The Curious Playground -Nasif Bhuiya

Rafi kicked a small rock on the pavement as he walked home from school. His backpack felt heavier than usual, stuffed with homework, test papers, and extra assignments his parents had insisted he finish before bed. Playtime? That was a word he barely remembered. His friends always talked about video games, cricket matches, or bicycle races, but Rafi’s schedule was filled with math problems and science equations. His parents believed that “study, study, study” was the only key to success.

One evening, after another exhausting study session, Rafi stared out of his bedroom window. The moon was full, casting a silver glow over the rooftops. That’s when he noticed something strange—the wall at the far end of his backyard seemed… different. It looked almost as if a faint door shape was outlined against the bricks. Curious, he slipped on his slippers and sneaked outside.

As he ran his fingers over the wall, he felt a soft vibration, and before he could react, the outline of the door glowed golden. The bricks trembled, then melted away like mist. A narrow path appeared, leading into what looked like a forest. His heart pounded. Was he dreaming? Without thinking twice, he stepped inside.

Rafi gasped. Before him lay the most magnificent playground he had ever seen. Golden swings that glided through the air without ropes, slides that twisted like giant snakes, a vast field filled with kids playing football, and treehouses bigger than any he had imagined. Laughter and cheers filled the air. It was magical.

“Welcome, newcomer!” A boy about his age ran up to him. He had messy black hair and a mischievous grin. “I’m Zayan. This is the Hidden Playground. Here, no one tells you to stop playing.”

“The Hidden Playground?” Rafi repeated in amazement.

“Yup! It’s where kids come when they’ve forgotten how to play. The door only appears to those who need it the most. Come on, let me show you around!”

Rafi hesitated. His parents would be furious if they found out he wasn’t studying. But then he looked around—kids were smiling, running freely, their faces glowing with happiness. When was the last time he had felt this alive?

Zayan pulled him toward a giant trampoline. “Trust me, you’ll love it.”

As Rafi jumped, the trampoline shot him up into the sky, where he bounced off fluffy clouds like stepping stones. He burst into laughter—it was the best feeling ever. Then he tried the flying swings, raced through a maze of mirrors, and played an intense game of cricket with children from different times and places. Hours passed, but in the Hidden Playground, time seemed to move differently.

Just as he was about to try the giant water slide, a deep voice echoed through the air. “Rafi, it’s time to go back.”

He turned and saw an old man with kind eyes and a beard as white as snow. “Who are you?” Rafi asked, stepping closer.

“I am the Guardian of Play,” the man said, smiling. “This place exists because children deserve to be happy. But remember, life is about balance. Not only work hard, but also play. Love learning, but don’t forget to laugh. Go home, Rafi. Show your parents the importance of joy. The door will always be here when you need it.”

Rafi nodded slowly. He had never thought of it that way before. Studying was important, but so was being happy. As he walked back through the glowing door, he found himself in his backyard again. The wall was just a normal wall. The door was gone.

The next morning, as his parents sat at the breakfast table, Rafi took a deep breath. “Baba, Amma, can we do something different today? After I finish my homework, can we play a game together? Maybe go to the park?”

His parents exchanged surprised looks. “You want to play? With us?” his father asked.

Rafi nodded. “Yes. Because life isn’t just about studying. It’s about fun too.”

For a moment, his parents were silent. Then his mother smiled. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

That evening, for the first time in years, Rafi played catch with his father and ran barefoot in the grass with his mother. Laughter filled the air. As he looked up at the sky, he thought he saw a golden glow flicker against the backyard wall—just for a second.

He smiled. He knew the Hidden Playground would always be there, waiting for him whenever he needed to remember what truly mattered.