The Mysterious Knock

Rishika loved bedtime stories, but tonight was different. As the clock ticked past bedtime, she heard a soft knock, knock on her window. Her heart thudded loudly as she whispered, " - Who's there?" But there was no answer. Determined to find out, she tiptoed to the window and peeked outside. There was nothing but the moonlit garden.

Rishika tried to sleep, but another knock interrupted her. This time, it came from the door. " - Who's there?" she asked bravely, but silence answered her. She wanted to open the door, but her hands trembled. She turned back to bed, unsure of what to do next.

After calming herself down, Rishika decided to investigate. But as she took a step, the floor creaked loudly beneath her feet. She froze, thinking about ghosts and monsters. " - Don't be scared," she whispered to herself, trying to be brave. But her feet refused to move further.

Rishika's courage wavered, and she thought about giving up. " - Maybe it’s just the wind," she told herself, pulling the blanket over her head. But her curiosity kept her awake. She couldn't shake the feeling that something important was happening. She wanted to know the truth.

Just as she was about to drift off, she heard a gentle voice. " - Don't be afraid, Rishika," it said. It was her favorite storybook character, Mr. Owl, come to life. " - You can solve this mystery!" he encouraged. With renewed courage, she decided to face the knocks head-on.

Filled with determination, Rishika opened the door and saw a small box on the floor. Inside, she found a note saying, " - Brave Rishika, you've solved the mystery!" Rishika realized the knocks were part of a secret game her family had planned to test her courage. Laughing with relief, she felt proud and went back to sleep.