SHILLONG: Laika and her friends always dream of going to space and one day they finally reach their destination and also manage to catch a shooting star. Sam too touches the sky when his ‘special plant’ grows tall enough to let him climb up to the clouds. Princess Mia is not too lucky as she has to be a prisoner of a witch. But a charming prince rescues her and they live happily ever after.
The one thing that Laika, Sam and Princess Mia have in common is that they are friends of Elaine Norah Chiang Shangpliang, albeit imaginary.
Elaine is an eight-year-old storyteller and dwells in her world of imagination where fairies grant wishes and ‘The Good Teddy Bear’ saves his human friend from examination. The Class II student of Loreto Convent launched her debut book, Elaine’s Short Stories, on Monday.
Speaking at the launch, Elaine’s mother, Anjalee Shangpliang, said her daughter is a voracious reader and also loves to listen to fairy tales.
“Every day she would ask me to tell stories. After my story bank got exhausted, I would make up stories but soon Elaine would catch me doing that.”
With time, Elaine too became an expert storyteller. On the occasion of her eighth birthday, which she celebrated with her twin brother on Monday, her parents decided to compile eight of her short stories.
“We are proud of Elaine… It (the book) will not only encourage the young author but will also inspire other students to take up writing,” said Sister Mercia D’souza, principal, Loreto Convent.
The book also has illustrations by Elaine and foreword by Pauline Warjri. “I have been writing for many months now. I love fairy tales but I have also written about my pet dog,” the young author said.
Elaine’s twin brother, Ethan John, is a painter. The student of St Edmund’s School exhibited his paintings on the same day. From pencil sketch, water colour and pastels, Ethane has an array of paintings to exhibit.
“Our house would be full of paintings so we decided to compile them too and organise an exhibition,” said the proud mother.
