Kids stories by Nashmiya

A Long-Ago Custom in Hunza Once upon a time, in the beautiful valleys of Hunza , there was a curious tradition set by the king. Travelers who wanted to move from one region to another had to pay a small road tax, called “Rah Dari” in Urdu, or locally known as “Ladari.” Guards were stationed at the entry points to collect this tax. Back then, most people in Hunza didn’t carry coins. They grew crops, tended to sheep and cows, and used what they had for food. So, a child wanting to pass the Ladari checkpoint would find themselves in a tricky situation — how could they pay a penny when they didn’t have one? Meet Naino: The Mischievous Girl In one of the valleys lived a lively and mischievous little girl named Naino . Naino had a reputation for clever tricks and unusual antics . Her friends loved her, but they also knew that following her meant unexpected adventures — some hilarious, some daring. Among her friends was my grandmother, who had grown up alongside Naino. The two of the...

A Glimpse Into Old Hunza’s Childhood Games Long ago, in the rugged beauty of Hunza Valley, life moved to the rhythm of traditions, seasons, and stories that passed from one generation to another. During those times, Hunza followed a kingship system. The king would often ride out with his two bodyguards—one walking on each side—to observe village matters, meet the people, and watch cultural sports. Among the most popular traditional games of the region was Bulla , the local form of hockey. Children and adults alike played it using handmade wooden sticks called finchi , while a small wooden ball called tharii was smacked across open ground. Sometimes Bulla was even played on horseback, raising clouds of dust and laughter in the air. Within this colourful life lived my grandmother, a fearless, lively, and mischievous girl—lovingly called Naino . The Day of the Royal Play One sunny afternoon, all the children of my grandmother’s neighbourhood—boys and girls together—gathered for th...

A true story from my grandmother's childhood, retold for young readers. 🌾 Life in Old Hunza Long ago, in the beautiful valleys of Hunza , where tall mountains touch the sky and rivers sparkle under the sun, people lived a very simple life. Food was scarce, and every grain was precious. Those were times when there were no markets full of food like we have today. People depended on what they grew in their fields . Wheat was their main crop — it was harvested once a year and stored carefully for the whole season. My grandmother used to say that they had a special word for wheat in their language — “Dishaki.” It meant the main food grain that everyone relied on for making bread. There was also a special measuring bowl used to make one big piece of bread for men called “tie bread.” It was thick and heavy, meant to give them energy for hard fieldwork. Women often ate thinner bread made from wheat, maize, or barley because they saved the better portions for their families. Li...

Introduction: The Magic of My Grandmother’s Stories Growing up, one of my favorite moments was sitting beside my grandmother as she shared her childhood stories from the mountains of Gilgit Baltistan . Her tales were more than memories — they were windows into a simpler world, filled with community spirit, traditions, and the wonders of nature. One story that has stayed with me forever is about a strange and mysterious event that happened when she was a child — an encounter that left her and her friends both terrified and amazed. Today, I want to share that story — a real-life experience that connects the innocence of village life to one of history’s greatest inventions: the airplane. Life in the Mountains of Gilgit Baltistan In the old days, life in the mountain villages of Gilgit Baltistan was beautifully simple and self-sufficient. Families kept sheep, goats, and cows , which played an important role in their daily lives. The manure was used to fertilize fields, helping to ...

 The Poor Man and His Son Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a poor man with his wife and only son. They lived a simple life, but the son had big dreams. One day, he said to his father, “Father, I want to marry the princess. Please go to the palace and take my proposal.” The Father’s Fear The poor man was shocked. “My son, how can we even think of such a thing? We are poor, and the king would never accept.” But the son kept insisting until his father, though frightened, set off toward the palace. The First Excuse On his way, the poor man came across muddy marshes, slipped, and covered himself in dirt. Ashamed and nervous, he returned home and said, “My son, the king’s guards threw me into the marshes and beat me badly. Look at my condition!” The Son’s Doubt But the son was clever and replied, “Father, I know you didn’t go to the palace. You are making excuses. Please, try again.” The Second Excuse Reluctantly, the poor man set out once more. This time, he ...

The Uncle and Aunt’s Sneaky Plan Khacharo, the stubborn boy, continued his journey with his uncle and aunt. After the earlier incident where Khacharo accidentally caused his uncle to lose a tooth, the uncle and aunt were plotting again. “Tonight,” whispered the uncle, “we’ll sleep on the edge of a steep hill. We’ll put Khacharo on the outer edge. When he falls asleep, wake me, and I’ll kick him down. Then we’ll finally be free.” But Khacharo was no ordinary boy. He carefully listened to their plan while pretending to be busy moving forward with the donkey. Khacharo Outsmarts the Adults That night, they rested on a steep hillside as planned. They arranged themselves: Khacharo on the edge, the uncle next, and the aunt after him. Khacharo stayed awake and, when the adults fell into deep sleep, quietly switched places with his aunt. At midnight, he mimicked his aunt’s voice and woke the uncle. The uncle kicked, expecting to send Khacharo down the hill—but instead, only air met his ...

🌟 The King, the Queen, and the Poor Look-Alike  Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a powerful ruler named King Qubat Shahriyar and his wise a graceful queen. One day, while touring their kingdom, the royal couple noticed a poor woodcutter who bore an uncanny resemblance to the king himself. Surprised, the queen remarked, “Look, my king! This man looks just like you, yet he is poor. Perhaps his wife is careless and unwise, which is why he lives in such hardship.” The king, feeling insulted, replied angrily, “So you think you made me a king? If that’s true, go to this man and make him a king too!” Taking the challenge seriously, the queen left the palace, disguised herself as the man’s sister, and began living in his humble home. The Queen’s Clever Plan The poor man, a kindhearted woodcutter, earned his living by gathering firewood from the forest each day, selling it, and spending all his earnings on cooked meals. The queen observed this pattern and ad...