One kind word can warm three winter months - Tenzin Jambey

Picture Courtesy: https://pepperdine-graphic.com/opinion-give-kindness-more-often/

The proverb- 'One kind word can warm three winter months' means that one kind word can make people feel good in their sufferings. In other words, our kind words and works have had a good effect on people for a very long time.

Doing kind work is neither easy nor difficult. It's just a simple act everyone must practice to promote peace among the living beings on earth. All people have their definition of the word - 'kindness', and therefore I have my definition of it too.

According to me, 'Kindness doesn't mean donating and helping poor and needy people'. If this act was to be called an act of kindness, then some people do these things to win the vote during the election. And after being elected, their words, kind work and promises to vanish into the air like the air itself. 

I also want to bring up the act of some rich people who donate money to charity unwillingly to reduce the tax from the government. Therefore, I believe that the act of kindness must come, and it must come from deep within your heart by forgetting about your wealth and asset.

I remember a line in the poem, 'The Heart Of Tree', where it tells that a kind man plants a tree to serve future generations. He knows that he won't be able to enjoy the fruits of that tree, but still, he will have the satisfaction - that someday this tree will be helping people improve fresh air to breathe.

Many people speak about peace and kindness, but a few follow it. And I agree that only speaking is not enough. We must act upon our saying as we all know that - 'Action speaks louder than words'.

Some people don't understand the words of love to whom we refer as 'Rod is the only logic of fools'. If all the people were to follow the saying, there would have been no jail or prison. It indicates that saying alone is not stable enough to bring up a change. 

It's the truth, which I will highlight since now we remember the people who speak well about us and praise us only for a few days. But the people who show their kindness and help us to make our life better and more peaceful are remembered for years and years. It's so true that the praise and lovely, heartful words vanish into the air like changing seasons, but the kind act shows its effect for a very long time, like the climate.

Most people forget kind words, but kind work can last for years. And people remember you for your contribution like we remember Mahatma Gandhi for his act of promoting peace. We Pestalozzians remember Sir Johan Henrich Pestalozzi every year for his kindness and loving act that he practised till his last breath.

'A kind word can warm three winter months, but an act of kindness can give warmth for centuries'.

Tenzin Jambey

Pestalozzi Children's Village, India.

One kind word can do a lot - Aria Gupta

Picture Courtesy: https://janbeek.blog/2019/11/16/one-kind-word/

There was a beggar who lived on the streets of Gronwice City. He always wanted to start a business of his own, but never believed he could do it at such a low position with no money. Life just went by as normal, people gave him a few pennies, out of which he bought some food and slept on the streets.

One day, a woman came by. And she stared at him for a while. The woman approached him and asked, “What do you want to become?”. “I know it seems stupid, but I want to start my own business,” he replied. “I’m Enara Jain, and I work at the Poltine Charity. Get up, let’s take you to my office.” The beggar, baffled, followed her to her car, and went on a ride.

He soon realised that this was no ordinary charity at all. “So you wanna become a businessman, huh?” she asked. “Yes, it’s a stupid thing to think of, but I still dream of it”, he replied. “What if I told you that you could become one?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “I would love to, but it’s just out of my reach.” replied the beggar.

They soon reached Enara’s office. It was the first time he sat on a proper couch in years. It was a strange feeling. He wasn’t used to the comfortable environment. Then Enara, offering him a glass of water, sat in front of him and asked a few questions as if she was taking his interview. The beggar was quite nervous while answering those questions.

The last question was “Do you believe that you can become a founder and start a business?”. It was the question that scared the beggar the most. “Ummmm… I don’t think I can.” was his reply. “After that, Enara went somewhere. She soon came back, smiling while carrying a cheque. “We’ll be donating 10,00,00,000 Rupees to you, Mr…?”. “Jones,” replied the beggar, delighted about the fact that he was finally about to have some money in his bank account.

“Let me tell you one thing, which is that you can become an entrepreneur. If you save this money, you can surely become one”, said Enara. Mr Jones thought for a while, thinking about what to do with this money. He decided to spend some money and save some money.

10 years later, the fashion company 'Swaniskin' was more successful than ever. The beggar, now one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world, was happy that he was able to work hard to achieve his dream. His rags-to-riches story is one of the most inspiring things in the world.

*(Note: None of these people, places, companies, etc are real)

Aria Gupta

Grade VI || Gyanshree School

Fall to a new life - Aati Pema Tseagon

Picture Courtesy: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/AauyxzXZpvdywUpwLlxqKvXBDcUltP2AVoiEG2mXDCRrU0Fqif6MyM8/

As I sank, my consciousness was brought by the most suffocating sensation I had ever felt. In a sudden rush to breathe, I took a big gulp of water. My body racked with a cough, but I forced my mouth shut. When I noticed my hands and legs were tied, a surge of fear took over my body. I limped myself to stand upright. My whole body was in torturous pain. My lungs felt as if they were about to implode. 

At that time, a single thought came to me to jump. That was more of an instinct. I gathered all the strength I had and threw myself upwards.

For a moment, my head splashed out. And I noticed the light, but as soon as I was exposed, I lost control over my cough. And now I came raging, not letting me breathe. My many attempts only brought more panic and water. Both of which I did not want. 

I felt that I was sinking, unable to thrust my tied appendages. As a last-ditch effort, I held my breath and laid still. That was all I knew, which thankfully made me afloat and alive. My heart was racing. My lungs were exhausted from holding my breath. I carefully let out my breath and inhaled one in. And finally, I felt some relief. 

I saw that the light I had seen was coming from a wide-open crack which was only a few ways too far from where I was. My hands and legs tired and tied were of no use. But the little movements which I could do were enough to propel myself. The light helped me to see as it reflected against the cement walls of this place.

I noticed a few sticks floating around. Most of them were new and seemed sturdy. I saw one right next to my hand but was unable to grab it. I thought of an idea. And with a bit of insecurity in my plan, I rolled. Sinking my face in the water, I began fumbling with my hand to locate the stick. In a few attempts, I got the wooden stick. I pricked my palm when I did get a good grip, but it was good to feel that it had some edges. 

I began breaking the bonds, string by string. I made progress and finally cut enough to break through the rest. 

As my hands got free, I began breaking the ropes tied to my ankles at once while trying to stay afloat when I remembered that I was not alone. When I lost consciousness, I was with my cousin!...(to be continued...)

Aati Pema Tseagon

Pestalozzi Children's Village, India.