It’s time for Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O’Neal’s #springflingkidlit contest. I love working with prompts; they always push me to create something different.

This time, for the spring theme, I imagined the kite festival played in some parts of India to celebrate spring. It is called Makar Sankranti in some parts, or Uttarayan in others. While the characters I created plunged headlong into the kite flying festivities, I couldn’t ignore the issues caused by reckless kite flying. Over the years, kite flying contests became so competitive, that contestants began lining their strings with glass and glue to make them sharp and cut their opponents’ strings. The sharp strings not only cause accidents with participants, but they also cause immeasurable damage to the birds especially when they flood the sky during sunset hours. Recent campaigns have raised awareness and encouraged people to take responsibility and protect their environment while also having fun. I strongly believe that children have a natural moral compass. When the facts are laid out in front of them, they eventually make difficult, but right choices. I created my own GIF for this using Canva.

https://ephmedia.giphy.com/fface09f-2037-4dc9-a06e-14912240f7d1.gif

Kite Strings (Word Count 146)

It’s the spring Uttarayan kite contest.

If my kite stays up the longest, I’ll win!

Up, Up 

my kite soars

I tug at my string. 

Preethi rolls the spool.

The wind whistles and blows.

The strings slide and cut.

Down, down 

kites crash.

Until only two are left 

and one is

mine!

If I hold on a little longer 

I’ll win!

Just then, 

“The birds!” Preethi says. She points to the blushing horizon.

“The birds! 

Remember?

Ma warned us – No kites at sundown. The sharp strings can cut the birds’ wings.”

My kite string tightens around my hand

and heart.

This is my chance to win!

But…

I let go. 

We reel my kite in. 

I see it crumpled at my feet

and sink.

But later,

As Preethi and I lie on our backs.

watching birds flood the sunset sky 

dipping, 

darting,

dancing,

free…

I soar.