THE HOLI DARE

Holi was approching in two days, and Mili meerkat, Rohit raccoon, Popo parakeet, and Hasan hedgehog were discussing how to celebrate the festival.

- Vivek Chakravarty

What mischief are all of you planning this time?" Colin crocodile asked, ambling in.

"Holi is a festival of colours, not pranks," said Mili, rolling her eyes. "And anyway, everyone in our Flora Forest knows who the real troublemaker is!"

"Bah, your lectures and ideals. Your Holi is the most boring one each year. You don't even know how to have fun!" Colin mocked them.

"Colin, festivals are meant for spreading joy, not trouble," Mili shot back at him.

Colin laughed. "The truth is, you're scared! If you had any courage, you'd celebrate Holi like me-by doing daring things."

"Daring things?" Rohit raccoon asked.

"Last year, I drenched Dinky deer in colours!" Colin boasted.

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

"But Dinky hates colours," said Popo parakeet, flapping his wings.

"Exactly. And still, I managed to colour her.

That's what I call daring!" Colin said proudly.

"Didn't Dinky get mad at you?" Hasan hedgehog asked, doubtfully.

"I hid myself before he could react, and shouted-don't get angry, it is Holi! She still doesn't know that it was me," Colin chuckled.

"I don't believe it. Besides, putting Holi colours on those who don't want to play, is not cool," Mili meerkat said sternly.

"Oh, stop making excuses! I dare YOU to colour Dinky then. No? Then try colouring Elmo elephant. If you manage that, I'll believe you're not a coward!" Colin challenged Mili.