A happy family filled with joy and humour
Every day included tales of some missing things
Some found after a long search, some never to be found

Till one day, their young daughter went missing
Everyone was stunned and refused to accept
“How could a child not return from school?”

The police swarmed each house and passerby with questions
Everyone who knew the child was out on the streets with her photo
They retraced the path she took to return from school, endlessly

Gloom descended, every heart who knew the child was filled with pain
The memories of her smile, her innocence were the topic of discussion
The family tried to hold the thread of hope, despite the strain

The air was filled with prayers to return her home safely
Friends, relatives, neighbours were ready to chip in for her ransom
Every search turned futile, time brought only despair as she remained missing