Unexpected Christmas Gift| Story by Nishkaa, 11, Kolkata
Nishkaa Saraf, an 11-year-old from Kolkata crafts a captivating time-travel tale that will have you glued in, starting from an unexpected Christmas gift.
Unexpected Temporal Leap
On Christmas morning, I awoke unusually early, eager to unwrap my presents. Disappointed that neither Santa nor my mother had yet stirred to deliver them, I opted to take my dog for a walk. As I stepped outside, I was astounded to find a package on my porch. It seemed my parents had engaged in some last-minute shopping. Perhaps it was the new video game I’d been longing for, one involving zombies and combat, the one my parents deemed too violent. Frustrated, I yearned for the thrill of such virtual battles in real life.
Pushing aside my disappointment, I let curiosity guide me as I opened the box. To my surprise, I discovered a peculiar headset wrapped in foil. Intrigued, I examined the colorful, haphazard buttons and protruding antennas that adorned it like butterfly wings. Despite my initial dismay, the device was unlike anything I had ever seen.Allowing my impulsive side to take over, I carefully placed the headset on my head, playing with a couple of buttons. Suddenly, I found myself transported to an unfamiliar place!
Spotting another person, I approached and inquired about the time. “6:23 pm,” they replied. Astonished, I thanked them, unintentionally vocalizing my realization—had I just time-traveled? The judging glances from onlookers made me aware that I had spoken aloud. Hastily removing the headset, I found myself back on my porch, contemplating the peculiar device.
Examining the buttons closely, I discovered labels for time, location, day, month, and year. Widening my eyes, I experimented with more buttons, setting a random date: 07/06/2024, Argentina. Suddenly, I stood in a massive crowd cheering for none other than my favorite idol, Jin from BTS, who had returned from military service. Overwhelmed, I quickly returned, realizing the potential consequences of such a device falling into the wrong hands.
Determined to prevent any misuse, I resolved to dispose of the headset discreetly. Heading to the dumpster, I tossed it away, unaware that my meddlesome neighbor had been observing the entire sequence of events.
