Rajam, Mani, Somu, Sankar, and Swaminathan lounged on the sun-warmed ground, peering up at the bounty above them. "I’m starving," Mani complained, his eyes fixed on the mangoes. "Me too," agreed Somu, his stomach growling in response.
Rajam adjusted his glasses with a mischievous grin. "We don’t need to climb the tree. We just need a plan," he declared. Sankar produced his trusty slingshot, while Swaminathan retrieved a basket. "Pea will keep watch," Sankar added, nodding towards the little dog who wagged his tail enthusiastically.
Sankar took aim with his slingshot, concentrating intently. With a swift release, the pebble struck true, sending the first mango tumbling into Swaminathan's waiting basket. "Yes!" Swaminathan whispered triumphantly.
The Watchman emerged from the temple grounds, his eyes scanning the area. "Who’s there?" he called out, his footsteps drawing closer. "Run!" shouted Mani, grabbing the basket of mangoes as the boys sprinted away, the little dog Pea following close behind.
The boys finally collapsed behind a haystack, panting and grinning. "That was so close," Somu gasped, his laughter infectious. Rajam held up the basket, its contents a testament to their daring adventure.
"But worth it," Rajam said, sharing a mango with his friends. The sweet taste of victory lingered on their tongues, each bite a reminder of their teamwork and bravery. Together, they savored the fruits of their summer escapade, the laughter echoing through the village as the sun set on another day of friendship and adventure.
