How did it feel to be found again after being lost? - Tenzing Dhekyong N

This incident took place when I was just six years old. I went on a trip with my grandpa and granny to Bodh Gaya, Bihar. My grandpa made a plan and told my grandmother and me to visit the temple. Meanwhile, he would buy some presents for the monks. So when we reached the temple, my granny was super excited and was having an intense conversation with nuns about his holiness that she even forgot I was there with her.

I got really bored looking at the trees and flowers; at that moment, I noticed some children playing Kho-kho together, so I joined them. I didn't know I was lost until they announced that the temple would be closed. I searched for my granny, but I didn't get her. I cried and shouted for help, and one of my friends came and motivated me. Thankfully, after calling for a long time, we noticed one police uncle was there standing. We ran around for help and told him that I was lost. He took me to a child centre and announced about me. After waiting thirty minutes with my tiny little friend, my granny and my grandpa hugged me. I could see those tears in their eyes. They explained everything about this to the police uncle. I saw one aunty running towards the centre and saying that her daughter was lost, and at last, my little friend was only her daughter.

The police uncle was delighted to see that I had helped one girl (who was playing with me) because she was also lost and was very afraid of telling anyone. I got my granny and grandpa; she has also found her mommy in the child centre. Aunty thanked me and praised me. And it was time to say goodbye to each other. Even though I got honoured by someone, I got a scolding from my nana and Nani because "GRANDPARENTS ARE ALWAYS GRANDPARENTS 💗".

Tenzing Dhekyong N
Sun, 20 Nov, 15:26 
Pestalozzi Children's Village

The darkest hour of the day - Vani Pandey

It was the 31st of October and the darkest hour of the day. My parents were out, and I was alone at home. It wasn't the first time I had been like this. This was about the hundredth time I had been all alone. I wasn't afraid, for all I could think was how to paint the wall in my room. It was huge, and it was a giant project for me. I was all blank for inspiration. 

" Hmm... What about a giant rainbow and a few of my original made characters in it? Or... What about a beautiful seascape? 

That was my mind, all messed up and out of place. Suddenly, I heard a whistle. Maybe it was the wind, or was it, someone? It came from the dark and blank lobby. Did I dare to go there? Well, no. I stayed where I was. And then went to see whether there was a wind blowing. There was a slight breeze, but it couldn't be the wind whistle. But I made up my mind and got back to work. Then again, I heard a whistle. But this time, it was more of a faint cry. My body got cold for a second. It was 11 at night, and a muffled cry was haunting me. I got hold of all the confidence I had and walked into the lobby. I switched on the light, and all I could see was the living room, well set and no one. As soon as I was returning to my room, I heard a whistle and a cry at the same time again! But this time, it came from the abandoned room in the corner. I, in fact, no one had been in there for a long while. We used it as a storeroom for our old things.

I entered and followed the cry. It was coming from a cardboard box. It said- 'Old toys'. I opened it and found a doll. And then, I remembered that it was a haunted doll my brother got me on Halloween. I saw that the button, somehow, got switched on, and it was making all that noise. I switched it off and closed the door. And by then, my parents had come back. The best part was that it was all over, but I still didn't understand how the doll's button got switched on. But as it is said- " Some things should be left as a mystery."

Vani Pandey Class- 8th:C Gyanshree School Noida

Why fit in when I can stand out? - Rishona Chopra

We have grown up with values and are taught to be kind to everyone around us. But we often exhibit the behaviour of dependency – we are nice to people only when they are nice to us. 

If they behave wrongly with us in small or big ways, we feel an impulse to strike back in the name of tit for tat or an eye for an eye. We copy people's wrong behaviours and give up our inherent goodness. From today, start living by your value compass, no matter what. 

Holding on to your qualities when tempted to copy others' wrong behaviour increases your inner power. Remind yourself – "Irrespective of my environment and people, I use my original qualities in every situation. Irrespective of the other's behaviour, I am caring and kind to them.

Unique the way I am,
That's how I stand.
With all my values and principles in place,
I will always stay at my own pace!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

The Wonders Of The World - Rishona Chopra

Are you thinking I'm talking about the 7 wonders of the world? No, not that; I am talking about each of those miracles that we encounter in our lives every day. 

Do you wonder where the beliefs gathered along life's journey have come from? Whatever you believe about happiness, love, respect, anger or stress is mainly thrust on you based on your social conditioning. Have you paused to evaluate them, accept what is right and discard any limiting beliefs?

Do you wonder why you were born? Do you wonder why the world is there? Do you know why it is such that as it is? Well, to all these questions, there is only one answer - that it is a miracle to wonder about.

Talking about wonders, I thought of the word "wander". Does it relate? Can we wander in our wonder? Yes, we do; with all these thoughts in our minds and all things happening, we always try to find a logical reason, get lost in our world, and start wandering. 

But let me tell you a secret - The fact that I am alive and healthy today is simply an incredible miracle.

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Why Reading Aloud Never Gets Old - Edutopia

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Education - Reveda Bhatt

Education! First, they ask what it is? Then they don't let you have your own definition!

Warning: *CHOKING HAZARD* Contains I.C.S.E. - keep out of reach of kids studying elsewhere.

We should have gotten that, but sorry, here in India, you don't have a choice but to mug the syllabus up!

How do we do it? Does it remind you of something?

It reminds me of Doraemon's gadget - the one just eating the bread; you could learn the whole thing from your book. Doesn't exist, but if it did, the top purchasers would be the children of Indian schools.

Okay, so I personally don't like the system here. It's like you have to scan all that's printed in your books and make a photocopy of it on your exam sheet! Doesn't matter if even it's the last thing you would need in your life. You need to learn all about it.

If you want to become a doctor, you should know the depth of the core beneath the surface.

To become a geologist, you should know the names of the human body's bones.

Does it make any sense? No, right?

But according to our education system, it does. In fact, that's the motive to feed you every baseless knowledge that would help you anywhere in your life!

THEY DON'T KNOW THE FACT THAT FOR EVERY LITTLE THING WE FIT IN OUR BRAIN, ANY AND EVERY USEFUL THING GOES OUT, out in the sense-sinks in into this heap!

Literally, there is no experiential learning. I doubt they even know of that word! L.O.L.! All they do is supply each child with a box to fill in with dead warriors, articles and other things, and by the time you pick out useful stuff, your bag is complete!

Keeping us in a box like that serves no purpose but forces us to enter the class and just wait around the clock for the bell to ring!

Trin Trin!

Reveda Bhatt
Grade 9
The Aryan School

Celebrating the Journey - one year at My Good School

One year ago, I got a call which said an Internship was being offered by My Good School.  

I was excited and nervous, but as time passed, I settled there, or you can say I now have a family here!

In a family where everyone is a good learner, and all accept each other as they are, The best part is we all learn from each other irrespective of our age, place or class. The priority is that learning comes first. We know, excel, collaborate at every moment, and find joy at every flash.

There is no point on the geographical map where we met or collaborated. The bond, love and corporation we have are better than other "offices" (We also have an office National Office), and we collaborate there.

Learning from books is present over there, but I have learned from people you can call "learning by collaboration" I learn from every personality there Anvesha, Arav, Reveda, Rishona, Simar and many more. We also have mentors. They are not like any other one who makes the path or creates the boundaries to explore. We create the way, and we create our own exploring areas. They are just there and observe us.

I can't count when I completed one year, but the journey had to put a mark. I hope the journey continues, and I will be part.

Thanks to Mr Sandeep, Ms Rajeshree, Ms Sukpreet and the family of My Good School for always being there and making the journey remarkable.

Viva La My Good School!

Kunal Rajpurohit
The Fabindia School
Village & PO Bali
Dist Pali, Rajasthan
India