Sunday School is a wonderful time to read, learn and have fun together. Our reading sessions encourage us to share our ideas, listen to different perspectives and reflect on what we have read. Through these conversations, we develop a deeper understanding of the story and ourselves. Reading together makes learning joyful, meaningful and engaging.
Reflections -PYDS by Manisha Khanna
Every Sunday School session is an opportunity to discover new ideas, explore inspiring stories, and develop meaningful life skills. Reading is just the beginning—the real learning happens when students pause to reflect on what they have read, connect it with their own experiences, and express their thoughts in their own words.
Through thoughtful reflections, students transform stories into life lessons, strengthen their critical thinking, and build confidence in expressing their ideas. Each reflection is a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and deeper understanding, showing that every book has the power to inspire, every story has a lesson to teach, and every learner has a unique voice worth sharing.
Today’s session didn’t feel like just reading—it felt like exploring different worlds through curiosity.
In “The World in a Wall,” what stayed with me was not the scorpions, but the author’s perspective. Something people fear became fascinating to him, making me wonder how many “walls” around us hold unnoticed stories. His curiosity turned the ordinary into something magical.
I also realized how observation can become learning. Quietly noticing and being curious felt more meaningful than just reading facts.
Ms. Sakini’s story stood out for her inner conflict. It made me reflect on how we often link our worth to productivity, and how accepting balance can actually be a form of wisdom.
Along with it, Aradhya’s description of the book “The Colors We Never Named” felt especially captivating—it was as if she gave words to emotions we often feel but rarely express, making the unseen quietly come alive.
“Sabse Khubsurat” stayed with me emotionally, showing how deeply words can affect someone and how little we try to understand others.
Today’s session felt different in a nice, quiet way. While reading “The World in a Wall” by Gerald Durrell, I kept thinking about how something most of us would be scared of—like scorpions—could actually become so interesting just because someone chose to observe it closely. It made me pause and wonder how many small things around me I ignore every day.
Ms Sakini’s story felt very real. The way she didn’t want to be treated differently, and how she slowly understood that accepting help doesn’t make you weak—it just makes life a little more balanced—really stayed with me. It also made me feel that sometimes we all need our own personal space, not because we are shy or introverted, but simply because we enjoy being with ourselves.
“Sabse Khubsurat” was simple but touching. It reminded me that people we call “different” are often just misunderstood, and how easily our words can affect someone. It also made me realize that making a mistake isn’t the worst thing—what truly matters is accepting it, acknowledging that it wasn’t right, and making sure we don’t repeat it again. Manisha ma’am explained this so beautifully.
Even small things like learning why the sky is blue—because of Rayleigh scattering—made the world feel a bit more meaningful.
And Arfa’s article honestly felt very real, like thoughts we all have but don’t always say out loud.
The discussion about mummies, animals, swallows, and birds made the session more interactive and broadened my understanding beyond just the text.
In the chapter, we also saw how Larry invited eight of his friends, which created a lively situation and even led to a short argument with his mother. This part showed the family dynamics in a realistic and slightly humorous way.
Overall, the session felt peaceful and informative, and it helped me connect better with the story and its characters.
Ishika Singh
Class 10-B
Sunbeam School, Ballia
Jai Hind all,
The discussion on the book My Family and Other Animals helped me understand how reading can deepen our understanding of nature, family relationships, and human emotions. Through the session, I realised that books are not only helpful for academic learning but also play an essential role in shaping our thoughts and feelings.
The session encouraged me to read more carefully and reflect on the messages embedded in stories. Overall, the reading session was enjoyable and informative, and it helped me understand the true importance of reading in a student’s life.
Deenshah
IX
Sunbeam School Ballia
Reflections on Today's Sunday Session
At the beginning of the session, Kartik Sir taught us two important aspects of book writing through examples and small tasks: creating the mood of a story and describing a person without actually naming them. Later, Brinda Ma’am introduced a new chapter from the new book, which was based entirely on these two concepts. It served as a perfect example of what we had just learned. Through this session, I learnt new things, new words, and new ways of writing. Along with them, Jugjiv Sir, Vikram Sir, Minakshi Ma’am, and Manisha Ma’am all contributed to making the session smooth and engaging.
Akanksha Rai
9th ‘C’
Sunbeam School Ballia
Jai Hind, dear readers
Today’s Good School Alliance session, conducted by Jugjiv Sir and Manisha Ma’am, was truly enlightening and inspiring. Jugjiv Sir read and explained the story “The Door-to-Door Bookstore” in a very expressive and engaging manner. The story beautifully conveyed the power of reading and how books can shape our imagination and personality.
The story revolves around Carl Konrad Koreander, a passionate bookstore owner, whose shop is filled with rare and magical books. One day, a young boy named Bastian visits his store and discovers that books are not just pages with words, but gateways to imagination, wisdom, and self-discovery. Through their interaction, the story highlights how reading can open our minds, deepen our understanding, and make us see the world differently.
Throughout the session, Sir guided us in learning the correct pronunciation and meanings of several difficult words. This helped improve our reading fluency and vocabulary. The interactive discussion and thoughtful questions encouraged us to think critically and share our interpretations, which made the session both educational and enjoyable.
From this experience, I understood that regular reading not only enhances our language skills but also strengthens our concentration, creativity, and empathy. Books truly are our best companions, helping us learn, grow, and dream beyond boundaries.
In conclusion, today’s session was deeply motivating, informative, and memorable. It has inspired me to make reading a daily habit and to explore more meaningful stories that enrich both mind and heart.
Reflection on today's session✨
Today's session was very inspiring and knowledgeable for everyone. In the first session, Jugiv Singh sir had read a book named "The Book To Book Store" in which we have learnt a lot of new words, and also this improved my vocabulary and some English.
In the second session we were having Manisha Khanna ma'am who told us about the "Ruskin Bond" story and the story name was "char pankhudiyan" and also at the beginning of the story we played a short quiz about Ruskin Bond in the quiz she asked us some unique things about Ruskin Bond life and asked the questions related to that and the story was about four friends. At last, Sandeep sir told us very nice and good things, and also motivated us to move forward in our lives. I am really thankful to have this opportunity to have such a great platform for learning new things, to have motivation from all the members of My Good School ๐บ.
I thank Sandeep sir, Jugiv sir and Manisha ma'am for taking today's great session
Both sessions were truly amazing
Thank you ๐
Today’s Good School Session✨
Today's session was truly inspiring and informative. In the first session with Jugjiv Sir, we learned how to pronounce words correctly and use punctuation marks effectively through reading reflections and the book “The Door to Door Bookstore.” This activity significantly improved my vocabulary and communication skills.
The second session with Manisha Ma’am was equally enriching. She read us the story “เคाเคฐ เคชंเคुเคก़िเคฏां” (Four Petals) written by Ruskin Bond. The story revolved around four friends who were mistaken for kidnappers while trying to care for a small child. We also enjoyed an engaging quiz that deepened our understanding of Ruskin Bond’s works. The session was truly interactive and fun.
One key takeaway that resonated with me was the importance of avoiding impulsive decisions, especially when we are emotional. This valuable lesson has left a lasting impact, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to learn.๐ธ
Thank you, Manisha Ma’am and Jugjiv Sir, for such a thought-provoking session.๐ซ
Today’s Good School Alliance Session✨
Today's Good School Alliance session was truly phenomenal and left an indelible mark on my learning journey. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Jugjiv Sir for his engaging and thought-provoking presentation.
The story he shared was captivating, and the interactive discussion that followed was incredibly enriching. It not only enhanced my comprehension skills but also encouraged me to think critically and express my thoughts confidently.
What struck me most was the emphasis on the importance of regular reading in improving our reading skills and vocabulary. The session was a perfect blend of learning and fun, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.
I’m excited to include reading in my daily routine and look forward to more such sessions that foster growth and development. Thank you to our facilitators for an unforgettable experience! ๐
Today’s Good School Alliance Session
Today’s Good School Alliance session, conducted by Jugjiv Sir and Manisha Ma’am, was truly inspiring and engaging. They read a beautiful story, and we listened attentively. Afterwards, they asked us some thought-provoking questions that encouraged everyone to share their ideas and perspectives.
This activity helped me understand the story more deeply. While listening, I paid close attention to their pronunciation, which helped me improve my own reading and speaking fluency. I also realized how regular reading can strengthen our vocabulary and overall language skills.
Thank you, Ma’am and Sir, for such a wonderful and enriching session! ๐ธ
I also found it fascinating how our culture can shape the way we respond to things, even something as simple as food. One part that stood out to me was the example about deworming horses—it showed how the same word can mean completely different things depending on the context.
Overall, I feel more comfortable now discussing these topics and know it’s okay to ask questions or seek help when I need it.
Good morning & Jai Hind,
The session on puberty and the changes that occur during it was both informative and eye-opening. It provided a safe space to learn and discuss the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during this crucial stage of development. Understanding these changes helps reduce confusion and fear, especially as many young people experience them for the first time.
One key takeaway was learning how puberty can affect friendships. As we grow and change, our interests, moods, and the way we relate to others can shift. Sometimes, friends might grow apart or misunderstand each other due to emotional ups and downs or different paces of development. However, learning about these changes can help us become more patient and understanding with our friends, strengthening those relationships instead of losing them.
The session also helped highlight the importance of emotions during puberty. Emotions can become stronger or more unpredictable due to hormonal changes. Learning to recognize and manage emotions, especially through open communication and self-care, is crucial for maintaining mental well-being. It was helpful to know that feeling overwhelmed or confused at times is completely normal.
I also explored the meaning of happy emotions, such as joy, excitement, and contentment. These emotions are important because they help us build positive relationships, motivate us to achieve goals, and give us a sense of purpose and connection. Understanding that it’s okay to experience a range of emotions, including happy and difficult ones, can make this stage of life easier to handle.
Overall, the session was valuable in helping us understand ourselves and each other better during puberty. It reminded us that we are not alone in our experiences and that emotional and social support are essential during this time of growth.
I was especially glad to witness the enthusiastic involvement of the students throughout the session. It has certainly made it easier for me to approach this sensitive topic with more confidence and clarity in the classroom.
A heartfelt thank you to My Good School for inviting such insightful speakers to address relevant and timely issues.
The session on puberty was very informative and eye-opening. It helped me understand the changes that happen in our body and mind as we grow from children into teenagers. It also taught me the importance of involving an adult whenever we make any important decision.
Overall, the session helped me feel more confident and less awkward about this stage of life. It also taught me to be respectful and understanding toward others who are also going through these changes. I now see puberty not as something to be scared or ashamed of, but as a natural and important step in becoming a responsible and mature individual.
Through the Sunbeam Lens: My Learning and Growth by Manisha Khanna
Reflective questions based on Chapter 4: Great Expectations from The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn:
How does Carl's interaction with the people on his book route reflect his ability to listen, empathise, and respond compassionately?
→ Consider how Carl changes his approach to people and what this says about the importance of listening with understanding rather than judgment.
In this chapter, how do Carl and Schascha begin to build trust and mutual respect? What does this reveal about the importance of patience and open-minded communication in relationships?
→ Consider how interpersonal skills like respect and adaptability influence the growing connection between them.
Reflect on a moment when Carl goes beyond his duty as a book deliverer. How does this act show his growth in compassion and emotional intelligence? How can you apply a similar mindset in your own life?
→ Draw parallels between Carl’s actions and your own experiences with empathy or kindness.
เคिंเคคเคจเคถीเคฒ เคช्เคฐเคถ्เคจ (Reflective Questions) เคกॉ. เค เคจुเคชเคฎ เคธिเคฌ्เคฌเคฒ เคी เคชुเคธ्เคคเค "เค्เคฏा เคเคชเคा เคฌเค्เคा เคฆुเคจिเคฏा เคा เคธाเคฎเคจा เคเคฐเคจे เคे เคฒिเค เคคैเคฏाเคฐ เคนै?" เคे เค เคง्เคฏाเคฏ "เคธंเคตेเคฆเคจा" เคชเคฐ เคเคงाเคฐिเคค, เคนिंเคฆी เคฎें:
เค
เคง्เคฏाเคฏ เคฎें เคตเคฐ्เคฃिเคค เคเคนाเคจी เคฎें เคธंเคตेเคฆเคจा เคा เคต्เคฏเคตเคนाเคฐ เคिเคธ เคช्เคฐเคाเคฐ เคจ เคेเคตเคฒ เคช्เคฐाเคช्เคคเคเคฐ्เคคा เคो เคฌเคฒ्เคि เคฆेเคจे เคตाเคฒे เคो เคญी เคช्เคฐเคญाเคตिเคค เคเคฐเคคा เคนै? เค्เคฏा เคเคชเคे เคीเคตเคจ เคฎें เคเคญी เคเคธा เค
เคจुเคญเคต เคนुเค เคนै เคเคฌ เคเคชเคจे เคเคฐुเคฃा เคฆिเคाเค เคนो เคเคฐ เคเคธเคा เค
เคธเคฐ เคเคนเคฐा เคฎเคนเคธूเคธ เคिเคฏा เคนो?
→ เคตिเคाเคฐ เคเคฐें เคि เคเค เคธเคฐเคฒ เคฆเคฏाเคฒुเคคा เคा เคाเคฐ्เคฏ เคैเคธे เคธंเคฌंเคงों เคฎें เคธเคाเคฐाเคค्เคฎเค เคชเคฐिเคตเคฐ्เคคเคจ เคฒा เคธเคเคคा เคนै।
เคฏเคน เค
เคง्เคฏाเคฏ เคฆूเคธเคฐों เคी เคญाเคตเคจाเคं เคो เคธเคฎเคเคจे เคเคฐ เคช्เคฐเคคिเค्เคฐिเคฏा เคฆेเคจे เคธे เคชเคนเคฒे เคธोเคเคจे เคे เคฎเคนเคค्เคต เคो เคैเคธे เคฆเคฐ्เคถाเคคा เคนै? เคฏเคน เคीเคตเคจ เคी เคเค िเคจाเคเคฏों เคธे เคจिเคชเคเคจे เคฎें เคैเคธे เคธเคนाเคฏเค เคนोเคคा เคนै?
→ เคธोเคें เคि เคैเคธे เคญाเคตเคจाเคค्เคฎเค เคธเคฎเคเคฆाเคฐी เคธंเคเคฐ्เคท เคो เคाเคฒ เคธเคเคคी เคนै เคเคฐ เคตिเคถ्เคตाเคธ เคฌเคจा เคธเคเคคी เคนै।
เคเค เคी เคช्เคฐเคคिเคธ्เคชเคฐ्เคงी เคฆुเคจिเคฏा เคฎें เคฌเค्เคों เคฎें เคธंเคตेเคฆเคจा เคैเคธे เคुเคฃ เคैเคธे เคตिเคเคธिเคค เคिเค เคा เคธเคเคคे เคนैं? เคเคธเคฎें เคชเคฐिเคตाเคฐ, เคตिเคฆ्เคฏाเคฒเคฏ เคเคฐ เคธเคฎाเค เคी เค्เคฏा เคญूเคฎिเคा เคนोเคจी เคाเคนिเค?
→ เค
เคชเคจे เคเคธเคชाเคธ เคे เคตाเคคाเคตเคฐเคฃ เคธे เคोเคก़เคเคฐ เคธोเคें — เคเคนाँ เคเคฐ เคैเคธे เคธंเคตेเคฆเคจा เคो เคฌเคข़ाเคตा เคฆिเคฏा เคा เคธเคเคคा เคนै।
So let us pause, think, and share. Authentic learning begins with reflection.
We invite everyone to reflect on the questions above and share their reflective responses by emailing them to mk@learningforward.org.in.
About the Book- The Door-to-Door Bookstore
Everyone has a book meant just for them...
Carl, 72, may get old, but he still feels young. Every night, he walks around delivering books to his regular customers, always picking the right book for each one based on what they love.
One evening, a curious and lively nine-year-old named Schascha shows up. She insists on tagging along with Carl and even tries to teach him a few things about books.
When Carl's job at the bookstore is at risk, will he and the girl, with her yellow raincoat, be able to save his job and bring back the joy of reading to their little town?
The Door-to-Door Bookstore is a heartwarming story about the importance of friendship, the magic of books, and how reading can bring people together.
In this chapter, Carl, the protagonist, meets a man who embodies what many consider "success"—a wealthy, influential figure who seems to have everything. However, as the protagonist interacts with this man, he realises that despite outward success, he may be missing key elements of personal fulfillment, happiness, and genuine relationships. This causes the protagonist to reflect on his life and what true success means.
Reading aids learning, understanding, creating, inventing, and inspiring. The selection of books paves the way for the journey of learning. Like a loyal companion, a book serves your sad as well as happy emotions, consoles your gloom, and redirects your pessimistic ideas. They entertain with silly anecdotes from someone’s life and fancies of the authors. They are the true reflection of one’s choices, as the one who loses heart likes the autobiographies, a curious one tries to peep in the books as an explorer, and the one in search with a better understanding sits among the wisdom of great thinkers and reads different views on the same ideas. The books that mirror the efforts of one govern the achievements of someone else, whereas some books pour out the hearts of those who want others to imitate their ideas. Most importantly, the significance of books lies in the choices made by the readers. It is rightly called reflection because the book one reads reflects his thoughts. They magnify the reader’s ideologies. The rhymes of a poet or themes of any author take space in the thoughts, beliefs, and even words of the readers. Think of a polyglot who excels in languages with books or a student who studies the concepts with his teacher’s directions but expresses them with his reflections. Each edition of a book tells a story of the reader whose reflections defined it again.
WRITER VS
READERS
A character of a story remains an immersive experience for its readers. Through the insights of his life, he revives the reflections of the readers. Happiness, sorrow, excitement, or anxiety are the emotions beyond the interest of the reader. Is it what the writer wants its readers to do? Or is it a reader’s choice? Ironically, it’s something that wasn’t and, moreover, can’t be imagined. The writer who fabricates a woof without having experienced it and readers devour it without being one of them. Some of the bitter or best memories gain their vent at a moment in time where the frequency of the reader goes exactly the same as the reader.
What if the reader comes before the writer—the creator of the character? This moment opens another space for them. It’s a beginning to a new journey where the creator rejoices in the praise, appreciation, and liking his character yields, where some new characters come into existence, and where he actually meets his own creation. To a reader, the moment is a completely different place. He who has been struggling with his pain and misery, who has been so excited to find the one with the experiences and ideas akin to him, encounters a reality that’s not true. His acquaintance—the character is merely a fanciful creation. The reader who has already driven out many of his poor thoughts attains a better maturity, turning into a stronger and perfected being.
Artificial Intelligence ๐ค is transforming the world with its smart abilities, from self-driving cars ๐ to virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri ๐️. It learns from data ๐ and makes decisions just like humans, but without emotions. On the other hand, animals ๐พ have a rich inner life filled with emotions, communication, and intelligence. Elephants ๐ mourn their lost ones, dolphins ๐ฌ recognize themselves in mirrors, and dogs ๐ถ express love and loyalty. AI may be powerful, but it cannot feel the warmth of a mother bird ๐️ feeding her chicks. As technology grows, we must respect both intelligence—artificial and natural—to create a balanced world ๐.
Sharing our thoughts through reflection helps us connect with others and grow together ๐ค. When we express our ideas, we not only learn more but also inspire those around us ๐. Reflection allows us to look back, understand our experiences, and shape new perspectives ๐ง . It encourages creativity, critical thinking, and meaningful discussions ๐ฃ️. Just like a mirror reflects our image, our words reflect our thoughts and emotions ๐ช. By sharing reflections, we build a world where knowledge, understanding, and wisdom flow freely ๐✨.
Sunbeam School Lahartara Boarders
Firstly, a relationship is a way through which people or things are connected. People can have relations with family, friends, animals, nature and even things.
The critical elements for a strong and healthy relationship are mutual Respect, Understanding, Communication, Compromise, and Trust. We should first understand the person and respect their opinions; giving them a chance to speak and putting in their shoes is important too.
Being an 11-year-old child, I have never experienced a broken relationship, but let me tell my story with my best friends. My parents and I have lived in Bangalore since my birth. Over there, I met Ridhi and Tanishka on the first day of school. We became best friends. They were kind, affectionate and caring. They would cheer me up when I was not in a good mood.
One day, my father said we had to shift to Hyderabad for his job there. I was distressed to leave my friends and head for a new life. It was tough for me to adjust to the situation because we spent quality time together over weekend outings, playdates, birthday celebrations etc. I also had a good scoop of opportunities to learn activities like art, chess, and karate with my friends at “The Indian Heritage”, an activity centre. I also had a strong connection with nature over there. The weather was cool and pleasant, and the city was wooded and full of greenery.
After relocating to Hyderabad, I took time to accept my new life. Days passed, and it was my friend’s birthday. I was flustered because I wanted to convey my wishes to her. I gathered courage and started texting her anxiously. But to my surprise, she replied immediately, saying she was delighted and missed me. I was pleased and relieved as I thought she might be furious for not being in touch with her. I also texted my other friend. I had a good time talking with my friends. From then onwards, we have been staying in touch regularly. How could I forget such good friends? I am fortunate to reside in a peaceful, green, and safe colony which helped me to acclimate to the new locality and make new friends. Hmm! But I still miss those memorable days and keep recollecting those sweet memories.
Why should we have a relationship? We would be depressed and lonely if we did not have anyone to spend time with. Therefore, try to have more relations as they say, “The More the Merrier”.
Here is a poem in Hindi that says:
This carries a lot of meaning. It says, “If something is broken, then learn to repair it. If someone is angry, then learn to convince and please them. Relationships are destined; just learn to handle them beautifully.” So, make sure you have a solid and good relationship, whether it is a person, animal, nature, or thing.
It's for sure that in life we'll come across many people and with some people we will become very much attached, and we become a support for each other. With time our bond becomes even stronger than before, but a small problem or fight can result in the breakdown of our relationship.
There is a saying that " Don't break the thread of love because it cannot be joined again and even after they are joined a node is left in between".
There is always a cause which leads to the execution of the action and the words we speak, there is always a reason which leads to a breakdown of the relationship, and we must understand the liking and disliking of the other person and avoid all such actions which can affect our bonds. At last, there should be a mutual understanding between the two, and they should have reasonable self-control over themselves, which wouldn't lead to a relationship breakdown.
Understanding is not just about learning but also about living. When others confess their mistakes, lies or problems to us, we often turn a blind eye towards them and do not listen. Still, we need to be humble enough to understand what they are going through, be kind enough to give them a shoulder and be trustworthy sufficient to accept their reality. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. Each person deserves love and affection just the way we do.
Understanding is not a simple task; it requires the power to trust and tolerate and the necessity of being thoughtful while observing the simplicity at the heart of the matter and eventually giving in honestly to love. If we can understand, then we can trust. If we can understand, then we can be patient; if we can understand, we can tolerate and understand; only we can love.
At My Good School, understanding is experienced at its core. We initially listen to each other and then begin to understand one another. This is followed by a bond of trust, tolerance and humility, and as time passes, we begin to treasure the standard tie of love that connects us all. Understanding is the foundation stone for building upon the structure of love.
In the Mahabharata, an incident occurred during the Gurukul days of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Guru Dronacharya, the teacher of the princes, had to leave the gurukul for a fortnight due to some urgent work; hence, he had called upon all his pupils and asked them to complete their lessons by the time he returned. All students finished their work and did some extra tasks as well. Guru Dronacharya returned after a fortnight and called his pupils to the classroom; one by one, he individually asked them to come forward and inform him how many lessons they had completed while he was away.
Someone said three, someone else four, others 5 and so on; the teacher beamed at his students as he looked at them with love. At last, he called Yudhishthira, the eldest son of the Pandavas, and Guru Dronacharya was sure that Yudhishthira would have done more lessons than everyone else. However, when asked the question, he answered that he had only done one sentence. The teacher was shocked and yelled at him that in a fortnight, he could only do one sentence; Yudhishthira apologised but repeated that he could only understand that sentence. The other pupils were shocked as they saw their Guru mercilessly scolding Yudhishthira. However, he stayed rooted in his words. At the end of it, when Guru Dronacharya finally asked him what the sentence was, he confidently replied, “Control your anger and Guru ji, it took me 15 days to learn how to control my anger, so I could only complete one sentence.” Guru Dronacharya stood in awe and appreciated Yudhishthira, for he had understood the power of understanding, an ability not yet attained by many of us.
Anvesha Rana
Grade 11
Gyanshree School
Understanding someone inculcates one of the prettiest feelings in our hearts, feelings of concern, love and kindness, which make humans human. Understanding strengthens unity. We should all try to understand each other’s feelings at the very least instead of poking fun at each other for that or making judgements about them.