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The Secret of Shetty Sambhar

Ages 7-9
10 min read
Friendship Theme
🎯 You'll Learn:
• Understanding cultural heritage
• Problem-solving skills
• Importance of honesty
• Value of friendship
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☀️
In the bustling city of Mumbai, the Shetty family was buzzing with excitement. Today was very special — it was little Anshika’s first birthday!
Everyone was invited to their home in Chembur for a grand lunch. Anshika’s big sister, Shanay, was especially excited.
She loved helping her grandmother in the kitchen, where the smell of spices always made her happy.
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But today, the most special thing was her grandmother’s famous Shetty sambhar — a recipe passed down through generations, written carefully in an old, worn-out book.
As guests arrived, the house filled with laughter, music, and the delicious aroma of food. Everyone talked about how they couldn’t wait to taste grandmother’s sambhar.
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“It’s the best in Mumbai!” they said. After the feast, Shanay helped clear the table. That’s when she noticed something strange — the old recipe book was missing!
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She looked everywhere — on the kitchen shelf, under the table, even inside her own room. But the book was nowhere to be found.
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While everyone else was panicking, Shanay took a deep breath. “The clue must be in the details,” she whispered to herself.
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She carefully inspected the main door, and that’s when she saw it — a tiny silver thread stuck on a nail near the frame.
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It looked like it had torn off from someone’s clothing as they rushed out. She thought hard. “Only one person at the lunch was wearing a silver jacket...”
Mr. R. Vijay. Next building was where Mr. R. Vijay’s ran his lunch home. Shanay had heard stories about him.
People said he wanted to become the best cook in Mumbai, especially famous for his sambhar. Shanay decided to visit Mr. R. Vijay.
“Did you see a recipe book here during the lunch?” she asked politely. Mr. R. Vijay looked surprised.
“No, little one. I didn’t take any book,” he said with a smile. An uncomfortable smile.
Shanay nodded but wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth. She thanked him and went back home.
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Days passed, and the mystery of the missing book kept her curious. Deep down she knew Mr. Vijay was lying.
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Then, one sunny afternoon, there was a knock on their door. It was Mr. R. Vijay! He held the recipe book in his hands.
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“I have to confess, Shanay,” he said shyly. “After tasting your grandmother’s sambhar during the birthday lunch, I wanted to make the same taste at my lunch home.
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I thought having the recipe book would help me become Mumbai’s number one sambhar maker.”
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“But...” he sighed, “I tried and tried, but the sambhar never tasted the same. I’m sorry for taking the book without asking.”
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Shanay smiled kindly. “It’s okay, but why doesn’t it taste the same?” Just then, her grandmother joined them and said,
“If you want to truly know the secret, you must come with us to our village next month.”
🦋
A month later, Shanay and Mr. R. Vijay traveled to the small village where her grandmother grew up. The village was full of green fields and a special spice garden.
Her grandmother showed them rows of turmeric, curry leaves, tamarind, and many rare spices. “The magic of our sambhar comes from these spices,” she explained.
“The recipe works only with spices grown here — fresh and full of flavor.” Mr. R. Vijay was amazed.
He touched the leaves gently and smelled the fresh herbs. “Now I understand! That’s why I couldn’t make the same sambhar in Mumbai.”
Back in Mumbai, Mr. R. Vijay often came to their house to taste the authentic Shetty sambhar made with village spices.
He even renamed the dish on his menu to Shetty Sambhar, in honor of the recipe’s roots and the family who shared it.
Shanay felt proud. Her family’s sambhar wasn’t just a dish — it was a story of tradition, friendship, and the special bond between the city and the village.
And every time she smelled sambhar cooking in the kitchen, she smiled, knowing she was part of something truly special.
The End ✨
💫 Remember:
True flavor comes from tradition and sharing.
🎭 Emotional Journey:
Curiosity Pride Wonder
👥 Meet the Characters:
Shanay - A curious and brave young girl who loves her family's sambhar and is determined to solve the mystery of the missing recipe book.
Mr. R. Vijay - A local cook with ambitions to be the best sambhar maker in Mumbai, who learns the importance of authenticity.

Thank you for reading
"The Secret of Shetty Sambhar"!

💭 Let's Talk About It:
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What did Shanay learn from Mr. Vijay?
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