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After this, Malini always spent her time in front of the laptop and on social networking
sites, posting her selfies and random pictures. She hardly found time to focus on her
studies and practise her music and dance lessons.

Her tutors were concerned and approached the king and said, ‘Your Highness, our
princess is extremely talented in both music and dance. Of lately, she has lost interest in
these art forms. Can we request you to ensure that she minimises these distractions so

that she can focus on her classes?’
The king and queen did not fully realise the gravity of the situation. To them, the
princess’ happiness meant everything.

The king said ‘Learned one, the princess is still a young girl and there is plenty of time

for her to hone her dancing and music skills. Let her do what gives her happiness.
For now, let’s stop these classes. I will
summon you all when needed.’

The disappointed tutors left the court.
And this meant Malini had more time to

sit in front of the laptop.
When googling, Malini found the pictures

of pizzas and burgers appealing and she
wanted to have them. The king ordered
the palace chef to get the recipes for these
Italian dishes and make them in the royal
kitchen. Soon, pizza, burger, hamburgers

replaced the traditional rice, daal, and
subzi. Carbonated drinks replaced milk,
lassi, and tender coconut.

Slowly, Malini became more obsessed
with taking pictures, posting them on
social networking sites, and counting the
number of likes. This sedentary lifestyle
made her obese, drained out, and

tired. Also, her beautiful eyes became gravity: seriousness
dull with dark circles beneath them. hone: to perfect (something) over a period of time
googling: using the Google search engine to obtain
They were strained and she had information on the Internet
difficulty in seeing distant objects. carbonated: (of a drink) bubbly because it contains carbon
dioxide
The king and queen noticed the obsessed: too interested in something
sedentary: involving little exercise or physical activity
changes in Malini’s health and obese: extremely fat in a way that is dangerous for health
strained: very tired
lifestyle and now they were worried.

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