The rain had been falling since dawn.

Supun looked through the misty window of the lodge and sighed.

“So much for our picnic.”

Outside, Horton Plains National Park had disappeared behind sheets of rain. The World’s End trail was closed, the grasslands shimmered under the downpour, and the children—Supun, Nirmani, Aravida, Deean, Siddhi, Arul, Kamani and Supipi—were beginning to wonder whether they would spend the whole day indoors.

Fortunately, this was no ordinary group of children.

They all shared one passion.

Books.

Their host, Mahesh, smiled as he poured another cup of hot tea.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “Here at Horton Plains the rain never lasts forever. And when it stops, wait outside. The sambars always come out after the rain.”

Supun’s eyes lit up.

“Then let’s create our own game while we wait.”

“What kind of game?” asked Kamani.

“A book challenge!”

Everyone immediately agreed.

The rules were simple.

Like musical chairs, each player had to answer a book-related question. One wrong answer meant elimination. The winner would be crowned “Master of the Book Mountain.”

Mahesh laughed.

“I’ve never seen children excited about books instead of mobile phones.”

Supun asked the first question.

“If someone wants to Buy Books Online Sri Lanka, which website should they visit?”

Nirmani answered without hesitation.

“Lanka Books Online!”

“Correct!”

Now it was Siddhi’s turn.

“Where would you recommend people looking for the best English Books Sri Lanka?”

Arul smiled.

“Lanka Books Online has one of the largest collections.”

Everyone nodded.

Kamani leaned forward.

“What category should parents search if they’re looking for the best Children’s Books Sri Lanka?”

Supipi answered immediately.

“Start with the children’s section and then choose books suitable for the child’s age.”

Deean asked the next question.

“What are the best Story Books Sri Lanka has for children who are just beginning to read?”

Nirmani replied,

“Books with simple vocabulary, colourful illustrations and short chapters.”

Aravida wanted something more challenging.

“What makes Imported Books Sri Lanka so popular?”

Supun thought for a moment.

“They give readers access to international authors and the newest editions that may not be published locally.”

“Excellent.”

Now Siddhi smiled.

“Who wrote Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Think Roald Dahl Sri Lanka.”

“Roald Dahl!”

No one missed that one.

Kamani’s question brought even bigger smiles.

“Everyone keeps asking for Daisy Meadows Sri Lanka books. But here’s the real question. Is Daisy Meadows actually one author?”

Deean laughed.

“No. Daisy Meadows is the collective pen name used by several writers.”

“Correct!”

Supipi continued.

“Who created The Gruffalo? Think Julia Donaldson Sri Lanka.”

“Julia Donaldson.”

Now it became more difficult.

Arul asked,

“Which author created Detective Roy Grace? Think Peter James Sri Lanka.”

After a few seconds Nirmani answered.

“Peter James.”

Another correct answer.

Supun looked around.

“Who is famous for writing legal thrillers? Think John Grisham Sri Lanka.”

Everyone answered together.

“John Grisham!”

The questions kept coming.

“What famous children’s adventure series were written by Enid Blyton Sri Lanka?”

“Famous Five.”

“Secret Seven.”

“The Magic Faraway Tree.”

“Correct!”

Mahesh decided to ask one himself.

“What book series has inspired millions of young readers to fall in love with reading? Think Harry Potter Sri Lanka.”

Supipi grinned.

“Harry Potter.”

The competition was becoming intense.

Only five children remained.

Mahesh smiled again.

“One more.”

He looked at Supun.

“If you wanted to encourage young readers, what kind of books would you recommend?”

Supun answered thoughtfully.

“I’d begin with Reading Books for Children that match their age and interests. Then I’d introduce Chapter Books Sri Lanka readers enjoy before moving on to longer novels. That’s how children gradually build confidence.”

Everyone applauded.

Just then…

The rain stopped.

Sunlight broke through the clouds.

Mahesh quietly opened the lodge door.

“Children…”

They all looked up.

“The sambars are here.”

Without another word, everyone ran outside.

Across the wet grasslands, a herd of majestic sambar deer had emerged from the forest exactly as Mahesh had promised.

For a long moment nobody spoke.

The mountains, the mist, the silence and the wild deer created a scene more magical than any storybook.

Finally Supun smiled.

“We still don’t have a winner.”

Nirmani laughed.

“Then we’ll finish the Book Challenge another day.”

Everyone agreed.

Some games deserve to continue.

Just like a good book.

Just like friendship.

And just like the joy of discovering new worlds through English story books, there is always another chapter waiting to be read.