कुंदाचे साहस Kunda's Courage (Kunda's Adventure)

पावसाळ्याचे दिवस असतात, सगळीकडे हिरवळ असते. गावातल्या सोना नदीला भरपूर पाणी आलेले असते. रविवारची सुट्टी असल्याने कुंदा व तिच्या मैत्रिणी नदीकाठी खेळायला जातात.

The story opens in a pleasant monsoon setting. The trees and fields have turned lush green, and the village's Sona river is running full and swift because of the rain. It is a Sunday, so Kunda's school is closed, and she and her friends go to play by the riverbank. Kunda had learned to swim at the young age of eight and has since become a skilled swimmer. The friends are laughing and playing under a neem tree while farmers work in the distant fields.

खेळता खेळता लहान रझिया व नीला नकळत नदीकडे जातात. अचानक नीलाचा रडण्याचा व ओरडण्याचा आवाज येतो - रझिया पाण्यात पडली आहे. हा आवाज ऐकताच कुंदा धावतच नदीकिनारी पोहोचते.

While the other girls are absorbed in play, no one notices when little Rajiya and Nila wander toward the river. Suddenly Nila's loud crying and shouting is heard - 'Run! Run! Come quickly, Rajiya has fallen into the water! Someone save her!' The moment this cry reaches her ears, Kunda runs straight to the riverbank without a second thought. Hearing the commotion, nearby villagers too start running toward the river, and the girls' cries grow louder. When Kunda reaches the bank, she sees Rajiya thrashing in the water, being swept further and further along by the current.

कुंदा क्षणाचाही विलंब न करता नदीत उडी घेते आणि रझियाच्या दिशेने वेगाने पोहू लागते. लोक घाबरून ओरडतात की पाण्याचा वेग वाढतोय, माघारी फीर, पण कुंदाला फक्त रझियाच दिसत असते.

After standing on the bank for just a moment to take in the situation, Kunda wastes no time diving into the river and swims swiftly toward Rajiya. By now the villagers have gathered and are shouting in fear, 'Oh, Rajiya is drowning - how will tiny Kunda save her?' and 'Kunda, the current is getting stronger, turn back!' But none of these words reach Kunda's ears - her mind holds only one thought, to save Rajiya no matter what. This part shows Kunda's firm resolve and fearlessness.

कुंदा रझियाजवळ पोहोचते. रझिया घाबरलेली असते, तिच्या नाकातोंडात पाणी गेलेले असते. कुंदा तिला धीर देते - 'घाबरू नको, मी आले आहे, माझ्या दंडाला घट्ट धर' - आणि तिला काठाकडे आणते.

Swimming swiftly, Kunda finally reaches Rajiya, who by now is terrified, with water having gone into her nose and mouth. Even in this frightening moment, Kunda stays calm and reassures her, 'Rajiya, don't be afraid, I'm here now. Just hold tight to my arm.' Once Rajiya does so, Kunda begins slowly bringing her toward the bank. By then the people on the bank have lowered a long rope into the water. Kunda grabs hold of it, and together everyone pulls both girls out safely.

ही बातमी ऐकून रझियाची आई धावत येते. दोघी सुखरूप दिसताच ती त्यांना घट्ट मिठी मारते, तिच्या डोळ्यांतून आनंदाश्रू वाहतात. ती कुंदाचे मनापासून कौतुक करते.

News that Rajiya has been saved soon reaches her home, and her mother comes running to the riverbank. Seeing her daughter and Kunda both safe, she embraces them both tightly, tears of joy streaming from her eyes. She tells Kunda, 'Kunda, because of you my Rajiya's life was saved today. What a brave girl you are!' Rajiya too hugs Kunda gratefully. By then Kunda's own parents have also arrived, and with pride and admiration they draw their daughter close.

आज साऱ्या गावात कुंदाच्या साहसाचीच चर्चा असते. सर्वांच्या कौतुकाच्या वर्षावाने कुंदा आनंदून जाते.

The story ends by telling us that after this incident, Kunda's bravery becomes the talk of the entire village. Everyone praises her courage and quick thinking. Showered with everyone's praise, Kunda feels deeply happy. The story shows that courage and self-confidence shown at the right moment can save a life.