Akbar's Dream

Chapter 1

     Akbar had a dream.His dream was to make the most beautiful silk cloth in the whole of India.
     It was summer holidays.Every day, Akbar sat with his grandfather at the loom.They wove long lengths of silk with the most wonderful patterns.'Look at the pattern I have just made,'said Akbar.
     Grandfather looked at the piece of silk.
     'It is very good!' he said.
'Thank you, Grandfather,' said Akbar.'One day soon, I will make the most beautiful silk cloth in the whole in India.'
     Grandfather smiled and shook his head.'That is inpossible,' he said.
'Why?' asked Akbar.
'Because you are only a young boy.You are only eight years old.'
     'That doesn't matter!'said Akbar.Akbar was annoyed.It did not matter how old he was.He knew he could make the most beautiful silk cloth in India.It was his dream.
     Grandfather thought for a moment.
     'We must go to Agra to see the Taj Mahal,' he said.'It is the most beautiful building in India.Perhaps you will some patterns there that will help you to make the most beautiful silk cloth in India.'
     Akbar was pleased. Grandfather often told him about the Taj Mahal. The great emperor, Shah Jahan,had ordered twenty thousand craftsmen to build the Taj Mahal.Its marble walls were covered with jewels.
     'Can we really go to see the Taj Mahal?'said Akbar.
     Every year, Grandfather talked about going to see the Taj Mahal.
Every year, he was either too busy to go, or he did not have enough money for the train fare.
     'Yes,' said Grandfather.'I have saved nearly enough rupees for the train fare. If we sell the silk cloth that you have made, we will have enough money .'
     Grandfather and Akbar folded up the silk and took it through the streets to the market. Soon they reached Omar's stall. Omar was Akbar's uncle. His stall was piled high with bundles of silk cloth.
    'Hello, Omar,'said Grandfather.
'Hello,' said Omar.'What have you got for me today?'
     'Its a beautiful piece of silk cloth that Akbar has made,'
said Grandfather.
     Omar help up the silk cloth and look at it. He winked at Akbar.
     'It is a beautiful silk cloth,' he said, 'but it isn't the most beautiful in India. Look! It is not as beautiful as this one!' Omar pointed to a roll of red and gold silk cloth that would be used for a wedding sari.
     Akbar smiled. He knew that his uncle was teasing him. Everyone knew about his dream. Everyone knew that he wanted to make the most beautiful silk cloth in India.
     'I am going to see the Taj Mahal,' said Akbar, and went I come back I will make the most beautiful silk cloth in India.
     'Is this true?' Asked Omar. 'Are you really going to see Taj Mahal?'
     'Yes,' said Grandfather. 'If you will give us a good price for Akbar's silk, we will go tomorrow.'
    Tomorrow!Akbar had not dreamed that it would be so soon!
     'Will you buy my silk, Uncle Omar?' he begged. 'I must go with Grandfather to see Taj Mahal.'
     Uncle Omar smiled. He counted out some money and gave it to Grandfather.' Now will you have enough for the train tickets?' he asked.
     Grandfather counted the money. Uncle Omar had been very kind.
     'I will indeed!' He said. 'Tomorrow we will go to see Taj Mahal. Run home, Akbar, and tell your father.
     Akbar ran home as fast as he could. He had a lot to do before tomorrow. He had to fibd paper on which to draw new patterns, and pencils mark the colours. When he saw Taj Mahal , he was going to make the most beautiful silk cloth in India...........................................................................                 
                  -THE  END-
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