The Canvas of Udaipur

🌅 A Story of Colors, Conflict, and Compassion

In the enchanting city of Udaipur, where the lakes shimmered under the golden sun and ancient palaces stood as silent witnesses to time, two young girls—Riya and Diya—shared a classroom at the renowned Don Bosco School in Dhajanagar, Gakulpur.

Riya was quiet, her nose often buried in books, and her dreams painted in soft watercolors. She had inherited her love for painting from her grandmother, who used to tell her, “Every brushstroke is a piece of your soul.”
Diya, in contrast, was a whirlwind—outspoken, energetic, and the heartbeat of every school event. Her favorite phrase was, “Life is a stage—own it!”

Despite their differences, Riya and Diya shared a deep bond, especially over their shared love for art. They often spent afternoons sketching together under the banyan tree behind the school’s well-stocked library, their laughter echoing through the quiet courtyard.


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🎨 The Announcement

One bright morning, their art teacher walked into the classroom with an excited gleam in her eyes.
“The Lakeview Art Fest is back!” she declared. “And this year, the winning painting will be displayed in the City Palace gallery!”

A murmur of excitement swept through the classroom. For Riya and Diya, this was more than a competition—it was a dream. They grinned at each other, eyes wide with possibility.


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🌊 The Drift

But as the weeks passed and preparations began, Diya heard quiet whispers that Riya was the favorite to win.
“She has such a unique perspective,” one student said. “Her brushwork looks like real reflections on water.”

Diya smiled on the outside—but inside, a quiet storm brewed. She started doubting her own style, her bright, bold colors now felt loud instead of lively.
Slowly, the joy of painting slipped from her fingers, replaced by a quiet jealousy.


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🖌️ The Mistake

One evening, while Riya was at her weekly sitar lesson—part of the many enriching options Don Bosco offered students till Class VIII—Diya wandered into the art room. The golden hour light poured through the windows, casting long shadows on the tiled floor.

There, on the easel, stood Riya’s nearly-finished canvas—a breathtaking scene of Lake Pichola at twilight, with delicate strokes of purple and pink reflecting off the water.

Diya stared at it. Something inside her twisted. Just one stroke, she thought. Just enough to dull it a little.

With trembling hands, she picked up a brush and added a few careless streaks across the water. Then she dropped the brush and rushed out, her heart pounding.


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🌺 The Transformation

The next morning, Riya entered the room. She stood in front of her altered painting, silent. Diya, watching from the hallway, braced for confrontation.

But instead, Riya tilted her head and whispered, “Strange... they look like lotus petals.”

That evening, she stayed back in the school library, sketchbook in hand, experimenting with new shapes and shades. She worked quietly, transforming the wild strokes into a blooming cluster of lotuses—each one glowing like hope against the dusky lake.


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🏆 The Stage

On the day of the Lakeview Art Fest, the smart classroom was decorated with student artwork, streamers, and the buzz of anticipation. Judges in crisp blazers walked slowly past each canvas.

When they reached Riya’s painting, they stopped. The lake glowed under moonlight, scattered with pink lotuses, their petals dancing with subtle shadows. It was more than beautiful—it was alive.

When Riya’s name was announced as the winner, the room erupted in applause. But as she walked onto the stage, she turned to the audience and said:

 “This painting is not just mine. Sometimes, unexpected things—mistakes, even—make our art and our lives more beautiful. Diya’s touch made me see Udaipur in a new way.”

A stunned silence followed, and then Diya, eyes full of tears, joined Riya on stage. She whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

Riya smiled. “Forgiveness is also an art. And you helped me complete this one.”


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🎨 The Lesson

From that day on, their friendship grew deeper. They didn’t just share paints or pencils—but trust, growth, and grace. They created more art together, sometimes even painting over each other’s work—just to see what might bloom from chaos.

They had painted the canvas of their school life at Don Bosco not just with colors, but with courage, compassion, and the brilliance of true companionship.


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🌈 Moral:

In life, as in art, greatness doesn't come from overshadowing others. It comes from rising above, turning even mistakes into masterpieces, and helping others shine.