Written by Urvi Shah

In a field, on a midsummer’s day is born Keertana, a being of light. It is said she will awaken the spirits of the young and the old and create a world of joy and greater heights. But, the news of her birth also reaches the witches who live hidden, deep in the woods cavorting with powers, old and dark. They emerge out of their caves and when no one is looking pull her into their lair. She is to grow up with them, within the dark grey walls, soon forgetting who she is and where she comes from. However, will the angels abandon this child of Grace?

One day, a witch leaving the lair leaves the door slightly ajar and Keertana manages to escape. Years of living with the witches has hardened her, filled her mind with fears that are not her own. Yet, something in her awakens as light of the sun touches her and the birds’ song reaches her ears. She continues to walk farther away from the caves and the witches, despite the voice in her head that keeps whispering, “Come back to the caves. Only here will you be safe.”

As Keertana journeys on, the Earth, the Waters and the Flowers help her heal the harshness and the pain of the past till she truly remembers who she is – a Being of Light.

HOW TO USE THIS STORY?
Teachers, parents and adults may read aloud this story to children. Alternatively, it may be given to the children to read themselves depending on their abilities.

Please feel free to use the story creatively along with art, music, puppets etc., as you are inspired, albeit, without changing or distorting the purity of intent.

HOW THIS STORY CAME TO BE?
I wrote this story in the February 2023 as I deeply realised how there are so many forces in the world, seen and unseen that chain us and fill us with fears, so that we forget who we truly are. But, like Keertana, as we slowly open to the purity and beauty of the natural world, these forces lose power and the light of us gets a chance to shine through and come into this world. The story in a very subtle way shows the collapse of the old powers and ways, as the new world of love and light emerges.

I named the protagonist of this story after Keertana, a sweet and innocent child I taught because she was the first one to hear the story even before I had typed it out. She was very patient with me and did hear the story a couple of times, as I refined and completed it.

FOR WHOM?
The story is for children (age 9+) and adults.