TheMysteriousUncleUh-OhBy

KanikaG

IllustratedbyMishtiShah

EditedbyPellG

Copyright2017byKanikaG

ThisstorywasinspiredbyanemailexchangewithMenakaandOOfromPlusMinus'n'More

2

TheGrumpyOldMan

"Uh-Oh!Herehecomes!"MaheshwhisperedtoRahul."Letsgetoutofhere."

Rahulnodded,andthetwocycledawaytogetherasfastaspossible.TheyranintoPayalandwarnedheraboutUncleUh-Oh.

Nobodyknewhisrealname,butthat'swhatthekidscalledhim.Abespectacled,greyhaired,cleanshavenman,hadmovedintotheneighbourhoodamonthago,buthespoketonoone.Kids,inparticular,annoyedhim.Heshooedthemawayiftheyhappenedtobeanywhereinhisvicinity.

ThekidsweresadwhenuncleMathur,whoalwayshadasmileforthemandoftenslippedthemtoffees,movedtoAmerica,tospendmoretimewithhisgrandchildren,whoweregrowingupthere.ThentheysawUncleUh-Ohmovein.Whentheysawhimtendingtothegarden,leftbehindbyuncleMathurwithsuchalovingexpressiononhisface,theyweresurehewouldbejustasniceasuncleMathur.

Butastheyhoverednearthefence,hopingtobeofferedthelastbatchofgoodguavas,thetreewouldbearthatyear,theywereshockedtohearhimgrowl."Whatareyoualldoinghere?Goawaytoyourhomes.Don'tyoudaretouchmygarden.Shoo!Scram."

Hesoundedsosternandnasty,thatthekidsneverapproachedthegardenagain.But,heevenyelledatthepoorkidscyclingonthestreets.Once,whilehewasonhiswaytothemarket,Nidhiwenttofetchasoccerball,thathadfallenrightinfrontofhim.Thechildrenweresurprisedtoseehimbendtopickuptheball.But,whenhehandedittoNidhi,shelookedfrightened,andhewalkedawayinahuff.

"WhathappenedNidhi?"Rahulwasconcerned.

"Idon'tknow.Hehadsuchastrangelookonhisface.FirstIthoughthewasglaringatme,buthiseye'swerefixedontheball.Thenhelookedatmesoangrily,ashegavemetheball.Themaniscrazy!"

3

Afterthatincident,thekidswereevenmorescaredofhim.Whenoneofthemspottedhim,theywouldexclaimUh-Oh,andrushofftowarntheotherstostayclear.Sincenooneknewhisname,hebecameuncleUh-Oh.

SuddenlySuresh,atallplumpboy,joinedMahesh,RahulandPayal.Hewasflushedandpantinghard.Hiscurlyhairwassweaty.Evidentlyhehadcycledveryfastandwasburstingwithnews."Someonefromfarawayjustdrovein."Heblurtedoutgaspingforair.

"Howdoyouknowthepersonisfromfaraway?"Maheshchallengedhim.MaheshwasleanandaheadshorterthanSuresh,sohehadtolookuptohim.

"BecauseIknowthatnoonenearbydrivesaredMustang.Trustme.I'dknow."Sureshsaidsmugly.

"AredMustang?Really?"Rahul'seyes,werewideassaucers,andlookedwiderstillbecauseofthespectacleshewore."Wow.Ihaveneverseenarealone.OnlyinpicturesandonTV."

JustthentheMustangstoppedrightinfrontofthem.EvenPayal,whocaredlittleaboutcars,couldnothelpbutfeelimpressed.

4

AVisitFromSanta

AjollyfacedmanpoppedhisheadoutofthewindowoftheMustangandcalledouttothekids."Heylittleones.Canoneofyouhelpme?Iamlookingforaparticularhouse."

Sureshbeingtheoldeststeppedforward."Whichhouse?"

"PlotnumberB-33"Themainsaidcheckingasheetofpaper.

Thekidsgasped."Youdon'twanttogothere."Nidhisaidshakingherhead,ashertwolittlebushyponytailsbobbedalong.Shehadjustjoinedthegrouponhercycleamomentago.

"Whynot?"Thejollymanwasintrigued.

"UncleUh-Ohlivesthere."Maheshwhispered.

"UncleUh-Oh?"Themanlaughedaboomingheartylaugh."IsthatwhatyoukidscallgoodoldProfessorNarayan?"

"ProfessorNarayan?"Rahulraisedhisthickeyebrows."Isthathisname?"

"Youdon'tevenknowhisname,andhehasbeenlivinghereforamonth!Howstrange!Justpointmethereplease."

JustasSureshfinishedgivingthedirections,henoticedthelittleboyinthecar."Youarenottakingthatboywithyou,areyou?"

"OfcourseIam.Heismyson.HisnameisAkshay."

"Evenifyoumustgo,leavehimhere.UncleUh-Ohhateschildren."Payalurgedhim.

"Hateschildren!Whatutternonsense.Imustgoandseehim.Thanksforyourhelp."

Akshaylookedterrified,afterwhatthekidssaid,buthisfatherpattedhimreassuringly.

5

ThekidsfollowedtheMustangroundtheconnerandthenacoupleofblocksdowntheroadontheircycles.ThejollymanparkedhisMustangandheandAkshaywalkedtoUh-Oh'sdoorandrangthebell.Thekidsparkedtheirbikesundertheleafymangotreeacrosstheroadandclimbedit,sotheycouldseewhatwashappening,withoutUh-Ohspottingthem.

WhatwouldUh-Ohdotothepoorboy?Thekidswondered.Wouldhestartshouting?Wouldheactuallypickhimupandthrowhimout?Wellatleasttheboyhadabigburlyfathertoprotecthim.

Asthedooropened,thekidswatchedintently.Uh-Ohcameout.Assoonashespottedthekid,hestartedshouting.Butthenthebigmansaidsomething,andUh-Ohinvitedthemin.Thekidsstaredwiththeireyespoppingout.Noonehadmanagedtogainentryintothathouse.

Mrs.Pintohadbakedthemostheavenlysmellingchocolatecake,withthecreamiesticingever,andtakenitovertowelcomeUh-Ohtotheneighbourhood,andevenshewasn'taskedtocomein.Truehehadn'tyelledather,likehedidateveryoneelse,butwhatmagicdidthisjolly,burlymanknowthathewasadmittedinalongwithachild?

"Howdidhemanagethat?"Maheshaskedastonished.

6

"HemustbeSantaClaus!"Nidhiconcluded.

"Don'tbesilly.SantaonlyleavestheNorthPoleonChristmaseve."Payalretorted.

"Butdoesn'thelooklikeSanta?"Nidhipersisted."Plushehasanunusualaccent."

"OkayfineNidhi,we'llcallhimSanta.Youaresuchababy"Sureshrolledhiseyes.

"Imaybetheyoungestandtheshortest,butIamnotababy."NidhiglaredatSuresh.

"Stopfightingyoutwo.Letsfocusonwhatisgoingonthere."RahulpointedtowardsUh-Oh'shouse.

ButnothinginterestingwasvisiblefromthemangotreesinceSantaandhissonwentinside.Sothekidsgotboredandstartedmunchingonsomecrispgreenkairis.ThensuddenlyNidhinoticedthemostastonishingthing.Uh-OhhuggedSantaandhissonastheyexitedhishouse.Thesightsurprisedhersomuch,shealmostfelloffthetree.Shescreamedforhelp,assheprecariouslyheldontooneofthelowerbranches.

Whileherfriendstriedtohelp,Santawalkeduptothetreeandeasilycaughtthelittlegirlandgentlyputherdown."ThankyouSanta."Nidhihuggedhersaviourinrelief.

"Santa!"Thejollymanexclaimed."Areyouhallucinating?

Nidhiblushed."ButyoulooklikeSanta,andyoudidnottellusyourname,didyou?"Onebyonetheotherkidsjumpedoutofthetree.

"No.Iamsorry.IamSantaSingh,soyoureallyweren'tfaroff."Theburlymanchortled.

PayalgiggledandturnedtoAkshay."Didhetreatyouwell?Weweresoafraidhewouldflingyououtofthehouse."

"Oh!Heisnice.Heissad,butnice."Akshaysaidlookingathisshoes.

7

Thechildrenlookedathimindisbelief.ThenRahulasked,"Santauncle,howdoyouknowUncleUh-Oh?"

"HewasaprofessorofMathematicsatIITMadras.Hewouldcomewithhiswifeandkidstovisithisparentsduringthesummervacation.HisparentslivedintheneighbourhoodwhereIgrewup,inasmalltown.Heusedtoconductamathscampforalltheneighbourhoodkidswhowereinterested.ItwasbecauseofhimIfellinlovewithMathematicsandheevenwrotemealetterofrecommendationforStanfordwhereIstudiedmaths."Santahadaglazedlookinhiseyeashereminiscedthepast.

Thensuddenlyrecallinghisaudience,helookedatthekidsandcontinued."OvertheyearsIkeptintouchwithhim.IvisithimeverytimeIcometoIndia.ButIhaven'tcomesinceAkshaywasatoddler.HedidnotevenrecogniseAkshay."Helookedsad."Ishouldvisitmoreoften."Hesaidmostlytohimself.

"Uh-Ohteachchildren!Impossible!Hehateschildren."Payaldeclared.

"Buthereallyisaniceoldman."ThekidsweresurprisedtohearAkshaysay.

"Hespoketoyou?"Sureshwasastounded."Imeanhetalkedtoyounicely,notjustgrowledorshouted?"

"Yes.Heaskedmeaboutmyhobbiesandfriends.Heevengavemesomecookies."Akshayadded.

"SantauncleifUh-Ohreallywassonice,thenwhyishesogrouchyandmeannow?"Nidhiaskedcurioustogettothebottomofthismystery.

"LikeAkshaytoldyou,heissad."Santasaid.

"Butwhy?"Nidhipersisted."Whatcouldchangehimfromakindandhelpfulman,toafrighteninggrouch?"

"Itisnotmyplacetotellyou.Sometimes,peopleareinsomuchpain,thattheycantsparetheenergyorthementalcapacitytotobenice.Theyaredrowningandneedhelp.Ifyoukidshelphim,perhapshewillfindawayoutofhismisery.Whydon'tyougiveitatry?"

8

"Grownupsneedhelp?"Nidhiaskedwideeyed.

"Ofcoursetheydo.Onlytheyarebadataskingforit."Santapattedherhead.

"Sowhatcanwedo?"Payalwantedtoknow.Itupsethertoknowthattheoldmanwassuffering.

"Youaresmartkids.You'llfigureitout.I'llgiveyouafewhintsthough.Helovesstrawberries,mathandLego."

"DidyousayLego?"Rahulaskedsurprised."IloveLego."

"Oh!HehasanamazingLegocollection.Ifyoumadefriendswithhim,Iamsurehewouldshareitwithyou.Onemorething.Ballsmakehimverysad.Don'tlethimseeaball.Itwillmakehimveryunhappy."

Maheshfurrowedhisbrow."Ballsmakehimsad!Thatmakesnosense!"

"Butwait!"Nidhiinterjected."Rememberthetimehepickedupmyball?"

Rahulrecalledtheincidentandnodded.

"Sowhatnext?"Payalaskedtyingupherlongponytailintoabun.

9

AChallengeForTheKids

Sureshtookcharge."Lookslike,wehaveamysteryandatask!WeneedtocheerupUh-Ohandfigureoutwhyheissosad.SantawonttellusbecausehecantbetrayUh-Oh,bytellinguswhatUh-Ohhastoldhiminconfidence.Soweneedtofigureitoutourselves."

"Excellent!IamstayingattheMauryahoteldownthestreetfor3weeks.LetmeknowifthereisanywayIcanhelp."ThenSantaleftwithAkshay.

Thekidsthoughtforafewmomentsabouthowtheywouldapproachtheproblem."Heisusuallylessmeantogirlsthantoboys."Payalpointedout.

"Iknow,Ihaveanidea."Nidhibouncedupanddownindelight."Santasaidhelovesstrawberries.Mymomisplanningtodistributethefirstbatchofstrawberriesfromourgardentomorrow.Icantakehimafew,andarunnertooforhisgarden.Whatdoyouthink?"

"BrilliantNidhi!"RahulpattedheronthebackandNidhiglowed.Shelovedappreciationfromtheolderkids.

ThenextdayNidhipackedasmallwickerbasketfulloffreshstrawberries.

10

ShewasreallynervousbutSureshreassuredher."WewillallbejustoutsideUh-Oh'sgarden.Ifyouneedanyhelpsaythewordjamreallyloudlyandwe'llallstormintohelpyou."

"Okay."NidhibracedherselfandrangUh-Oh'sdoorbell.Therewerebutterfliesflutteringinhertummy.

Uh-Ohopenedthedoor."Whatdoyouwantlittlegirl?"hegrowled.

Nidhiwasterrified.Shewantedtorunaway,butshetriedtobebrave.Wordlessly,sheheldoutthebasketofstrawberries.

"What'sthissupposedtobe?Isthisaprank?"Helookedatthebasketsuspiciously.

"The-the-theyarest-st-strawbe-berries."Nidhistuttered.

Uh-Ohdidnotunderstandawordshesaid,sohegrabbedthebasketfromhertotakealook."Ohthesearestrawberries."Hesaid,confused.Histonesoftened."Aretheseforme?"Heasked.

Nidhihadtofightbackhertears."Yestheyareareforyou.Mymothergrowsstrawberriesinhergardenandgivessometotheneighbourseveryyear."

"Oh!Thankyouverymuchlittlegirl."Uh-ohseemedtobeatalossforwordsandblinked.

EncouragedbyUh-Oh'schangeinattitude,Nidhiploddedon."Ialsogotyouthis."Shesaidholdingupthestrawberryrunner.

"Astrawberryrunner!"Uh-Ohwassurprised.

"Isawyougardeningsometimeago,andthoughtyoumayliketogrowsome."

Uh-Ohblushed."Idolovestrawberries.Thankyouverymuchlittlelady.Iwashopingtoplantstrawberriesthisyear."Thenheaddedtentatively,"Therearenogoodguavasleftanymore,butIcouldofferyouacookie...thatisifyourmotherwon'tmind."

11

NidhismiledthinkinghowlittleUncleMathurcaredabouthowhermotherfeltaboutthetoffeesheoftenslippedher.ShenoddedandUh-Ohbroughtoutthecookiejar.Nidhichoseajamcentredcookie."Thankyouuncle."Shesaidandturnedtoleave,whenUh-Ohcalledout."What'syournamelittlelady?"Heasked.

"Nidhi.IamNidhi."Sheturnedaroundandsaid,andthensheprancedawayelatedwiththesuccessofhermission.

"GreatjobNidhi!"Sureshpattedherhead,whenshereturned.

Theotherkidscongratulatedhertoo."Butnowwhatdowedonext?"Payalasked."Weneedtodosomethingelse,right?Orthiswillbeadeadend."

"YouarequiterightPayal."Maheshagreed."Iwaswonderingthesamething."

"Wellyouknow,Legowasonthelistofthingshelikes,soIhadanidea."Rahulventured.

"GoonRahul."Maheshencouragedhim.

"Howabout,weorganiseaneighbourhoodLegoexhibition?ItwillbefunforusandUh-Ohmaycomeandlookaroundandwecangethimtalking.Whatdoyouthink?"Rahullookedhopefullyattheothers.

"Ohyes.Letsdothat."SureshclappedRahulontheback."Awesomeidea!"

TheLegoexhibitionwasannouncedandadvertisedwithfliersontreesandlampposts.ItwasscheduledforthenextSunday.Theideacaughtonandsomegrownupsdecidedtoputupfoodstalls.ThekidsspentmostoftheweekferventlyworkingontheirLegoprojects.

Theexhibitionwassetupattheneighbourhoodpark.Soonafter9:00a.m.,peoplestartedfillingintothepark.SomehadbroughttheirLegoprojectsalong.Othersweresettingupfoodstalls.Stillotherswerelookingatheprojects.

SureshhadmadearedLegoMustang.NidhihadmadeaLegovegetableandfruitgarden.Maheshhadmadeanaeroplane.RahulhadmadeaLego

12

mountainwithawaterfall.Itwasanelaboratenaturallandscape.PayalhadmadeLegojewellery.TherewasalsoaLegoswimmingpool,train,farm,parkandshopthatvariouspeoplehadbroughttotheexhibition.

Nidhi'smotherhadsetupastallforhomemadestrawberryicecreamthatwasreallypopular.Therewerealsostallsforpanipuri,samosas,jalebisandcupcakes.

TheresidentsoftheneighbourhoodwerehavingarelaxedandenjoyableSundaymorninglookingatinterestingLegocreationsandeatinggoodfood,whenUh-Ohshowedupwithalargecontraptioncoveredincloth.Everyonelookedterrified."Isthatabomb?"Suresh'smotheraskedRahul'sfather.

ButNidhiranuptohim."IsthatyourLegoexhibit?"Sheaskedhimcheerfully.

"Yes.Um.Yesitis."Heturnedpinkandshuffledhisfeet,sinceeveryonehadstoppedwhattheyweredoingtostareathim.

Nidhipretendednottonoticeanyoftheawkwardness.Sheguidedhimtoatable."Youcanputyourexhibitdownhere.Iwanttoseewhatitis."

Uh-Ohfumbledwiththecloth,butfinallyunveiledhisLegomasterpiece.ItwasawholeLegotown,completewithbuildings,roads,cars,trafficlights,bridges,shops,parks,policemen,schools,hospitalsandsomuchmore,allplannedandexecutedtoperfection.

Thechildrenwereinawe.Soweremanygrownups.TheycameandadmiredtheprojectandcongratulatedUh-Oh.Hebeamedandsmiled.

Nidhiintroducedhimtoallherfriends.SheshowedhimtheirLegoprojects.Heappreciatedtheirworkandgavethemterrificideasonhowtogrowtheirprojects.

HisfacewassoanimatedashetalkedaboutLego,helookedtenyearsyounger.Thekidscouldn'tbelievehewasthesamegrumpyoldmantheywereterrifiedof,justafewdaysago.Heinvitedthemtoteathenextday,sotheycouldseesomeofhisotherLegoprojects.

13

SomewhereNidhithoughtshecaughtaglimpseofSantainthecrowd,givingherathumbsupbutbeforeshecouldrespondhehadvanished.JustliketherealSanta,shethoughtandsmiled.

14

UncleUh-Oh'sBigSecret

ThenextdaythekidsgatheredatUh-Oh'shouse.HeshowedthemhismanywonderfulLegocreations.HehadaverycuteLegopizzaandagorgeousLegoLondonbridge.HealsohadLegosubmarines,choppers,planesandtrains.

Buthismostelaborateprojectswereaboutcleanenergysourcesandwaterharvesting.HehadaLegohydroelectricpowerplant,wherehehadawaterfall,similartotheoneRahulhadmadefortheexhibition.Rahulwasimpressedwithhisturbines.Uh-Ohalsohadawindenergyplant,withaboutadozenwindmillsarrangedinagrid.Oneprojectwasaboutwaterharvestingandirrigationoffarmsthroughcanalsandsprinklers.

Uh-Ohexplainedeachprojectsoenthusiastically,thatthekidsforgottheywerewithagrownup.Thekidsspentoveranhourexamininghisvariousprojects.Uh-Ohevenexplainedhowactualhydroelectricpowerplantswork.

ThensuddenlyUh-Ohrememberedthathehadpreparedrefreshmentsforthekids.Hetookoutatrayfullofassortedcookies,andanotherfulloffreshcutfruit.Healsobroughtoutsomedryfruitsandacupofmilkforeachkid.

Asthekidsmunchedonthedelicioussnacks,Sureshasked."Uncle,haveyoualwaysbeeninterestedinLego?"

"No,notalways.ActuallyIhavebeenmakingLegomodelsonlyforthelast6years."

"Oh,only6years!WhatgotyouinterestedinLego?"

"Mygrandson.HestartedplayingwithLegoattheageoftwo.Iwouldplaywithhim.Hewasunusuallygoodatit.SoIencouragedhimandwedidalotofprojectstogether."

"WowhemustbeawhizatLego.Whereishe?"Rahulaskedsippinghiscupofmilk.

15

Suddenly,Uh-Ohlookedmorelikehisgrumpyoldself.Alltheanimationandjoylefthim.Hebecameveryquiet.

Thekidslookedscared.HadRahulsaidsomethingbad?Whathappened?WasUh-Ohgoingtostartshoutingagain.ButamomentlaterUh-Ohspoke.Andhedidnotseemmad.Buthesoundedsosad.

"Mygrandsonisnowhere."

"Whatdoyoumeannowhere?"Maheshblurtedoutandthenwonderedifhehadgonetoofar.

"Imeanheisdead,anditismyfault."Uh-Ohsaid,asateartrickleddownhischeek.

"Yourfault!Whatdoyoumean?Itcan'tbe.Iwontbelieveit."Nidhiwashorrified.

"Butitis.Hewasvisitingmefortheholidaysasusual.WedidsomanyLegoprojectstogether.Thelastonewasthathydroelectricpowerproject.ButIwasconcerned,hewasn'tgettingenoughfreshairorexercise.SoItookhimtothesportsshop.Hewasreluctant,buthepickedoutasoccerball.Wewereplayingsoccerinmybackyard.Hekickedtheballsohard,itwentoverthefence,ontotheroad."ThenUh-Ohstartedsobbinguncontrollably.

16

Payalwentandputherarmaroundhim.Shefeltsosad.Howcouldshehaveeverbeenscaredofthismanshewondered."Youdon'thavetogoon.It'sokay."Shesaidpattinghimgently."Wouldyoulikesomemoretea?"Shegothimsometeafromthesameflaskhehadpouredhimselfacupearlier.

"Thankyou."HesaidlookingupatPayalanddrankafewsipsoftea.Thewarmliquidseemedtosteadyhim.

"Youseehewentchasingaftertheball."

"Reallyuncle.Youdon'thavetogoonifitmakesyousosad."Maheshsaiduncomfortablewiththesituation.

"Pleaseletme.Ineedtoknowwhatyouthinkofmewhenyouhaveheardthefullstory.Itwasmyfault.Ishouldneverhaveforcedhimtoplay.Hesuddenlyranoutofthebackyardtryingtogettotheballwhichwasontheyardacrosstheroad.Hedidnotevenseethecarthatranhimover.Hewasdeadinaninstant.Itwassoquick,Icouldn'tevenholdhishand,whileithappened.Hewasonly8yearsold.Suchalovablelittleboy.IfonlyInevermadehimplaysoccer.Ifonly..."Uh-Ohwascryingnowbutnoonestoppedhim.

NidhiandSureshsqueezedhishands,butnoonespoke.Theywaitedforhimtocryitout.

FinallyNidhideclared"Ihaveheardthefullstorynow,andIdon'tthinkitwasyourfault."

Theotherkidsnoddedinagreement.

Uh-Ohlookedupatthemhopefully."Youreallythinkso?Youthinkmygrandsonwouldhavesaidthesame?"

"Ido."Sureshsaid."Allourparentsbadgerustoplayoutsideandwhat'smore,weloveit.Yourgrandsonseemedtohavebeenthrilledtobeplayingoutside.Wasitanunusualexperienceforhim?"

"Hewasshyandrarelyplayedwithotherkids.HewastooinvolvedinLegoandafewotherindoorgames,andhadlittletimeforoutdoor

17

activities."

"Soitseemslikehewashavingagreattime.HewashappyplayingLegowithyouandhewasthrilledyouintroducedhimtofootball.Therestwasjustbadluck.Youcan'tblameyourselfforthat.Hewouldn'tliketofindoutthathewasthereasonyouweresosadandgrumpyallthetime.Hewouldwantyoutobehappy."Payalreallyknewhowtocomfortpeople.

Uh-Ohsmiledthroughhistears."Thankyouforlistening.IamsorryIwassorudetoyouall.Butseeingkidsalwaysremindedmeofmygrandsonandmademeterriblyupset.Ithoughtifyouhatedme,youwouldstayawayandIwouldnotberemindedofmygrandsonsomuch.Imovedoutofmyoldhouse,becausethememoriesweredrivingmecrazy.Ithoughtmovingawaywouldhelp,butIjustcarriedthememoriesinmyheadandeverylittletriggermademesadagain.Nidhi,mydear,Ioweyouaspecialapology.WhenIsawthatsoccerball,theworstmemoriescamebacktome.Iamsorry.Ididnotmeantofrightenyou."

Nidhismiled."Don'tworryuncleUh-Oh.NowthatIunderstand,Iforgiveyou.Ipromiseallisforgotten."

"Uh-Oh,what'sthat?"Uh-Ohlookedpuzzled.

Nidhigaspedandclappedheropenmouth.ThekidswentontoexplainhowtheycametocallhimUh-Oh.Theylookedworriedastheyexplained,buttheyneedn'thave.Uh-Ohburstoutlaughingandinsistedtheycontinuetocallhimthatandrefusedtotellthemhisrealname.

Ashewaslaughing,thedoorbellrang.SureshopenedthedoorandtherewasSantaandAkshay.Santawinkedatthekidsandtheysmiledback.ThenSantaandAkshayhadsometeaandsnackswiththemandSantaconvincedUh-OhtostartaLegoclubforthekidsandteachthemthemanytrickshehadfiguredout.Thekidswerethrilledandshoutedhurrayinunison.

18

Afewwordsfromtheillustrator,MishtiShah:

Iam8yearsold.Ilovedrawingandpaintingthemost.Ialsoenjoyswimmingalot.ThisisthefirsttimeIdrewillustrationsforabook.Ithankallwhomadethispossible.

19