A Meaningful Sunday Reading Session - Sunbeam School, Ballia

Today's session of My Good School was very insightful and engaging. Jugjiv Singh Sir read the story What You Are Looking For Is in the Library. The story revolved around Natsumi, a working mother who was struggling to balance childcare, household responsibilities, and her career. When her daughter, Futaba, fell ill with a fever, it became even more challenging for Natsumi to manage everything on her own. She often had to sacrifice her own needs while caring for her family.

The story highlighted the issue of unequal sharing of responsibilities within a family. Natsumi reminded her husband, Shuji, that they had promised to raise their child together, but he remained largely focused on his work. During an argument between them, Futaba overheard their conversation, which made Natsumi feel deeply guilty. She hugged her daughter and realised that none of the difficulties was her child's fault.

Later, Natsumi had lunch with her colleague, Madam Mizue. Their conversation helped her feel lighter and more hopeful. Madam Mizue's words, “The playground is big, have fun,” remained in Natsumi's mind and encouraged her to view life from a more positive perspective.

Through this story, we learned the importance of support, understanding, shared responsibilities, and hope during difficult times. Overall, the session was meaningful and inspiring, offering valuable lessons about empathy, family relationships, and maintaining a positive outlook in challenging situations.

– Ishika Singh, X-B

In today's session, we first discussed the book What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, which was read by Jugjiv Singh Sir. The story focused on Natsumi, a working mother who was struggling to balance childcare and her career. When her daughter, Futaba, developed a fever, Natsumi became even more stressed as she was managing everything on her own and carrying the major responsibility of caring for her family.

As the story progressed, Natsumi reminded her husband, Shuji, of their promise to raise their daughter together. However, he remained largely occupied with his work. During an argument between them, Futaba overheard their conversation, which made Natsumi feel deeply guilty. Realising her daughter's emotional distress, she hugged Futaba and reflected on the situation.

Later, Natsumi had a meal with her colleague, Madam Mizue. Their conversation brought her comfort and encouragement. Madam Mizue's words were so meaningful and inspiring that Natsumi carried them in her heart and began to view her circumstances more positively.

The story taught us valuable lessons about empathy, trust, shared responsibilities, and maintaining hope during challenging situations.

Thank you.

- Talat Bano

Learning Through Literature: Reflections on Nature, Empathy, and Personal Growth -Ms. Rekha Sharma

The book reading sessions of My Family and Other Animals with Brinda Ma’am and शामली में ठहरा वक़्त और अन्य कहानियाँ with Manisha Ma’am were highly engaging and intellectually enriching.

My Family and Other Animals introduced me to a world where curiosity, observation, and a deep connection with nature become important sources of learning. Gerald Durrell’s experiences demonstrate how children learn best when they are encouraged to explore their surroundings and develop a sense of wonder about the natural world. The book highlights the value of experiential learning, observation, and respect for all living beings, reminding teachers that education extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms. The work is widely recognised for its celebration of nature, childhood curiosity, and learning through real-life experiences. The reading from शामली में ठहरा वक़्त और अन्य कहानियाँ offered a different yet equally meaningful perspective. From the excerpts shared, the narrative reflects the complexities of human emotions, personal responsibilities, and the difficult choices individuals face as they balance professional commitments with family obligations. The protagonist’s inner conflict over caring for a child prompted me to reflect on empathy, accountability, and the importance of human relationships. As a teacher, I felt that such stories help readers understand real-life situations, develop emotional intelligence, and appreciate the moral dimensions of everyday decisions. Literature of this kind encourages self-reflection and nurtures sensitivity toward others.

Overall, both sessions reinforced my belief that reading literature is a powerful educational experience. While one book inspired curiosity, environmental awareness, and a love for learning, the other deepened my understanding of human emotions and social responsibilities. As a teacher, I found these readings particularly valuable because they promote critical thinking, empathy, and holistic development. They reminded me that good literature not only informs but also shapes attitudes, values, and perspectives, making it an essential tool for meaningful learning and personal growth.

Regards,

Ms. Rekha Sharma

Teacher

Sunbeam School, Mau