— Archisman Ghosh (Age: 12)

Once upon a time, in the wealthy region of Goldengrove Hill, a grand mansion proudly stood with such a shiny gold roof that looking at it in broad daylight would make your eyes ache. The home belonged to the Vanderblit family- Madam Vanderblit, Lord Vanderblit, and their most prized daughter, Stella. They were very wealthy and elegant, but they had no heart.

Outside the heavily guarded iron gates, under the cover of the large rose garden wall, was the Mornington family, Rune, Greta and their son Adler. They didn’t have a home except a broken cart and a dirty blanket full of holes. They didn’t let their poverty bring them down though. They had kind hearts, and they always laughed, sang and greeted people who passed warmly.

Everyone in Goldengrove Hill loved the Morningtons, but there was an exception for the Vanderblits.

“Disgusting!” said Madam Vanderblit as little Adler picked up small pebbles near the gates.                                                                                                                                                                    “Filthy guy! Poisoning our air with poverty!” shouted Lord Vanderblit when Rune whistled a tune under the morning sun.

When Stella’s wallet fell down, Greta returned it happily. “Don’t touch my money,” she spat. “You’ll curse it with beggary.”

Soon enough, winter had arrived, as chilling and harsh as ever. The gold roof was blanketed with bright white snow, while the Vanderblits slept snug under their warm blankets inside their heated home.

Just outside, the Morningtons suffered under their ripped blanket. Adler couldn’t sleep in the cold, so he decided to go for a walk. As he walked, he saw an incredibly smooth pebble with a symbol engraved on it. Adler took it back to where his family was sleeping. He placed it in the soil in front of his blanket with his rock collection.

Morning was soon to come, and Adler rubbed his eyes to see a giant stone door that shone brightly before him. In curiosity, Adler approached the door and turned the knob. He got sucked into a glowing room with good memories everywhere. He then spotted a small gold button on a stand in front of him. He pressed it, and a gold elephant appeared from the button. “I am a gold elephant that once had a gold heart. I was reincarnated to gift people that are kind like you,” the elephant said. “Your family’s kindness has made many happy and your family’s happiness regardless of your situation has warmed the hearts of others. In return, I must give you these gifts. A pan that doubles the amount of food cooked in it and a pebble that grows into a palace.”

Adler left the room and planted the pebble in the soil. The Morningtons waited as it slowly grew, and by the next day, a beautiful palace made of pebble was formed. Strangers were amazed to see the beauty of the palace the Morningtons had. The Morningtons welcomed everyone without a doubt. Greta cooked everyone hearty portions of her delicious soups, Rune whistled his amazing tunes and Adler showed off his vast collection of rocks.

There was only one family that grew enraged at the Morningtons’ prosperity. It was the Vanderblits.                                                                                                                                                         “This is so unfair!” Madam Vanderblit shouted furiously. “That place is supposed to be ours!”

The Vanderblits snuck into the pebble palace while the Morningtons slept. Lord Vanderblit tried to steal the pan, but it burned his hand severely. Madam Vanderblit tried to break the walls of the pebble palace, but she cried in pain from kicking the walls. Stella snatched the pebble with the symbol engraved on it, but the pebble exploded in her face, dust spreading everywhere. The Morningtons woke up from the sound of the explosion and heard footsteps receding. They got up from bed and ran to the door, but they couldn’t spot the Vanderblits.

The Morningtons were famous for being the family that shared kindness with everyone, while their palace became the most beautiful residence in Goldengrove Hill. The Vanderblits remained lonely and jealous of the Morningtons for the rest of their lives.