Opening Ibrahim’s lunch box, Zayn let out a yelp!

      “How… how did you know?” Zayn stammered.

      “Skill, my dear cousin, skill,” replied Ibrahim, ruffling Zayn’s already messy hair, which he liked to keep a little long.

      Ibrahim, who was a little taller than his cousin, had short black hair and an infectious smile.

      Pulling his lunch box towards him, Ibrahim took out the contents one at a time: a bottle of milk, a bag of grapes, three Triple Chocolate Delight cookies and, of course, a large container of spaghetti and meatballs.

      “I wish I’d get a Triple Chocolate Delight cookie once in a while,” Zayn complained, eyeing Ibrahim’s snack. “All I ever get are apples, apples and more apples.

      “My parents bought ten boxes – five from me and five from my sister – to help with the school fundraising drive. You’re welcome to have as many as you like,” Ibrahim offered.

      “Really?” asked Zayn. “I’ll be over right after school! Can you believe it? The class that sells the most wins a trip to Camp Chimo!”

      “Yeah, that would be amazing,” said Ibrahim. “Huda and her grade two friends set up a lemonade stand at our next door neighbour’s garage sale last Saturday.”

      “That’s really smart of your sister!” said Zayn.

      Huda, who was just a year younger than Ibrahim, was a straight A student and head of the school book club. She always wore her long hair in a ponytail, covered in a long, colourful hijab.

      “Come on Ibrahim, we’re detectives and in grade three!” said Zayn “We should be able to come up with an even better idea to win this thing.”

      “I think the point is to raise money for schools in Eastern Nepal,” reasoned Ibrahim. “The camping trip is just a way to get us excited.”

      “Well it’s working,” said Zayn. “Because I’m really excited!”