Sloka – Omkaram Bindu

Story

The Truth About God – God is all pervading (can be done as activity)

Once the great sage UDDALAKA Aruni wanted to teach the knowledge of the Brahman to his son Shvetaketu. He thought of a simple device. He pointed out a big banyan tree nearby and asked his son to bring a ripe fruit from that tree. When he brought the small red berry-like fruit, he told his son, “Split it into two, dear child.”

“Here you are, I have split it into two.”

“What do you find there?

“Innumerable tiny seeds of course, and what else can these be?”

“Well, take one of those tiny seeds and split it again.”

“Yes, here it is, I have split a seed.”

“What do you find there?”

“Why, nothing at all.”

“Oh, dear child! This big tree cannot come out of nothing. Only you cannot see that subtle nothing in the seed from which springs forth this mighty tree. This is the power that is the spirit unseen which pervades everywhere and in everything. Have faith. It is that spirit which is at the root of all existence, that thou art O Shvetaketu.”

“This is something very baffling, father. But how on earth can I realize it, even if I merely know it?”

Uddalaka said,” Just do one thing. Take a few crystals of salt and put them into a bowl of water while you go to sleep and bring it on to me in the morning.”

The obedient son did as he was told and on the next morning, took the bowl to his father.

The father said,” Dear son, take out the salt please.”

Shvetaketu felt exasperated and said,” Father, What do you mean? How is it possible to take out that salt?”

“All right, then just taste the water on the surface. How does it taste?”

“It is saltish and is bound to be so.”

“Take the water from the middle and bottom of the bowl and tell me how it taste.”

“Well that too is saltish and is bound to be so.”

“My dear child, do understand now that the Spirit I spoke of, pervades all existence like the salt in this water in the bowl. This is the subtle spirit.”

“That thou art, dear Shvetaketu!”

“Dear father, how to go about all this? It looks so simple and yet is so very difficult.”

Uddalaka said. “Now I shall tell you how to go about trying to realize the spirit. Suppose we blindfold a man and lead him into an unknown forest away from his usual residence, what would he do? How would he try to find his home? As soon as he is left to himself, he would just remove the cover from his eyes.

Then he would wander about enquiring for the region from which he was taken away. He would go from village to village and ultimately he would come across someone who would lead him in the right direction. Thus he would reach his home. That is the way to find out the spiritual home from which we have all strayed into the wilderness. The Spirit is the one reality towards which we all have to direct our steps.

Story

Weakness or Strength

Sometimes our biggest weakness can become our biggest strength. Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese Judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know.” – the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

“No,” the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.”

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

“Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”

The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength. Sometimes our biggest weakness can become our biggest strength. ~ Get Inspired ~ Inspire others ~ Share with loved ones

Story

A True Piligrim – Sant Eknath’s offering to a Donkey

Once upon a time a group of saints were carrying the pious water of the river Ganga from Prayag in north India, to offer to Lord Shiva at Rameshwaram in the South. It was a long and arduous journey.Saint Eknath was with them.When they were crossing a vast desert, they saw a donkey dying of thirst. Saint Eknath immediately offered his water to the donkey and saved his life.The other saints in the group were furious, and considered it an insult to the Lord Shiva, Since the water meant for offering to the God had been wasted on a donkey.Saint Eknath explained his act very calmly, “O wise men, you have read again and again in the holy books that God is everywhere.Then, why are you so upset? Any thing that is not utilized at the right moment is useless. The water that this dying donkey drank has reached straight to Lord Shiva in Rameshwaram!”

Story

Make someone happy

A 9 Year Boy went to an ICE CREAM shop .

Waiter :- What do you want?

Boy :- How much a CONE ICE CREAM costs ?

Waiter :- Rs.15/-

Then the BOY checked his pocket & asked cost of small cone ?

Irritated Waiter angrily said :- Rs.12/-

Boy ordered a small cone, had it, paid bill & left.

When the waiter came to pick the EMPTY PLATE tears rolled down from his eyes.

The boy had left Rs.3 as Tip for him.

“MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY WITH SOMETHING YOU HAVE”.

That’s Life

Game

The Good Samaritan- Mime game

• Make chits with phrases like
• I am shivering
• I am blind and want to cross the road
• I am hungry
• I am thirsty
• I am limping
• I have a headache
• Put these chits in a bowl. A child picks up one chit and acts that out.
• Another child whom the teacher selects has to become the Good Samaritan and mime how he will help
  the person in need

How can you be kind at home? Being respectful and helpful to your parents and elders, loving to your brothers and sisters,

You can be kind at school by being obedient, helpful and attentive to your teachers, by being friendly with your classmates.

You can be kind to animals and plants in many ways like petting and feeding animals, planting saplings and watering plants, making a bird bath and table to feed birds.

Story

The Prophet’s love

Every morning a spiteful woman used to throw garbage from her house on Prophet Mohammed as he passed by. The Prophet would go by without any reaction. She did this for many days.

One day, as he went past, the garbage did not come down on him as it usually did. He was worried about this. He went into the house from where the rubbish used to be thrown at him. He found a woman lying alone. She was very ill. He fetched a doctor at once. He helped her sit up and receive the doctor’s treatment. She bowed to him and wept, begging for forgiveness. His kindness to her in return for her daily insults changed her completely. This is the power of kindness. It can make a person your best friend.

Who are neighbours? Neighbours are those who live near you. Next to your family it is your neighbours who areclosest to you. Love your neighbours also.

Learn to love the children living nearby. Respect elders who are your neighbours. Be kind and helpful to neighbours.

Do not disturb elders. They need rest and quiet. Never write on your neighbours’ walls, throw things into their houses or pluck flowers from their garden. Remember they love their homes as much as you love yours.

Song

Love your neighbour (tune – old mcdonald had a farm… )

I live in a colony E I E I O
We Love all our neighbours E I E I O
With a love-love here, and a love-love there
Here a love, there a love, everywhere love-love
I live in a colony E I E I O
I love to play with all the kids E I E I O
With a play-play here, and a play-play there
Here a play, there a play, everywhere play-play
I live in a colony E I E I O
Proceed with the following:
I help everybody there
I respect the elders there
I share my things with everyone
I am kind to everyone
I care for everyone
I thank those who help me

Game

• Say your neighbour’s name with adjective

Does anyone like to be ill? A lot of illness and pain can be avoided if we practice a few simple things. Healthy living includes four main things – a clean body, good food, good habits, a clean mind

Game for clean body

Answer honestly Yes / No

• Do you brush your teeth as soon as you wake up? Even before you drink anything?
• Do you clean your ears and the back of your neck when you bathe every morning?
• Look at your nails. Are they short and clean?
• Do you wash your hands before each meal?
• Look at yourself now? Are your uniforms and shoes clean?
• Do you eat at least one fruit daily?
• Do you eat some fresh vegetables every day?
• Do you play outdoors for some time every day?
• Do you spend some time at home with your school books every day?
• Do you smile or laugh a lot?
• Do you pray at least once a day?
• Do you always try to speak truth?

Quiz on vegetables and fruits

• Name a fruit that starts with A, red in colour & white inside – Apple
• Name a long thin fruit that starts with B – Banana
• Name a long thin vegetable that starts with C – Carrot
• Name a vegetable that is green on the outside and white inside (used in salads) starts with C –cucumber
• Name a sweet fruit that grows in bunches in vines. It starts with G – grapes
• Name a sour yellow fruit that starts with L –lemon
• Name a tiny ,round,green vegetable . it starts with P – peas
• Name a vegetable that is brown outside and white inside. It grows underground and liked by children – Potato
• Name a sweet red fruit. It starts with S – strawberry
• Name a soft red fruit. It is used like a vegetable. It starts with T – tomato

All habits relating to health.

Sloka

Food Prayer

Harir data Harir Bhoktaa, harir annam Prajapathi
Harir vipra Sharirasthu, bhoonkte bhojayate Hari.

Story

Veggie vengeance

There once lived a small princess but she was a fussy eater. “I hate vegetables so I won’t eat them!” she cried out every time salads and vegetables were served in her plate and she pushed the plate away. Her mother tried to change her food habits but could not succeed.

One night the princess slept but cauliflower could not. He was a big, healthy vegetable with large green leaves adorning his head and he lived in the larder of the palace kitchen. That night he was seething!

“I hate the princess! She always complains about us! I’ve got to teach her a lesson!” he cried out angrily.

Cauliflower found Bean beside him and nudged him awake. “Hey, Green Bean get up!” he shouted. Lean Bean jumped up with a start. “What’s up”, he murmured sleepily. “Go wake the other vegetables up!” ordered Cauliflower. We have some important work to do!” Bean briskly went about his task and found Potato in a basket and he woke him up along with White radish, his neighbour.

“Get up! Get up, sleepy heads! Yelled Green Bean and the noise woke Lady’s Finger and Spinach up. “What are you shouting for? Go away! Screamed Spinach but Bean appeased him by saying, “You have got to get up, friends. We will all run away.!”

Suddenly there was a flutter and a little fairy came flying into the kitchen through the open window.

“I can help you veggies,” said the little fairy and she took out a glistening scarf and turned it around thrice. And lo! The vegetables got a pair of wings each and they flew out of the palace towards a faraway mountain. They got into a cave and hid themselves.

The next morning the princess came down for breakfast and was surprised to see only rotis. There was no salad and vegetables in her plate. “I’m so happy there are no vegetables on my plate today. How come you haven’t given me any, mother?” she asked.

But there aren’t any vegetables in the larder. They’ve all disappeared sighed the queen. During lunch and dinner, the princess did not eat vegetables either and this continued for many more days until one morning the princess fell ill.

“What’s wrong with me?” she cried out in bewilderment.

“I’ll tell you what’s wrong!” said the mother, “You are becoming weak because you’re not eating vegetables! They are good sources of nutrients for your body.”

“I want to eat them mother!” moaned the princess. “Where are they?”

“I’m afraid they’ve all run away!” sighed the queen.

“Then call them back, mother, please!”cried the princess.

“But how?” asked the queen.

Suddenly there was a flutter of wings and the little fairy flew in through the window and whispered, “Relish your vegetables princess, and they will surely return! They all understand the language of love!”

“I’ll certainly do that for I now know how important they are for me. I’ll never curse them again. It’s a promise.”

The fairy took out her scarf and turned it around thrice. And lo! The vegetables came flying back into the palace and got into the larder never to go out again.

“Thank you veggies, you truly are important for me, for without you all, how can I ever grow up to become a queen?”

And from that day on, many healthy vegetables found themselves on the princess’s plate and were eaten by her with great regard and relish.

Song

on fruit and vegetable (tune – old Mcdonald had a farm..)

Vegetables are good for me EEIEEIO
And so I eat them happily EEIEEIO
With a carrot here, and a carrot there
Here a carrot , there a carrot
Everywhere a carrot, carrot
Vegetables are good for me EEIEEIO
(children can take turns with veg)
Apples are good for me
Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum
(children can take turns with fruits)

Silent Sitting

• Thank you God for the food that you have given me. I have learnt that food is God-Annam Brahma. From today I promise you that I will not waste food. I will eat the healthy food that my mother prepares for me.

Song

Be careful little eyes, what you see, what you see, be careful little eyes what you see
There is god watching you, he is always watching you, be careful little eyes what you see.
Be careful little ears, what you hear, what you hear, be careful little ears, what you hear
There is god watching you, he is always watching you, be careful little ears what you hear.
Be careful little mouth, what you speak, how you eat, be careful little mouth what you speak
There is god watching you, he is always watching you, be careful little mouth what you speak
Be careful little hands, what you do, how you do, be careful little hands what you do
There is god watching you, he is always watching you, be careful little hands what you do
Be careful little feet, where you go, where you go, be careful little feet where you go
There is god watching you, he is always watching you, be careful little feet where you go.
Be careful little mind, what you think, what you think, be careful little mind what you think
There is god watching you, he is always watching you, be careful little mind what you think.
Be careful little heart, what you feel, what you feel, be careful little heart what you feel
There is god watching you, he is always watching you, be careful little heart what you feel.
Be careful little children, what you do, what you do, be careful little children what you do
There is god watching you, he is always watching you, be careful little children what you do.

Activity

God has created me

School can be a fun-filled place. Be a good student – how can you be a good student? Your teachers work hard. They spend time with you. They help you to learn and grow up to be a fine person. Behave well in class. Listen to what teacher say. Obey them. It will make them happy. That is how you show your love to your teachers. Being a good student is not just getting good marks. No! It means dong your best in everything in school. To be a good student you also have to….

Come to school on time
Do your homework
Wear a neat and clean uniform

Be a good friend and make your schoolmates happy

Always be cheerful. When you are full of fun and cheer, you make your classmates happy too. When you look at each other smile. Never quarrel or fight over little things. Don’t hit each other or get angry. Ask your teacher for help. Whenever you feel angry with a friend tell yourself, “we love one another”. Can you be angry with someone you love? Now look at one another and say, “we love one another”. Feel happy when your friends do well in something. If there is a running race, everyone cannot win. You will win in something else. So when your friends win, you must clap and cheer. Being with friends make everyone happy. A good way to show your love to your friends is to help each other. If your friend is doing some-thing wrong you must correct him. Remember you can do more together than when you are alone.

Story

The True Fiends

Once there were two friends – a squirrel and a puppy. They used to live and play together. The squirrel was very sporty and always won the game. The puppy used to feel bad and thought that it was of no use.One day, it started raining heavily. The squirrel was in high spirits. He started doing antics but suddenly, lost his balance and fell in the rain water. He called his friend, the puppy for help. The puppy came to his rescue. The squirrel climbed on its back and reached a safe place. He thanked his friend for saving his life.

Activity

• Draw a flower with petals love, help, peace, share,give,care,truth,smile.