Ananya stood at the gate of her new school in Bengaluru, her stomach full of butterflies. Today was her first day. She had moved from Lucknow, leaving behind all her friends.

“What if nobody talks to me?” she worried. “What if they think I’m strange?”

The classroom was noisy and full of children who already knew each other. Ananya sat in the last bench, trying to be invisible.

During roll call, the teacher said, “We have a new student — Ananya Sharma, from Lucknow. Please make her feel welcome.”

A few students looked at her. Some smiled. Most went back to their conversations. Nobody came to talk to her.

At lunch break, Ananya sat alone under a tree, eating her roti and sabzi. She missed her old friends terribly. A tear rolled down her cheek.

Then a voice said, “Hi! I’m Priya. Is this seat taken?”

Ananya looked up, surprised. A girl with a bright smile was standing there, holding her tiffin box.

“N-no,” stammered Ananya. “Please sit.”

“You’re from Lucknow, right? I’ve always wanted to visit! Is it true that Lucknowi biryani is the best in India?” asked Priya cheerfully.

Ananya laughed — her first laugh at the new school! “Yes! My Ammi makes the best biryani. It’s famous in our neighbourhood!”

“You HAVE to bring some for me!” said Priya. “And in return, I’ll show you around the school. The library is amazing — and the canteen has the best samosas!”

By the end of lunch, Ananya had a friend. By the end of the week, she had a whole group. Priya introduced her to everyone.

“Thank you, Priya,” said Ananya one day. “That first day, I was so lonely. You were the only one who came to talk to me.”

Priya shrugged. “I was new here once too. I know how it feels. Everyone deserves a friend on their first day.”

Ananya hugged her. “You didn’t just give me a friend. You gave me courage to be myself in a new place.”

Years later, Ananya and Priya were still best friends. And every time a new student joined their class, Ananya was always the first to say: “Hi! I’m Ananya. Is this seat taken?”