The Cold Sandwich

Ravi was always running late.

Late to school. Late to meals. Late to life.

Every morning, his mother would call, 

“Ravi, hurry or you’ll miss the bus!” And every time, he’d pull the blanket tighter and whisper, “Just five more minutes…”

One day, he woke up to silence.

The bus had gone. His mom had left. His lunchbox sat untouched.

He walked to school alone shoelaces dragging, hair messy, stomach empty. By the time he arrived, lunch break was nearly over. Everyone was laughing, chewing, done.

Ravi sat alone at his desk.

Then, a small hand placed half a sandwich beside him.

It was Priya the quiet girl who always came early, always sat in the front.

“You look hungry,” she said softly.

Ravi stared. “For me?”

She nodded. “ A Cold sandwich is better than no sandwich my friend.”

That simple line hit harder than any scolding.

The next morning, Ravi did something unthinkable he woke up before his alarm.

He brushed, dressed neatly, and tied his shoes. 

His mom stared like she’d seen a ghost. “Who are you?” 😁😂

Ravi just smiled. “Cold sandwich.”

Days turned into weeks. Ravi became the early bird. The helper. The learner.

One afternoon, the teacher stood before the class. “Ravi will lead today’s project.”

Cheers filled the room. Priya smiled.

After school, Ravi handed her a small warm packet.

She looked surprised. “What’s this?”

He grinned. “A warm sandwich for the girl who changed my mornings.”

Moral of the Story:

One kind gesture can change a person’s path. Discipline starts with a spark and sometimes, that spark is a cold sandwich.