Lisa’s Dreamhouse

By Aarna Shah

Lisa was a little girl of eight. She lived in a small house with her family. She could write very well and had written many stories. She always used to write stories in her free time. She always wanted to live in a big mansion, but it wasn’t in her parents’ budget.

“Mummy, why don't we live in a big house with comfortable beds?”, asked Lisa. “Dear, don't worry we will live in a nice comfortable house, just you wait.”, replied her mother. Her mother knew that nothing as such will happen, but she didn’t want to upset Lisa. “Mummy, you’ve been saying this from years. I’ve been waiting and waiting but we've never lived in a nice house.”, said Lisa disappointed. “Lisa don't argue and to go your bedroom at once.”, plumped in Lisa's father. “You always scold me, but no one ever thinks of me. No one ever thinks that I have always dreamed of living in my own dreamhouse.”, said Lisa angrily. “Lisa, you are our darling, we will always want that you are happy, but you should also cooperate with us. What you want always won't happen, right dear?”, said her father. “I’m sorry Daddy, but what should I do? I badly want to live in a house like all my friends.”, said Lisa. “We can totally understand, Lisa, just make sure that we soon will live in a house like the one you want.”, said Lisa's mother. “I hope what you are saying will come true one day.”, said Lisa. “Ok now, we will talk about this later, go to your bedroom now.”, said Lisa's father. “Ok daddy.”, said Lisa.

The next day when Lisa woke up, she was in a very good mood. She had invited one of her rich friends for breakfast. She was about to arrive in five minutes. “Mummy, Daddy it's time for Annabelle to come now, why don't you call and ask her is she is coming or not.”, said Lisa worried. “Just look at you, bursting with excitement.”, laughed her mother. Finally, the bell rung and Lisa ran to open the door. A very luxurious girl was standing at the door. “Anabelle please do come in.”, requested Lisa. “Oh, Lisa how good to see you. I must say that we are meeting after a long time.”, said Anabelle. “Yes, you're right. By the way where is your mother?”, asked Lisa. “Oh, my mother just came to drop me. She won't come here as she is not just feeling well.”, Anabelle replied. “Oh no.” said Lisa quietly. Lisa knew that if Anabelle’s mother is not with Anabelle, she behaves badly and can be rude at times. “Er, why don't you sit and have breakfast.”, said Lisa's father. “Of course, uncle”, replied Anabelle. So Lisa and Anabelle sat down at the dining table to have breakfast. Even her father and mother joined them. Chatting, breakfast was over. “I’ll invite to my luxurious mansion one day. I must say your house is very small and uncomfortable.”, said Anabelle rudely. Tears came to Lisa's eyes. Half crying, she said, “Of course, Anabelle.” “Ok bye, Lisa.”, waved Anabelle. “Bye.” waved back Lisa. Just as Anabelle walked out, Lisa angrily said, “See, now even Anabelle said that our house is too uncomfortable to live in.” “Lisa don't listen to anyone who is rude to you.”, said Lisa's mother. “Yes Lisa, learn to ignore these people.”, supported Lisa's father. So, Lisa calmed down and went to her room to write stories. She then had all her meals and went to sleep.

She was sleeping very soundly. She was sleeping on a very comfortable bed and was living in a big mansion. Her big mansion had a very beautiful garden too. “Lisa time to wake up.”, called out her mother. Lisa got up and her dream broke. “Ah, it was just a dream. It was too good to be true after all.”, Lisa said sadly. “Lisa are you awake yet?”, asked her mother coming into the room. “Yes mother.”, replied Lisa. "Why are you looking so sad, is everything okay?”, asked Lisa's mother. “I just had a dream that we were living in a big mansion with a garden.”, said Lisa. “You should be happy about that.”, said Lisa's mother. “I was wondering when it will actually come true.”, replied Lisa. “Don't be sad now. I've made your favourite pancakes for breakfast.”, said Lisa's mother. “Yippy! Pancakes for breakfast. After so long too.”, exclaimed Lisa. They had breakfast and Lisa’s father set off for office. Lisa did her homework, wrote some stories and went to play with her friends.

In the evening, her father came back looking very happy. “What happened why are you looking so happy dear?”, asked Lisa's mother. “We had a presentation today and the new boss liked it a lot. We are going to have a to have a meeting with the new boss tomorrow and he has called Lisa and you too.”, said Lisa's father. “That's very good news”, said Lisa's mother. “Lisa, Lisa come here, Daddy's back.”, called her mother out. Lisa came running out of her room.

“What happened, Mummy?” asked Lisa. “The new boss is very happy with Daddy’s work and he has called us for a meeting.”, replied Lisa's mother. “That's amazing! Does that really mean that we are going to meet Daddy's boss?” asked Lisa. “Yes, that does.”, said her mother. “I wonder how Daddy's boss will be like.”, said Lisa. “Ah well, old John is quite jolly and friendly.”, said her father. “That good then. I'm sure my Lisa can’t stand rude and stern people. Am I right Lisa?”, asked her mother. “Of course, Mummy.”, replied Lisa. “Okay now, let's eat dinner. I am starving.”, said her father. So, they ate dinner and went to sleep. The next day when everyone woke up they got ready for the meeting. They sat in a taxi ready to meet John, Lisa's father's boss. They reached her father's office building. It was very tall just like a skyscraper. “Wow! Your office building is huge, Daddy.”, exclaimed Lisa. "Well, it is. Come on now. Sir's office is on the fourth floor.”, said her father. “Does your office have an Air Conditioner, I won't be able to stay there if it doesn't, it's too hot.”, said Lisa’s mother. “Of course, it does, how can a person work in the heat. Now, now don't waste any more time and come into the lift.”, said Lisa's father.

So, they went into the lift and Lisa pressed the fourth-floor button. They reached the fourth floor and opened the door labelled BOSS’S OFFICE. “May we come in, sir”, asked Lisa's father. “Ah, Martin so you're here. Come in, I was waiting for you.”, said his boss, John. So, they went in, Lisa very excited. “Good morning, sir.”, said Lisa's father, Martin. “Good morning, Martin. Is this dear little girl your daughter?” asked John. "Yes sir.”, replied Martin. “What is your name, my dear?”, asked John. "Lisa.”, replied Lisa shyly. “Oh, I see. I must say that you are a very sweet girl.”, complimented John. “Thank you, sir.”, said Lisa smiling. “Okay, so let's get to the point. Martin will get a promotion soon if he continues working like this. I must say he is very hardworking and puts his best in anything he does.”, said John. “Thank you very much, sir.”, said Martin, very happy. “As he is doing so well I must reward him with something. Is there anything you or your family wants?”, asked John. Both Lisa's mother and father said no. Lisa was still wondering whether she should ask for a mansion as she wanted. “Lisa still seems to be thinking about something. If you want something, you can tell me freely.”, said John.

“Well sir, there is something. Actually, we've always lived in a very small and uncomfortable house. I wish we could live in a big and comfortable mansion. I know it's a very big thing to ask for and you can't fulfil it. So, I just shared it with you.”, spitted out Lisa. "Well, it seems as I can arrange for it! I had an old mansion which I was wanting to sell as I to was shifting another place. It has two bedrooms rooms, two bathrooms, a big living room, attic, dining room, drawing room, kitchen and a beautiful garden. It is in very good condition too.”, said John.

“Er, sir I don't think it will be in our budget.”, said Martin. “I can show you all the papers of the mansion. You can accordingly decide whether you want it or not.”, said John. “Martin saw all the papers and as he had predicted it was not in their budget. Lisa was very sad. “This offer will always be open for you. Just come to me when you think it is in your budget.”, said John. “Sure, sir.”, said Lisa’s father.

They went back to their house. “Not any mansion in the world is in our budget. That mansion was just perfect for us.”, said Lisa bitterly. “But this time, we will buy it on any cost. I have an idea. I will start writing more and more stories in my free time and then publish all of them. I’ll earn a lot of money through that.”, said Lisa. “That will not be enough. I will start a business too in which I will make food and send it to people. I will make a lot of money through that too.”, said Lisa’s mother. “Even I will work extra hard in office so that I get my promotion soon.”, said Martin. “Great then, I’m sure this time we’ll be able to buy the mansion.”, said Lisa happily.

So, Lisa starting writing stories the whole day. Lisa’s mother got very busy as she got a lot of orders for food. While Lisa’s father worked overtime to please his boss.

After a year, things started happening very fast. People loved Lisa’s books and they got sold very fast. All Lisa’s mother’s friends, relatives and neighbours started ordering food from her. Martin’s boss was very pleased with him and he got a promotion.

Soon, they got enough money to buy the mansion. Next week Lisa was turning ten. So, they bought the mansion and next week on her birthday they shifted to the mansion and their old house was sold to one of Martin's friends. The mansion was just as Lisa had wanted. It was beautiful with a garden with beautiful flowers. That was the best day of Lisa's life.

By Aarna Shah