Inspiration from the Sunday Reading Sessions - Akanksha Rai

Reflection Sunday School

Instead of reflecting on the stories themselves, I would like to share a few things from the three readings that stayed with me.

From Brinda Ma’am’s session, the thing that caught my attention was the owl. Growing up, I have heard many myths about owls—that they bring bad luck, should not be seen at night, or are connected with death. Because of these stories, owls have always seemed mysterious to me. At the same time, I find them fascinating and even cute. The reading made me curious to learn more about them and understand the truth behind these beliefs. It reminded me that nature becomes more interesting when we observe it with curiosity rather than assumptions.

From Jugjiv Sir’s session, I would like to reflect on the moon. Since childhood, I have loved looking at it and feeling as if it were following me wherever I went. For me, the moon brings back happy memories and reminds me of people who are important to me. Whenever I look at it, I feel calm and connected, even to those who are far away.

From Manisha Ma’am’s session, the image of a tunnel stayed with me. It reminded me of the movie Train to Busan and made me think about how tunnels often represent mystery and uncertainty. Yet they also remind us that after every dark passage, there is light ahead.

These three simple things—an owl, the moon, and a tunnel—made the readings memorable for me because they connected the stories with my own experiences and thoughts.

Akanksha Rai

Price of happiness- Aati Pema

Beneath the scorching June sun rays the dark tar road was sweltered and made road seem to wobble from afar. I was standing underneath a thicket by the road talking about the tests we gave, when I noticed a person walking almost aimlessly. Though it is not a usual seen as poverty still reigns here amidst those who were left behind by the "progressive world". An impulse nudged me to observe him. He was a middle-aged man but his state seems to age him, his hair ran down from the back of his head, his eyes seemed other worldly to me as it seemed to be looking for something but he was not observing anything. All of a sudden, he stopped and looked down. A look of curiosity and confusion bore on his face as he slightly tilted his head from side to side as if wondering what he is seeing. 

After observing for a few moments, he stood and looked up. I followed his gaze but nothing was there. He bent slowly and picked the object up; it was then that i saw what it was. It was a ten-rupee coin which must have been lost by a passerby. He looked at it with dearness and his countenance became jolly he held it against his chest looking up again he thanked. His eyes were like an empty space but it felt as though it looked for something. After thanking a few times, he carefully kept it in the pocket nearest to his heart and gave it a few good pat. Then again, he set on in his way, I had not known him there was a lesson. To be happy is a choice, to be grateful is a choice and our character is thus made by our choices. Situations are unpredictable but what we do in turn are our choices, and so are we defined. 

Aati Pema

St Thomas College 

Image Courtesy- Science News