One day, her school announced a national art competition. The winner would get a scholarship to study art in Mumbai.
Mumbai. The city of dreams.
Meera's heart beat fast. This was her chance.
But there was a problem. The competition required a large canvas and professional paints. Meera had neither.
That night, she sat quietly on the rooftop. The sky was dark blue, filled with stars.
"I wish I could paint you properly," she said to the sky.
The next morning, something unexpected happened.
Her neighbor, an old man named Mr. D'Souza, knocked on her door. He had once been an art teacher, but no one in the colony knew much about his past.
"I've seen you paint," he said gently.
"You paint like someone who has fire inside."
He handed her a wrapped package.
Inside it was a large, clean canvas and a set of beautiful paints.
Meera's eyes filled with tears.
"Why are you helping me?" she asked.
Mr. D'Souza smiled.
"Because talent should never stay trapped on a rooftop."