Note: We are delighted to announce that Sanyukta Tripathy’s story has emerged as the victorious entry from our summer short story writing competition and giveaway, ‘To the Lighthouse’. Congratulations to Sanyukta on this outstanding achievement!

About the Author

My name is Sanyukta Tripathy. I’m 13 years old, and I’m from Angul, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Out of my many hobbies I like,

• I would eagerly climb walls, trees, and anything that appeared conquerable through my eyes.
• I enjoy engaging in writing, reading, and playing video games, but within a limited timeframe.
• I find great enjoyment in playing sports, with basketball and swimming being among my favourites.
• Lastly, but certainly not least, I take pleasure in playing with my younger dog, Phoebe, while my other canine companion is a thirteen-year-old.

Some fun, straightforward facts about me are,

• I can communicate with my best friends just through my body language!
• During my visits to Viviana Mall, a familiar routine would unfold as my parents and I made our way to Starbucks. Standing there, a unique lady awaited, and as I entered and greeted her, she would always warmly address me by my special nickname, “butter croissant.”
• Should someone dare to cheat in a game of the classic Hide-and-Seek, I’m quite mischievous. If the seeker happens to cheat, I will not hesitate to challenge them and assign them the seeker role twice more!

That’s all about me, dear readers! 

The wind roared at me, making my curly hair fly backwards. I felt like Moana on the sea shore. The waves licked my calves as my feet dug through the sand. The sea smelt of salt and the turquoise green colour of the sea, stretched as far as the eye could see.

We had recently shifted from Florida to Maine, and I wasn’t particularly excited about going anywhere or seeing anything. But when we visited the Portland Head Light, the oldest lighthouse in Maine, I gasped at the sight of the lovely watchtower.

It was enormous, magnificent and well-maintained. It was going to be the best experience I had on my first day in Maine.

When we entered, we were greeted by its historical aura. I figured out that there were a couple of rooms inside the lighthouse. There was a control room, storage room, power room, bedroom and one service room. I saw a spiral staircase leading to the top of the tower. Climbing a staircase wasn’t my cup of tea because all it did, was remind me of how bad I was in Physical Education class. I got a gut feeling that I should go up and see the view. So off I marched, climbing the so called ‘never ending’ staircase. But the view was what really got me.

It was the kind of picture-perfect view like in stories. The big watch light instantly caught my eyes. I knew that it helped ships in olden times to reach the shores. Out of the blue, a cool breeze brushed against my face. Although the weather was humid, as we were close to the sea, I enjoyed every moment of it. Eyes shut, that was the best experience I have had.

I regretted being unnecessarily agitated about shifting from one place to another. I’ll never forget how my first day in Maine went by.