The Mirror’s Price - Avani Shetty - Std 8 - 12

This is a story about a little girl named Emma. Emma always felt plain. She thinks that her life would completely change if she looked different, maybe like someone in a movie. Her parents always insist that she’s beautiful just the way she is and that there is beauty in being her own unique person. She doesn’t have to look like anyone else to be special. But Emma doesn’t feel special. She longs for the attention of the most popular beautiful girls. That’s not to say that Emma is so lonely. In fact, she has a great group of friends that she loves spending time with. They have inside jokes and secret handshakes. They always make her forget about her worries and just enjoy the moment. But it’s when she’s by herself that she begins to wonder if she’s good enough again.

Then one day Emma finds a mirror that somebody threw out. It looks like a mirror some princess would have. Emma decides to clean it up and put it in her room. Suddenly, she sees that the mirror is rippling like it was made out of liquid. Then, all of a sudden, a masked man appears in the mirror. He says that this is a magical mirror. This could grant any of your wishes. But in exchange I will take something of yours and it will be teleported through this mirror forever. Even though Emma knew the consequences she still agreed. She gazes at the mirror and thinks about all the things she would like to change about herself, stating off with her eyes. She has a thought. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have brightly coloured eyes. As soon as the thought struck her mind, her eye’s colour change from brown to blue. She can’t believe it. She just assumes it as a trick of the mirror. The next morning when she woke up, she again saw her reflection in the mirror with her eyes still blue. Her parents were astonished. As Emma leaves for school, her parents think how could this have happened. In school, her friends can’t believe it. Other kids in the school start looking at her blue eyes. Emma gets the attention she always wished for. She goes back to her house to see the mirror. She thinks, if the mirror could change her eye colour, then what else could it change. She thinks about having a red head.

As soon as the thought struck her mind, she gets it. She starts thinking about having a perfect nose, perfect ears and everything she wished for. She finally gets what she wants. She looks like the model she saw in a tv show. But as soon as she went to her parents, they can’t recognise her. They think that this might be some sort of a joke and say that they do not allow strangers. Emma convinces them that she just looks different. But her parents drove her away. As she goes to her school, she thinks that her friends might recognise her. But they don’t recognize her and they stay away from her. Emma tries to convince them by doing their secret handshake and tells that that she is Emma and she just looks different. But her friends say that friendship is not based on looks.

Desperate to get her old life back she takes the mirror and thinks about the things she had before. She thinks about her eyes, nose, ears and so much more. But nothing changes. The masked man appears and says this is what you wanted. Emma tells him to give back her old life. But the man says that you have vowed that you will give something in exchange which is your old life. Emma is stuck looking like this completely whole new person. Frustrated Emma throws the mirror to the floor. She now knows why someone had thrown it out. Emma decides that all she can do now is try to be herself as best as she can. But what she doesn’t notice that inside the mirror is a terrified Emma, the old Emma desperate to get out.

About the Author :

Meet Avani Akshath Shetty :

Avani is a 13-year-old student of St. Arnold's Central School whose world bursts with colours, rhythm, and imagination. A passionate sketch artist and graceful dancer, Avani recently secured first place in a national art competition—testament to her creativity and dedication. When she’s not busy bringing her sketchbook to life or mastering her dance moves, she’s serving and smashing on the volleyball court with equal enthusiasm.

Avani dreams of playing volleyball at a professional level, but her heart also belongs to storytelling. Inspired by writers like Sudha Murthy, she crafts tales that reflect warmth, wisdom, and a spark of wonder. Her stories often carry a quiet strength—just like her.

She shared her story to inspire young readers to embrace their talents, believe in their dreams, and express themselves boldly—because every sketch, step, and sentence can become something beautiful.

About the Story

This story was submitted by the author as an entry for the BhashaLab Ultimate Story Writing Competition, 2025. We appreciate their creativity, thoughtful expression, and the courage to share their voice with a wider audience. Thank you!

End

About BhashaLab

BhashaLab is a dynamic platform dedicated to the exploration and mastery of languages - operating both online and offline. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF), we offer language education that emphasizes measurable learning outcomes and recognized, transferable credits.

We offer:

1. NEP alligned offline Indian language courses for degree colleges - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi

2. NEP alligned offline language courses for schools - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi

3. Std VIII, IX and X - English and Sanskrit Curriculum Tuitions - All boards

4. International English Olympiad Tuitions - All classes

5. Basic and Advanced English Grammar - Offline and Online - Class 3 and above

6. English Communication Skills for working professionals, adults and students - Offline and Online

Contact: +91 86577 20901, +91 97021 12044

Mail: info@bhashalab.com

Website: www.bhashalab.com