The Mystery Maker: Hadi and the Secret Pages
Hadi was no ordinary 10-year-old. While other kids ran wild on the playground, kicking footballs and climbing jungle gyms, Hadi’s world was filled with monsters, secret maps, hidden codes, and thrilling adventures — all taking shape in the pages of his sketchbooks and comic journals.
He lived in a cozy, colorful house with his grandmother and grandfather, surrounded by the laughter of his maternal aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was a full house, but Hadi loved it that way. There was always something happening — a new story to listen to, a new game to play, and of course, new snacks to munch on. Nothing made Hadi happier than a plate of spicy biryani or cheesy macaroni while scribbling his next comic panel.
The Dreamer with a Pen
While some kids dreamed of being astronauts or pop stars, Hadi’s dreams changed like scenes in a movie. One day, he’d see himself as a famous author at a comic convention, signing books titled The Haunted Mirror or The Secret of the Snake Island. The next day, he’d imagine himself wearing a white chef’s hat, flipping gourmet burgers in a kitchen filled with the smell of sizzling fries. And sometimes, when he was exploring his grandfather’s old books about history and heroes, he pictured himself as a brave army man — charging into danger to protect the country with courage and cleverness.
But no matter which dream he followed on a particular day, there was one thing Hadi always loved: weapons. Not the scary kind — but the cool, heroic ones like swords from ancient times, spy gadgets, or laser blasters from his favorite sci-fi games. He could spend hours drawing futuristic weapons and creating secret spy missions in his mind.
The Case of the Disappearing Pages
One rainy afternoon, while the thunder growled outside and the smell of crispy potato cutlets filled the house, Hadi was in his room, finishing the final pages of his newest comic: The Curse of the Creepy Carnival. It was a mix of horror, mystery, and adventure — just the way he liked it.
But when he returned from dinner — a delicious pizza night with his cousins — something strange had happened. Five pages were missing.
Hadi blinked. Then searched under his bed. Then inside his drawer. Nothing.
“Did anyone come into my room?” he asked his cousin Arham.
“Nope,” Arham said, munching on the last slice of pizza. “Maybe one of your characters took them!”
That night, Hadi couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about who — or what — could have taken those pages. So he did what every brave hero in his comics would do — he became a detective.
Armed with a flashlight, a notebook, and a fake mustache made of cotton, Detective Hadi tiptoed through the house. He checked his cousins’ rooms, the kitchen (and grabbed a leftover burger while he was there), and even the storeroom where old toys and memories lived.
Finally, he reached his grandfather’s study — a room filled with books, maps, and quiet stories.
And there, under a stack of old newspapers, were his missing comic pages… with notes written on them in neat handwriting.
“You have talent,” the note said. “Keep writing.”
Hadi’s eyes lit up. It was his Maternal Aunt. The wise lady had read his comic and left feedback on each page. “Try making the villain even creepier,” one note said. “Add more suspense here,” another said.
Hadi smiled the biggest smile ever. Not only was his comic safe, but someone truly believed in his stories.
Author, Cook, Hero — Why Not All?
The next morning, Hadi made breakfast with his mother— scrambled eggs and toast — and told her everything.
“You can be anything you want, Hadi,” she said, patting his head. “Even all of them at once.”
So, Hadi added a new page to his journal titled: Future Plans:
- Write a bestselling comic book.
- Win a cooking contest with my spicy burger recipe.
- Save the world in my army uniform (and design my own superhero weapon).
- Never stop imagining.
And as the sun rose higher, Hadi picked up his pen, his comic pages, and a fresh slice of potato pie. His story was just beginning — and the world better be ready for it.
