that grandpa wasn’t really getting involved and thought that he might have been
overwhelmed by everything that was going on. Grandpa read out the final clue aloud.

‘The key to freedom is in front of your eyes.
But only someone as old as time can spot the lies.’

Now, this seemed really tough. There was no proper lead on how to search for the answers.
Even Suchith, who had skillfully uncovered the second clue, was clueless now. Everybody
just began to search the entire place for answers as time was running out. Grandpa was a little
disheartened. He wanted to be of some use to help everyone out but so far he wasn’t able to
do anything. Just then, he stumbled upon a box full of newspapers. He took a proper look at
the newspaper that was on top. Mr. Shenoy was asking everybody to think again and try to
connect the dots. But this time no one was able to find anything common between the clues.
Grandpa noticed that whatever was printed in the newspaper was fake. Something about the
Second World War was written and he realized that it was false news, as he was an active
follower of World War 2 during his times. He decided to check the other newspapers. Just
then he saw one paper with some highlighted words. He called the others and told them what
was going on. Grandpa read out the highlighted words.

‘The … Key…. is… in… this… box…. under… the … newspapers….
!!??!!’

Everyone was astonished! They flipped the box upside down and voila! A key fell down! “I
can’t believe it!” “WE FOUND THE KEY!” With just 1 minute to go, everybody hurried to
the door and Nirmala took the key and opened it! They barely made it in time and were
finally outside! “We have a winner!!!”, a volunteer shouted.

The Shenoys were the first ones to actually make it in time and win the prize! Everybody was
rejoicing! They were handed the cash prize by one of the managing committee members! The
moment was too much to take in for everybody! It happened too fast... all in a flash and was
one amazing mini-adventure that they all had!

The sun was about to set. The sky was a gradient of shades of red and blue. The cold air was
setting into the atmosphere. The family decided to go back to their home. They were all
proud and lucky winners. But it was grandpa, who felt like a true winner and a hero. He was
finally happy that he was able to help his family members have a great time! Everyone
thanked grandpa or his help, without him, they wouldn’t have been able to win the prize!

*The story ends with everybody talking about what they want to do with the prize they won*

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