HOP A LONG | Free Children Book
Nov 26, 2025
A new life begins for Aabhas after a tragic accident changes everything. Moving from Pondur to New Jersey, he must adjust to a wheelchair, a new home, and a new way of seeing the world. With the gentle guidance of his grandparents and the inspiring spirit of a one-legged goose named Hop-A-Long, Aabhas learns that hope and strength can be found in unexpected places.
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My name is Aabhas, and I would like to share my story with you.
It is a story that you may find sad.
You may be asking why I want to share a story that may be sad. There is an easy answer, but I think I will let you find it in my story.
I will help you understand by first telling you that nothing is as bad as you first think it might be. That is not to say it is not bad or that it is not unhappy. But if you seek comfort, you just may find it. I did.
I now live with my grandfather, Aadi, and my grandmother, Aabhal, in the United States. They own a small shop in a small town in New Jersey. It is a Deli, and all of us are quite busy serving the many customers.
I am a little slow helping them because I must be in a wheelchair, but do not feel bad for me. In time, I will be able to use crutches, and maybe, just maybe, I will be able to walk, run, and hop, as I did in Pondur.
I moved here from Pondur, a small town on the Southeast coast of India, after my family and I were in a very bad automobile accident. I am glad my grandparents could bring me to America, as they are now the only family I have. For that, I am most grateful.
I do not remember the accident. I only remember opening my eyes in a hospital and seeing my grandfather, Aadi sitting next to me.
“Grandfather,” I whispered. “What happened?”
As I waited for his response, I looked at him, saw him smile, and several tears ran down his cheek.
The next day, my grandfather, Aadi explained what had happened in Pondur and that I was in a hospital in America. He also explained that my legs were not working and that I would need to be in a wheelchair.
My grandmother, Aabhal interrupted him and said, “The doctor told me that with much work you would be able to use crutches.” Then she looked at me, smiled softly, and said, “Who knows what the future may hold?”
I cried for a long time as my grandmother, Aabhal held me, and we all wept for our losses.
For several days, I was very angry and sad, but as time passed, I healed and became stronger. I will never understand why everything happened as it did, but My grandmother, Aabhal helped me understand that there was a bright future. My grandfather, Aadi helped me understand that it was up to me to find it.
In time, I was well enough to be released from the hospital, and even though I was in a wheelchair, I was happy to be going home.
As we left the hospital, I could only see very tall buildings. It was a city like I had never seen before. So many buildings and so much noise- much different from Pondur.
After driving for some time, the tall buildings got shorter, and eventually the city turned into large towns and then small towns. The grey background of the buildings slowly disappeared and was replaced by green trees and low, rolling mountains.
We passed several large lakes, and the deep blue water contrasted sharply with the green trees and light blue sky. It was very pretty and, again, much different from Pondur.
The car slowed and turned from the road into a parking area. “We are here,” grandmother, Aabhal said with a smile.
As my grandfather, Aadi helped me into my wheelchair, he explained that during my time in the hospital, they had made changes to the home. Ramps replaced stairs, and everything was made to make it easier for me.
They showed me around, and when I was comfortable with my new home, they let me explore the area. Later that day, they brought me to the store and explained what I would be doing to help their customers.
When I awoke the next morning, I heard many birds in the back of the house. Honk – Honk – Honk - they made such a loud noise. Not the pretty song most birds sing.
It was hard, but I got dressed and slid into my wheelchair from the bed. I worked my way through the house and onto the back porch. From there, I could see many large birds. Some are lying in the grass, others are chasing one another, some are eating, and others are flying in and out.
I had never seen birds like these and wished I could run through the yard as many were doing. I became sad.
As I watched the birds and dreamed of chasing them, I heard my grandmother Aabhal say: “They are Canada geese, and they visit here each fall. Some even stay here all year.”
As she bent down to kiss my forehead, she whispered, “I know you are feeling sad, but you will do just fine, even in your wheelchair. In fact, one of those birds has only one leg, and he survives just fine. I call him Hop-A-Long. Look, you can’t miss him.”
“But he has wings and can fly,” I said in a sad voice.
“But you have wheels and can roll,” she replied.
As I looked at each bird, I finally saw Hop-A-Long. Instead of waddling across the grass like the others, he bounced. Having only one leg did not seem to bother him or the other geese.
My Grandmother, Aabhal, smiled and said, “Watch Hop-A-Long and see how well he does. Think about how hard it must be for him, yet he does not act any differently than the other geese. I think we have something to learn from Hop-A-Long. Why don’t you watch for a while, and when you are ready, come in and I will make you breakfast?” She then returned to the house.
I watched Hop-A-Long and the other geese for a while and realised if a one-legged bird could be happy, have friends, and be part of the community, so could I.
My tummy growled as I turned the wheelchair, pushed on the wheels, and headed inside.
Hop-A-Long helped me to understand that not everything is good, fun, or even easy. But you can make the best of every situation.
I understood how lucky I was, and maybe that is why my mother and father named me Aabhas - “realisation” in my native language.
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