Story

Power of Concentration

Swami Vivekananda, in his childhood was playing a game called ‘meditation’ with his friends. In this game all the children would sit with closed eyes and everyone would think of some deity he liked most.

One day, when they were playing this game, one of them heard a soft sound. As he opened his eyes, he saw a big snake crawling on the ground and coming towards them. As he shouted, “Cobra! Cobra!” all except Vivekananda ran away shouting. All his friends started shouting asking him to get up and run. But he did not hear this shouting at all. He was sitting still with his eyes closed, thinking only of God. He did not know what was going on around him.

And what did the cobra do? It moved on the ground this way and that way and then went away. All his friends, parents as well as his neighbours were all surprised at his power of concentration and his love for God.

Because of this concentration, Vivekananda could remember his lessons clearly even with one or two readings. At college too, he was known as a bright scholar. This power helped him greatly.

Once, when he was at Chicago in America, he saw some young boys trying to shoot eggshells floating in the river. As the shells rode up and down on the small waves, the boys could not hit them. All the boys tried a number of times but all of them missed the target. They noticed that Vivekananda was watching them with keen interest. So, they called out to him, “You have been watching us all the time. Do you think you can do better?” Vivekananda gave them a smile and said that he would like to try. Taking the gun in his hand, he aimed at the eggshells, concentrating on the target for some time. Then he lifted the gun twelve times and hit an eggshell each time. The boys were struck with wonder on seeing Swamiji’s skill and asked, “well, Sir, how could you do this without any practice?” Vivekananda laughed aloud and said, “Well, well I will tell you the secret. Whatever you may be doing, concentrate all your attention on it. Think of nothing else. If you are shooting, keep your mind only on the target. Your aim will not fail. Concentration can work wonders. Even when you are studying, think of only the lesson in hand. What you read will then be almost printed in your memory.

Activity

Game- Test your listening- the pebble game

• The children shut their eyes. The teacher drops pebbles in a tin box slowly
• A the children’s listening ability and concentration increases, gradually increase the number of pebbles and speed of dropping
• At the end each child can say how many pebbles there were
• Remind the children that they are competing against themselves, and not against each other

Story

Serve man Serve God

Once upon time, there lived a poor, old cobbler named Martin. He had only a few things and just enough food to eat, but he had a kind heart and he loved God. One day, God appeared in his dream and told him that He would visit him the next day. He asked Martin to keep something nice for Him to eat.

Martin got up next morning, and used all his money to buy some vegetables. He made a tasty broth for the Lord and waited. Looking out of the window, Martin saw a poor, old man shivering in the cold outside. Martin gave the old man a blanket and the cup of tea, he had made for himself.

Then came an old woman, nearly fainting with hunger. Martin gave her a part of the warm broth. he had made for God and some fruits. She blessed him and left.

Then he heard a baby crying. Looking out, he saw a poor mother weeping because she had no milk to give her hungry baby. Martin gave her all the milk he had. The child smiled at him after drinking the milk. The mother and baby left.

It was getting dark. Martin was very sad. Now, even if God came, he only had a little cold broth to give Him; not even milk or fruits. He begged God to forgive him. Suddenly, he heard footsteps outside and a strange light entered his room.

In the light, there appeared before him, the shivering old man, the starving old woman and the poor mother with the hungry baby. Then in that beautiful light, Martin heard God’s voice say, “It was I! It was I! It was I!” The light vanished ! Martin was blessed by God because he had served the poor.

Song

Tune – if you are happy and you know it …

Be kind to the poor and needy
Be kind to the poor and needy
When you know that “God lives in all”
Be kind to the poor and needy.

Be punctual throughout your life
Be punctual throughout your life
When you know that “Time is precious”
Be punctual throughout your life.

Be honest in whatever you do
Be honest in whatever you do
When you know that “Honesty is the best policy”
Be honest in whatever you do.

Our 5 mothers are:

• Our own mother (Deha mata)
• Mother Earth (Bhu mata)
• Mother Cow (Gomata)
• Holy books(Veda mata)
• Motherland (Desha mata)

Deha mata

• She has given us birth. She looks after us with great love. We cannot see God but our own mother herself is the form of God before us. She is the embodiment of love, service and sacrifice. Home is the nursery of all virtues and our mother is our first teacher (guru). We owe everything to our mother who has nurtured and nourished us with great love and care. “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”

Bhu mata

• Mother earth provides us with food, clothing and shelter. We have a great, wide beautiful and wonderful world, which provides us with everything. Our ancestors were happy and contented with what Mother Earth provided. They realised the importance of preserving and protecting the land, forests and rivers. Unfortunately today, man has too many desires and he is harming Mother Earth by throwing waste and harmful chemicals into the rivers, cutting down trees and killing different types of birds and animals. As a result there are many types of birds and animals, which no longer exist today.

Gomata

• The cow provides us with nourishing milk. We all, especially little children depend upon milk and milk products. The gentle cow also teaches us many values. In return for the grass and waterthat we give her, she provides us with milk. She serves us even after deathas we make use of the cow’s skin(hide) as well as the horns. Cow dung is a good manure. The gentle cow teaches us that service to others should be the goal of our life.

Veda mata

• Our holy, religious books help us to lead a good life. All great religionshave sacred scriptures. They emphasize that in order to reach God we must lead a life of love, service and sacrifice. They also teach us the lesson ‘Help Ever Hurt Never’. They all declare the ‘Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God’.

Desh mata

• ‘Mother and Motherland are greater than heaven’. Our motherland is the land of our birth. We must be proud to belong to the country in which we are born. We must cherish the noble values and ideals of our country and practice them. We must be ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of our country. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Activity

• identify the Mother
• Gives us knowledge / wisdom
• Become good citizen
• Keep our environment clean
• Symbol of auspiciousness
• Protect the wealth of your country
• The one who knows everything
• Mother of Sita
• Pay your respects / namaskar to her daily
• The one who is with Sri Krishna
• When you respect her it is equal to respecting God

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

Ramu was well – known in the village as an honest milkman. He had two sons, Surya and Chandra. Time and again, Ramu used to tell them, “look here, never deceive or cheat any one. Honest labour alone gives you real peace and happiness in life.

One day, Ramu severely scolded Surya for not taking the cattle for grazing. Surya felt so much hurt that he left home, determined never to return.

Old Ramu would feel worried and miserable whenever he remembered Surya. A few days before his death, Ramu said to Chandra, “My dear son, try your best to find our Surya, your brother. You can recognize him by the big, black scar on his forehead. Out of the ten buffaloes we have, give him five as his share.” After Ramu’s death, Chandra used to go to every fair and mela in the nearby villages, hoping to find Surya there. But all his efforts were in vain.

One day, Chandra was returning home with the buffaloes after their grazing. On the way, he saw a stranger in the village sitting under a tree. As Chandra came close to him, he was surprised to find a big, black scar on his forehead. He recognized him as his brother. But he was very much pained to see him in soiled and torn clothes. So, he almost wept as he said, “Oh brother Surya, why are you leading a miserable life and wearing such clothes? Come home with me. Take five out of the ten buffalo’s father has left for us and leads a happy life, selling mild and butter.” Surya went home with his brother. But he was silent all the time. After having food together, Chandra spread a big carpet and soon, both were fast asleep.

Next morning, Chandra woke up and, to his surprise, found that Surya had left with the five buffaloes. But, then, a doubt arose in his mind. “Why should Surya run away with the buffaloes? I hope, I have not been cheated by a rogue.” After some thinking he consoled himself, “I have been honest and done just as Pitaji advised me, God be witness to it. Why, then, should I worry?’

After a few days, a nice bullock-cart stopped in front of Chandra’s door. As Chandra peeped out, he saw a person with a big, black scar on his forehead coming towards him. But now, he was quite decently dressed and looked like a rich man. He came close to Chandra and said, with a smile, “Oh brother, didn’t you recognize me” But Chandra replied in a sad tone, “Brother, I do recognize you. But I have committed a grave mistake. “Two weeks ago, I gave away your five buffaloes to someone else, mistaking him for you. But then, I don’t want you to suffer for my folly. I will give you the five buffaloes which are mine.

Embracing his brother, Surya said, “My dear Chandra, you have not committed any mistake. I myself had some at that time dressed as a poor man, to test your honesty. Indeed, you are as honest as our beloved Pitaji himself. By his blessing, I too have built up a good business in fruits and vegetables. It has made me a rich man. Now, I have a big house in the town, this bullock cart and a small fruit garden as well. I have come to take you to town to stay with me. I have purchased a small room in the market for you where you can start a dairy and sell milk and sweets.”

Both the brother then went in, hand-in-hand, and standing before their father’s small photograph said, “Pitaji, you taught us to be always honest. Indeed, we are very fortunate to have learnt it from you. Today is our honesty that is giving us peace and joy, which no amount of money can ever give.”

Activity

• An honest person is one who does not lie or cheat or steal. God expects us to be absolutely honest in all our actions. Honesty is usually about things that belong to people.
• What do you think would be the honest thing to do in the following circumstances?
• You see a pencil lying on the floor that no-one else has seen.
• Mother gives you R10 to buy bread. The bread costs only R8.50. What would you do with the change?
• There are sweets in a dish on the table. There is no-one else around. What would you do?
• Father gives you 5 stickers to give to your friend. One of them is a beautiful one that you would like to have. What do you do?
• You are playing a board game with your friend. He is not paying attention.You know that you could move your counter a few blocks forward to win, and he wouldn’t notice. What would you do?