When someone has done something to hurt you, what do you feel like doing in return? Do you feel like hurting the person? Think! If you do that then what is the difference between you and the person who hurt you? You would not want to be like that person, would you? You want to be a better person than the one who hurt you. Then what must you do/ You must forgive. To forgive means not to remain angry after someone has hurt you by saying rude things about you, or doing rude things to you.

Knowingly or unknowingly, we hurt so many people, or may be doing harm to birds and animals. We must ask forgiveness of God for these mistakes and promise not to do them again

Sloka

Kara charana Kritam vaak, Kayajam karmajam va
Shravana nayanacham va, manasam va aparadam
Vihitamavihitam vam sarvametat kshamasva
Jaya jaya karunabdhe, Sri mahadeva Sambho.

Story

Self Appraisal~Work

A little boy went to a telephone booth which was at the cash counter of a store and dialed a number.The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation:

Boy : “Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn? Woman : (at the other end of the phone line) “I already have someone to cut my lawn.” Boy : “Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price than the person who cuts your lawn now.” Woman : I’m very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn. Boy : (with more perseverance) “Lady, I’ll even sweep the floor and the stairs of your house for free. Woman : No, thank you.

With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver. The store-owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy.

Store Owner : “Son… I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job.” Boy : “No thanks, Store Owner : But you were really pleading for one. Boy : No Sir, I was just checking my performance at the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to!”

At the end of the day when we start looking within ourselves and think how we spent the day. is the time when we test ourselves. Let us find the answers for the questions below :

• Did I help anyone during the day?
• Did I speak sweetly and softly with everyone?
• Did I not waste food?
• Did I share my things with friends / brothers/ sisters ?
• Did I save water?
• Have I spent my day as: “See Good, Be Good, Do Good”?

It is the time to thank God after the introspection for giving us a beautiful and happy day. Let us ask God for forgiveness if we have hurt anyone and for any wrong things done in the day. Let us promise God that we will not repeat the mistakes again.

Activity

• Take two cardboard boxes. Decorate one and call it the treasure box(Devghar) Call the other one as the waste paper box(Kachda box) Prepare small cards of good qualities and bad qualities.Distribute the cards to children and they must decide and put the card they have received in one of the two boxes. Analyse why they have put in that box.

Story

Nothing is useless

In olden times boys used to go to ‘Gurukuls’ and live there with the Guru for many years for their education.Once, two boys, who completed their studies were to leave the Gurukul for home. They went to the Guru and said, “Gurudev, please tell us what gift may we give you as your Guru-dakshina?” The Guru was pleased with the pupils’ love and gratitude. He said to them “Dear children, go into the forest behind our Gurukul and bring me some dry leaves for which no one has any use.” The obedient boys left for the forest as their Guru wanted them to go.

They saw a small heap of dry leaves beneath a tree. When they were picking up some of the leaves, an old farmer came running to them and said, “ Please put those leaves back into the heap. I have collected them. I am taking them to my field. When I burn them their ashes will make excellent manure which will enable me to have a rich crop of food grains.”

The pupil left that heap. Then they saw three women collecting dry leaves and putting them into their baskets. “What do you do with these dry leaves?” asked the pupil. “ Dear brothers, I use them as fuel to heat water for my bath, and for washing our clothes.” The second one said, “ We pin the better leaves together with reed pins and make ‘patravalis’ which are used as dinner plates.” The third one said, “ My husband who is a ‘vaidya’ uses them for preparing some herbal medicines.”

The pupil then went still further into the forest. They saw some dry leaves under a tall tree. As both were looking at them, a big bird swooped down and picking up one leaf, flew away. The pupil watched the bird carrying the leaf to the top of a small tree near-by, where it was building a nest of dry leaves and grass. They did not wish to take away the dry leaves which were useful to the bird.

Near by they saw a small pond in which a big dry leaf was floating on the water. “ There is a big dry leaf which is of no use to anyone.” said one of them. The pupil went to the pond and picked up the leaf. To their surprise, they saw two big red ants moving on it. The ants seem to say “This dry leaf has been our life boat in the pond. Please don’t throw us away.”

The pupil returned to the Gurukul. In a sad tone they told their Guru, “Gurudev we found that even dry leaves have so many uses. Please forgive us for not bringing with us the Gurudakshina you had asked for.”

“Dear children, replied the Guru, the knowledge you have gathered today is my real Gurudakshina. Even a dry leaf is of great use and help to man, bird and insect. How much precious then, should a man’s body be when it is put to good use. So, take good care of your body and use it to make your life as well as the lives of others happy. Never miss a chance to use it to serve the needy, the sick and aged or to help the ignorant and the poor. Never forget this great lesson you have learnt today.”

Activity

• Best from waste

Story

Pandit & the Milkmaid (story told by Ramakrishna Paramhamsa)

There was once a pandit who lived on the bank of a river. So learned was he that other pandits came from far and near to consult with him. They showered him with appreciation. On the other side of the bank lived a milkmaid, called Lakshmi, who sold milk to the pandit. Hers was a busy day. She woke up early in the morning, bathed her cows, milked them, then cooked a meal for her old father and then set out to deliver the milk. She had to cross the river on a boat. One day the pandit was waiting for her for a long time. When she finally arrived, the pandit said, Ah, Lakshmi you have come at last. I was waiting for you since early morning. From tomorrow I want the milk before sunrise. The next morning Lakshmi rushed to the riverbank at the crack of dawn but the boatman did not show up until late morning. Hurry, hurry, Lakshmi urged the boatman, knowing that the pandit would be waiting for the milk. The pandit complained, You are late again, what happened? The pandit was in a bad mood that day. Don’t give me excuses! He shouted. How dare you disregard my wishes! Don’t you know who I am? Lakshmi began to cry. But the pandit continued to boast, Do you know how learned I am? You are just a simple milkmaid. I know so many things. That river is like the river of life. People safely cross the river of life by invoking the name of Hari, another name for Vishnu. Lakshmi took the pandit’s words very seriously and happily departed, saying to herself, I wish panditji had told me this earlier. The next day Lakshmi arrived at the pandit’s house before sunrise. The Pandit was surprised to see her as he could not see the boatman. How did you cross the river? he inquired. Lakshmi smiled and said, You taught me to cross the river by chanting the name of Hari and I did. That is impossible! the pandit shouted and ordered her to cross the river again. Lakshmi crossed the river again without any difficulty, chanting the name of Hari as she did so. She stayed completely dry. The pandit tried to do the same chanting the name of Hari. But as he tried to protect his clothes from getting wet, he fell into the river. Lakshmi was astonished. Oh Panditji, she said, You were not thinking of Hari at all. You were busy thinking about your dhoti. That is why it did not work. Panditji marveled at Lakshmi’s devotion and accepted that her faith was more powerful than his empty learning. He sincerely blessed Lakshmi.

Faith is more powerful than knowledge

Story

NAMASMARAN (108 NAMES OF LORD) (15X 7)(1X3)

BUM BUM BHOLA
SOMESHWARA
SAMBASHIVA
SHOOLADHARI
TRIPURARI
JATADHARI
GANGADHARI
MRITUNJAYA
NEELKANTHA
NANDIRAJA
MAHESHWARA
BHOLANATHA
NATARAJA
SADASHIVA
MAHADEVA
SAYEESHWARA

Story

Thirsting for Love

Raju and Rohan were playing in the veranda of their sea side residence. Suddenly Raju spotted a little dove, drinking water from the fountain in the backyard. The poor little bird seemed very parched, but it did not evoke any sympathy in the naughty little siblings. Instead of letting the bird quench its thirst, Rohan and Raju ran to the backyard to shoo it away. The sound of stomping feet scared the little bird and it flew away.Their grandmother who was observing all this, shook her head in disappointment.

All afternoon, both the boys played in the summer heat, shouting their lungs out. They stood at their doorstep, exhausted and urgently demanded a glass of cold water. But instead of taking them inside the house, Dadi took them out in the backyard.

“We are tired dadi, and wish to play no more,” cried Rohan.

“Yes, Dadi, we are thirsty. Please give us water,” begged Raju.

“Will you please explain your cruel behaviour towards the little bird in the morning? What wrong had he done to you?” Dadi demanded.

The brothers giggled recollecting their mischief. Before Dadi could speak further, they were already ready with their answers. Raju was the first to speak up.

“Dadi, he was drinking from our fountain. Don’t you always say, that one shouldn’t snatch from another’s plate?”

“Yes, Dadi. He is right. We saved the water by shooing the bird away, stated Rohan.

Dadi could see , how proud both her boys were. She decided to clear all their misconceptions. “Oh! How smart of you to save water, my bacchus!”, Dadi smiled. “I think I should learn that from the two of you. You boys shall not have water till it’s time for dinner. In this way I’m sure a lot of water will be saved.”

The two little brothers were shocked by the wit of their Dadi. They never expected her to win over their defence. Neither Raju nor Rohan could get themselves out of Dadi’s trap. Two hours passed by, when the boys finally decided to drop their ego and go back to Dadi.

“Dadi, you are being unfair,” Rohan complained.

“And why do you think that my dear!” There was a smile in her voice.

“You are depriving us of water, even when you have plenty of it!” cried Raju.

“Isn’t this the same way you treated the poor dove?” Dadi questioned.

Booth the boys lowered their gaze in shame. They realised how parched dove might have felt. They looked at each other and then said in unison, “We are sorry Dadi”.

“I hope you got the message,” Dadi ended on a firm note.

Both the boys nodded eagerly, in agreement.

Dadi smiled at her triumph and gave the boys their glasses of water. Since, that day, Raju and Rohan showed kindness towards animals and birds. Now, every summer, they place a big bowl of water in their veranda for little birds, who need water during their flight.

Song

Laugh a little Sing a little

Laugh a little Sing a little
As you go your way!
Work a little Play a little
Do this every day!

Give a little take a little.
Never mind a frown
Make a smile a welcome thing
All around the town!

Laugh a little, love a little
Skies are always blue!
Every cloud has silver linings,
But it’s up to you!

Story

A glass of milk

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk.

He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?”

“You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.”

He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately, he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor’s gown, he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room.

She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the following words:

“Paid in full with one glass of milk”

Signed, Dr. Howard Kelly.

Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind. No act of kindness is ever wasted. Smile. Be Kind.

What do you think obedience means? Obedience means listening to your parents and teachers and doing what they want you to do. You can always ask them for a reason, but only after you obey.

Why should you be obedient? Think! Do you agree that your parents and teachers know a lot more than you? Do you accept that your parents and teachers love you very much? Yes? Then you should obey them. They want you to be happy. Everything they tell you is only because they want you to grow up to be a good person. So remember
this even if you do not like some of the things they tell you to do. Then you will find it easy to e obedient.

Story

The Naughty Turtle

There lived a turtle in a lake, who had two swans as her good friends.

All three of them would meet on the banks of the lake every day, and exchanged stories, before returning at sunset. They enjoyed each other’s company.

One year, there was no rain and lake started to dry. The swans got worried about the declining water level of the lake, and said to the turtle, “You will not be able to survive in this lake. All the water in the lake will soon dry up”.

The turtle was aware of the problem, “It is indeed difficult to live here anymore. Dear friends, please look for an alternate lake which is full of water. Then, find a strong stick from somewhere.

The turtle continued, “Once you find another lake, you can carry me to the lake with a stick. I can hold the stick tightly with my mouth, while both of you can hold the stick at either ends and fly”.

As planned, the swans flew to distant places and after some time found a lake which had plenty of water in it. They returned to carry the turtle.

They prepared to hold the stick from both the ends, and suggested the turtle, “Dear friend, everything seems fine. But make sure to keep your mouth tightly shut all the time. You must not speak, or you will fall off.”

Finally, they started flying. After some time, they had flown some distance when the turtle saw a town below.

The people of the town were staring at the sight of two swans carrying a turtle in the sky. “Look at that!This is a rare sight that two birds are carrying a turtle with the help of a stick”, they shouted in admiration.

On hearing all the commotion, the turtle opened her mouth, “What is all the commotion about?”, she asked.

Needless to say, she went down the moment she opened her mouth, and the swans could do nothing to stop her from falling down to the earth.

Story

Borrowed Feathers

Once upon a time God called all the birds together. “I want to choose the best looking bird to be the king to rule over the birds,” he said. Each bird then started preening his feathers, fanning his tail and spreading his wings out wide to show off his beautiful feathers. The sparrow looked at his drab feathers and decided he would have to make a plan. He quietly hopped around the assembled birds, picking up one
beautiful feather here and another there. Then he stuck them in between his feathers until he became a rainbow of a bird, the brightest bird there!

At the appointed time all the birds gathered around God to hear what he would say. He passed in front of each bird. Then he stopped in front of the sparrow and was just thinking of naming him the king. Suddenly there was a flurry of wings and great twittering among the birds as they realised that that rainbow bird had in fact stolen their feathers. All the birds plunged down on him, each bird pecking off his own
feathers. This left nothing but a little brown sparrow who had tried to win by cheating!

Moral

• Don’t pretend to be better than others

Borrowed Feathers Draw some more birds sitting in the trees. Draw the buttersflies looking to see who has the prettiest feathers. Colour your picture.

Story

Crow & Peacock

A crow lived in the forest and was absolutely satisfied in life. But one day he saw a swan. “This swan is so white,” he thought, “and I am so black. This swan must be the happiest bird in the world.”

He expressed his thoughts to the swan. “Actually,” the swan replied, “I was feeling that I was the happiest bird around until I saw a parrot, which has two colors. I now think the parrot is the happiest bird in creation.” The crow then approached the parrot. The parrot explained, “I lived a very happy life until I saw a peacock. I have only two colors, but the peacock has multiple colors.”

The crow then visited a peacock in the zoo and saw that hundreds of people had gathered to see him. After the people had left, the crow approached the peacock. “Dear peacock,” the crow said, “you are so beautiful. Every day thousands of people come to see you. When people see me, they immediately shoo me away. I think you are the happiest bird on the planet.”

The peacock replied, “I always thought that I was the most beautiful and happy bird on the planet. But because of my beauty, I am entrapped in this zoo. I have examined the zoo very carefully, and I have realized that the crow is the only bird not kept in a cage. So for past few days I have been thinking that if I were a crow, I could happily roam everywhere.”

That’s our problem too. We make unnecessary comparison with others and become sad. We don’t value what God has given us. This all leads to the vicious cycle of unhappiness. Learn to be happy in what you have instead of looking at what you don’t have. There will always be someone who will have more or less than you have. Person who is satisfied with what he/she has, is the happiest person in the world.

What does “being content” mean? Being content means being happy with who you are and what you have. Each of you has different gifts One of you may be a good singer, another a good dancer and yet another may be able to paint very well. There are so many things (ask them to name a few..) we have to be about. There are many children who do not have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. Shall we say a simple prayer, thanking God for all the things He has given us? Shall we also ask God to give the poor children in the world the good things we have?

Sit straight, close your eyes and fold your hands. Repeat this simple prayer.

Dear God,
Thank you for your lovely gifts
It gives us joy, it does!
Please do give our poor friends,
All that you have given us.
Give them and us the power to pray,
And thank you for your love.
And may we always be happy
With all the things we have.

Story– The Camel and the Goat

One day a camel and a goat went for a walk. They passed over a grove of trees. Since the fence was very high, they could not go into the grove. But the camel saw many branches hanging over the fence.

Because it was tall, the camel munched up tender leaves from the branches till its stomach was full. The goat did not get anything. The camel laughed and said, “O friend Goat, it is better to be tall.”

They walked along. Soon, they reached a vegetable garden. This time the goat saw a tiny gate that was open. It rushed in and happily munched up plenty of fresh, juicy vegetables.

The camel could not squeeze through the gates.After eating to its full, the goat came out and said, “ O friend camel, don’t you think it is sometimes better to be small?”

Both understood that it was good to be as each is made.

Activity

• List some of the similarities and differences between you and your friend. Note write the ones you cannot see also.

What does ‘being content’ mean? It means being happy with who you are and what you have.

Story of Snub nose

A small boy fervently prays to God to grant him a sharp nose so that he can look handsome like his friend.God sends angel Gabriel to grant him his wish. The boy is initially very happy because God has granted him a sharp nose but on looking into a mirror.… is horrified to see his very long snowman nose. He now realises that GOD KNOWS BEST & has already given him everything that is very good for him. He now apologises to God & asks him to grant him back his original nose. God is happy with him & grants him his original nose.

Do you and your friends look alike? No! There are fat, thin, dark, fair tall and short children. Some of you may be a good singer, good dancer, have good handwriting, good drawing etc.So always be happy about what you have and how you look.

Song

I am the way I am
And I am very happy with that
I may be short or I may be tall
My body may be thin or fat
But it really doesn’t matter at all
I am the way I am

Activity

• Name all things that you have. Each of you have different gifts. It is easy to be happy when one by one,you think of all the things that you have. Count your blessings.

Silent Sitting

• I will be happy with what God has given me. I will also be happy for my friends for what God has given them.