Gaurav was a boy with a heart full of dreams and a deep love for cricket. Growing up in a middle-class family, he didn’t have the luxury of owning expensive sports equipment like the other kids in his neighborhood. He watched them play with their shiny bats and branded balls, but whenever he asked to join, they would make excuses. "You can’t play with us, Gaurav," one of the boys, Rohan, sneered one day. "Our bat and ball are expensive. What if you damage them?" The words stung, but Gaurav swallowed his disappointment and walked away. He stopped asking after that. Instead of going to the playground, he would sit near his window, watching the game from afar. His heart ached to hold a bat, to swing at a fastball, to feel the joy of hitting a six. But the rejection had left him disheartened. His parents, Ramesh and Meera, noticed the change in him. They knew how much he loved cricket, how his eyes used to shine whenever he talked about the game. But lately, that sparkle had disappeared. Seeing their son sad was unbearable. “We should do something,” Meera said one evening. “Yes,” Ramesh agreed. “His birthday is coming up. Let’s surprise him with his own bat and ball.” And so, the plan was set. On Gaurav’s birthday, he woke up to find a beautifully wrapped box waiting for him. His parents stood nearby, smiling. “Happy Birthday, Gaurav!” they said together. Curious and excited, Gaurav tore the wrapping paper apart. His eyes widened when he saw a brand-new bat and a shiny red ball. “For me?” he whispered, barely believing it. “Yes, my son,” his father said, ruffling his hair. “Now you can play whenever you want.” Overwhelmed with joy, Gaurav hugged his parents tightly. He couldn’t wait to try them out. The next morning, he rushed outside, bat and ball in hand, eager to finally play. As he took his first shot, something strange happened. The moment the bat connected with the ball, it soared high into the air, landing beyond the boundary—an effortless six. Stunned, he picked up the ball and tried bowling. The ball flew straight towards the wicket, knocking off the bails cleanly. Gaurav’s jaw dropped. Every shot he played was a perfect six. Every ball he bowled hit the wickets. He couldn't believe it. That night, while lying in bed, he heard whispers. Startled, he sat up. The voices were coming from his cricket set! His bat and ball were talking to each other! “This boy is special,” the bat said. “Yes,” the ball agreed. “He deserves our magic.” Gaurav's eyes widened. He had received a magical cricket set! His heart raced with excitement. He decided to keep it a secret and use his new gift wisely. The next day, he challenged the neighborhood boys to a match. “Are you sure you want to play, Gaurav?” Rohan smirked. “Don’t waste our time.” Gaurav simply smiled. “Let’s play.” With his magical bat and ball, he stunned everyone. His shots were unstoppable, his bowling unbeatable. Soon, everyone wanted him on their team. Word of his extraordinary talent spread like wildfire. He started playing in school tournaments, winning every game. His confidence soared, and he began dreaming of becoming a professional cricketer. As months passed, Gaurav’s skills caught the attention of local coaches. He was invited to join a cricket academy, where he continued to shine. But deep down, he wondered—was it really him, or was it just the magic of the bat and ball?
One day, before an important match, he made a decision. He left the magical set at home and took an ordinary bat and ball. He needed to know the truth. The match was intense. His hands trembled as he took his first shot, but to his surprise, it was a perfect six. His bowling remained precise, and his team won. Gaurav realized that the magic had never been in the bat and ball—it had always been in him. The magical set had only given him confidence. From that day on, he played with his own skill, eventually making his way to state-level tournaments and, later, the national team. He became a cricket sensation, inspiring kids from middle-class backgrounds to dream big. Years later, Gaurav still kept his magical bat and ball, a reminder of the moment when he discovered the true magic within himself—the magic of hard work, perseverance, and belief.
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