Thoughts Left Unheard:Pages From a Diary of a Book - Rishona Chopra

I spend my days sitting on an old dusty bookshelf in a bookshop watching readers go past me without even looking in my direction. Sure, my pages are now yellow and crinkly. The stories are now old and forgotten but do people really have to ignore me? I’m just as pretty as the latest edition of a magazine. Don’t those humans always look for something vintage? Everyone has time for the diary of anne-frank, and good old Shakespere, but no one seems to care about me. Yes, Anne was a sweet little girl but I know someone who’s even sweeter-me!

Today is officially the 105th day that no one looked at me. That no one picked me up and held me in their arms and skipped past the pages. No one put me by their bedside so I would be the first thing they see in the morning. I haven’t had a new home in forever. I miss being loved. I miss being that one book that people would always show to their friends. Those posh modern novels get it all. They have the same old story yet people go mad after them. No one seems to realise that the real treasure has been sitting here, right here, in aisle four of this bookshop.

I’ve put my hopes up for too long. How monotonous life has become! No excitement, no thrill. Just because I’m a little older than the rest doesn’t mean I don’t long for the adventure. I yearn for it more than I ever did.

I dream of the day someone would care enough to at least acknowledge my presence, that would suffice. I hope I’d get a home, where I’d be more than just a book on a shelf. I’ll be part of someone’s story, someone’s life and that would be the biggest gift of all.

But in the end, life is a journey. We need to face it, even if there are times I feel lonely, even if there are times I feel overwhelmed, it’s okay. Because this too shall pass. 

~Book Thoughts of a book voiced by Rishona Chopra, Grade IX, Gyanshree School

My Good School, Sunday the 8th June 2025

Watch a recording of the session on YouTube

https://youtu.be/MyGoodSchool

Critical thinking question. 

Focus on values such as kindness, uncertainty, responsibility, fairness, and choice.

🌱 1. The Umbrella and the Smile

 Anaya gave an extra umbrella to an old woman in the rain. She felt good but worried, "What if I need it later?"

अनाया ने बारिश में अपनी एक अतिरिक्त छतरी एक बुज़ुर्ग महिला को दे दी। उसे अच्छा लगा, लेकिन सोचा, "अगर बाद में मुझे इसकी ज़रूरत पड़ी तो?"

Q: Why do you think people help others even when they're unsure about the future?

प्रश्न: लोग दूसरों की मदद क्यों करते हैं, जब वे भविष्य को लेकर अनिश्चित होते हैं?

🧃 2. The Last Juice Box

 Aarav had only one juice box in his bag. His friend was tired and thirsty, so Aarav gave it to him.

आरव के पास बैग में केवल एक जूस था। उसका दोस्त थका हुआ था और प्यासा भी, इसलिए आरव ने उसे दे दिया।

Q: Was Aarav’s choice wise? Why or why not?

प्रश्न: क्या आरव का निर्णय सही था? क्यों या क्यों नहीं?

⏰ 3. The Group Project

Riya did all the work for the group project because her teammates didn't help. They all got the same grade.

रिया ने ग्रुप प्रोजेक्ट का सारा काम अकेले किया क्योंकि उसके साथी मदद नहीं कर रहे थे। फिर भी सभी को समान अंक मिले।

Q: Do you think it's fair when everyone gets credit for one person's effort?

प्रश्न: जब एक व्यक्ति का काम सबको समान रूप से सराहा जाता है, तो क्या यह उचित है?

💧 4. The Forgotten Bottle

 Rahul forgot his water bottle. His classmate offered to share, even though she had little left.

 राहुल अपनी पानी की बोतल भूल गया। उसकी सहपाठी ने थोड़ा ही पानी होने पर भी उसे साझा किया।

Q: What does this tell you about sharing during difficult times?

प्रश्न: यह कठिन समय में साझा करने के बारे में आपको क्या सिखाता है?

🖍️ 5. The Broken Crayon

Meera accidentally broke another student's crayon. She felt bad and gave her a replacement crayon.

मीरा ने गलती से किसी और की क्रेयॉन तोड़ दी। उसे बुरा लगा और उसने अपनी क्रेयॉन उसे दे दी।

Q: Why is it important to take responsibility for our mistakes?

प्रश्न: अपनी गलती की जिम्मेदारी लेना क्यों ज़रूरी है?

🕊️ 6. The Bird on the Window

A bird sat quietly on the classroom window. Everyone wanted to scare it away, but Ishaan said, "Let's just watch it."

एक चिड़िया चुपचाप कक्षा की खिड़की पर बैठी थी। सब उसे उड़ाना चाहते थे, लेकिन ईशान ने कहा, "आओ, बस इसे देखें।"

Q: What does this moment teach us about patience and respect for life?

प्रश्न: यह पल हमें धैर्य और जीवन के प्रति सम्मान के बारे में क्या सिखाता है?

Shining Through: Sunbeam School Lahartara

 

Through the Sunbeam Lens: My Learning and Growth by Manisha Khanna 

Learning doesn't end when the lesson is over—it continues when we take a moment to pause and reflect. At Sunbeam School, reflection has become a powerful tool in helping us connect with what we've learned, how we've learned, and who we've become through the process. By reflecting on our past experiences, successes, and even failures, we gain clarity, insight, and direction for the future. Reflection allows us to understand not just the what, but the why behind our learning. It turns information into wisdom and routine into purpose. Whether it's a class project, a group activity, or a personal challenge, reflecting helps us recognise our growth and identify where we can improve. In doing so, we become more mindful learners—more thoughtful, confident, and self-aware.