Beauty!. Where is it?

  "I am not beautiful.  I have a flat nose, protruding teeth and popping eyes.  I am dark and short. Nobody likes me. " thought Dimple sadly. Her parents had gone to work and she was sitting alone under the shade of a big tree in front of her house. "Only if the parrot gives me her sharp beak ,I would look a little beautiful" she thought when she saw a parrot on the tree branch.
   "Dear Parrot you have got beautiful green colour body and pretty beak. Can you please lend me your beauty. I am ugly and nobody wants to play with me. I feel lonely." she asked.
     ". Sorry dear. I cannot help you. This colour and beak are given by God and I cannot give this to you. I am busy collecting fruits for my children. I have to hurry" said  Polly the parrot. "Shall I help you to collect fruits" asked Dimple. " Yes if you can. Collect some fruits and put them in my basket. "said Polly.  So Dimple helped Polly and in few minutes her basket was full and Polly flew away. Again Dimple felt lonely and sad. After a few minutes Bunny the rabbit came that way He saw Dimple and asked her the reason for her sadness. She told him about her wish and asked him if he could help him. " You look so beautiful in that snow white coat. Your ears are so pretty and the way you hop and jump is loved by all. " said Dimple.  " What you say is true but I cannot  help you. I am born naturally  like this . How can I give them to you? Sorry I have to go. I am hungry . I need to search for carrots. I cannot play with you now" Hearing this Dimple took two carrots from her lunch bag and gave them to Bunny ." Thank you":saying Bunny hopped and went.
            Oogly the  wise owl was watching this from the top of the tree. He flew down to Dimple and said "Dimple dear. You are so kind and generous . Your heart is very beautiful. You have got beautiful dimples in your cheeks. Keep smiling always and you will be the most lovable person ." Dimple smiled and thanked Oogly. Seeing her smile a  butterfly flew near Dimple and said "  you   look as beautiful as a rose. Can I be your friend and rest on your shoulders?"  Dimple felt very happy for the first time.

Tribute to teachers

                                   TEACHERS   YOU ARE THE BEST

YOU ARE THE STARS VERY NEAR
RADIATING LIGHT OF WISDOM TO ALL AROUND

YOU ARE THE FLOWER VERY DEAR
SPREADING THE PEACE FRAGRANCE ON ALL GROUNDS

YOU ARE WATERS OF THE RIVER
 WASHING OUR MISTAKES IN YOUR FLOW

YOU ARE THE PLEASANT BREEZE IN SUMMER
COMFORTING US DURING TOUGH BLOWS

YOU ARE THE BOOK --VERY RARE
GIVING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IN LIFE

YOU ARE THE PERSON WHO CARES,
ACCEPTS US FROM THE AGE OF FIVE

    DEAR TEACHERS   WITHOUT YOU WE ARE ZERO
                                       YOU TRANSFORM US INTO HERO

PRIZE

                       Minnu's eyes were filled with tears. The results of the elocution was just then announced and her  name was missing. She had worked day and night for the competition and hoped to win a prize but to her bad luck she did not get even the consolation prize.
'' Don't worry dear. You had done your best. Might be they deserve it more than you. you can always try again ."Mother tried to comfort her.
 "But mummy . I deserve my fruits for the pains I had taken" said Minnu with teary eyes.
"Sure . But might be you  may have to wait a little longer. "Minnu looked definitely upset. She didnot feel like eating her lunch that day. Her father had got her a  new story book as a gift, her grand mother gave her a pretty sweater,knitted by her, her mother made her a delicious cake for her . But she was not happy. She was continuously  thinking of the defeat in the elocution the whole day and went to bed sadly.
''  Minnu  .... Minnu ...some one has come to see you. '' Minnu's  brother Bittu called her from the garden while she was getting ready to school.  Minnu uninterested went out to see who it was.  It was Chacha the school gardener. He had a  rose plant in his hand.
 '' Minnu your speech was very effective. you spoke very well on respecting and listening to parents. My son  never used to listen to me and always fought with  me. His mother was also always upset with him. In fact he wanted to send us to aged home. But yesterday after hearing your speech in our school he has changed . The way you spoke about parents sacrifices in bringing up the children has really melted him. Thank you.Minnu. Here is a small gift for your lovely speech. '' saying so he gave the rose plant to her. Minnu's eyes were filed with tears . Mamma I got my prize atlast. '' happily she ran to her mother.























































 '' 

                    Teen age ---  thirteen  to nineteen years of a child --- is a delicate period where a person  undergoes  both psychological and  physical changes.  His mind constantly gets attracted to new things, new people,  and new emotions. one such feeling he starts developing is --love.  He is neither an  adult or a child . He does like to be commanded or questioned,. If not dealt properly he may become a failure in his life. Parents and teachers should always keep in mind that thechildren in this age group should be dealt with utmost care.
                     Mr Raju hesitated for a second in front of the principal's room. He did not want to take any hasty decision. He knew that Vipul was a very good  student.  He stood first both in studies and activity everytime since he joined the school but now due to distraction he was going down slowly. Mr Raju had been trying to find the reason for a while and today he came to know about it. Vipul was attracted towards a newcomer in his class--- Sandhya   and unable to resist the liking for her he had given her a love letter.  His class teacher Miss Madhuri took this seriously and canned him in front the class. The children started whispering among themselves and avoiding him .  This made Vipul  ashamed, upset and sad and he did not feel like concentrating in anything.  Being a ninth class student he was neither kid nor adult  and could not digest the happenings.  Mr Raju ----though he was not the class teacher ---he liked Vipul very much and wanted to help him out.  He knew their principal Mr Yogi  was a child centered person and he would definitely come out with a solution .
                    He entered Mr Yogi's cabin and discussed in detail. Mr yogi thought for a while and decided what to do . Along with Mr Raju he called few other teachers in the staffroom. Among them were Mrs Anita, Mrs Meera, Ms Sharan , Mr Siddarth, Mr Dev .When he entered Vipul class Miss Madhavi was teaching  geomentry to the students and for a moment she felt little nervous seeing the principal. He started talking to the children  in general ,  cracked a few jokes and slowly came to the topic. He asked all the children to take out their rough note books . He went to the board and wrote
  '' I love geometry.
  '' I love to watch sun rise.
  '' I love  roses.
   ''I love India.
  '' I love to watch cricket
  He asked every one to write five sentences similarly.
               Next he wrote 'I love my parents.''
                                       '' I love my sister.''
                                        '' I love my students.''
                                         '' I love Mrs Meera.''
                                         '' I love  Mr Siddarth.''
and asked children to write similarly. He then asked  a few of them to read what they have written. He then started addressing the students.  '' Look children .Love is not a bad word. It  is indeed needed for healthy living.  This world looks beautiful when you see it with love. You can do wonders if you fill love in your heart. Without love everything is empty. Think of Mother Theresa, Gautam Buddha or Gandhi. They loved every body--good or bad, rich or poor, man or woman.  That is why they are remembered and praised  by everyone. you all should also live similarly. Shake hands with each and every one in your class and say I LOVE YOU. to each other and from now  think the word love is a  word  which expresses universal brotherhood.''
                  The children shoke hands with each other and Vipul felt happy that every one shoke hands with him and said I love you.  Mr Raju was happy that principal sir had  solved the problem in a smooth way. 

THE PEACOCK FEATHERS

                                   Sitting in the balcony with my favorite drink,  I began to make sketch of my future  moves. I knew that tomorrow as sun rises I had to face a lot of problems. My son had been asking for school fees for the past two days. I had to pay the hospital charges and bring my mother home. In addition to this my brother has been requesting me  for a considerable amount for his job.  The worst thing I did not have a penny in my pocket.  "So what have you decided?" asked my wife as she sat in front of me sipping her cup of coffee.  " Yet to decide.  Not thought of any plans . what do you suggest.? " I said nonchalantly .  My wife was very good at planning  and she always had  realistic ideas. "I can convince people in tomorrow's kitty party and arrange for Chandu's fees. Rest you have to think. " She said confidently. " Bringing home mother is important.  I have to pay atleast a few thousands to get her discharged. '' I know but you can always apply for a mediclaim. you have got that facility.''   '' I know but I thought I will use the mediclaim for Radhe's eye surgery. She needs her sight to be corrected before going for higher studies.''  ''But that can always wait. She can manage with her glasses for another year.  you should try to convince her.'' my wife Vidhya  said.

   '' Why don't you ask your elder sister for some help. They are in a well to do position. They can always come to our rescue.'' 

   '' But that will make them think that I am inefficient in managing my family.'' I replied going through  my son Chandu's note book avoiding her looks . She knew that I never liked getting help from relatives for any purpose. 

    Ok your wish. give that book I have to keep it in Chandu's bag or else he will forget to take it to school tomorrow. ''she said . As I was handing the book , a peacock feather fell down.

   '' why does he collect such useless things ?  I asked irritated..

   ''What is wrong in it ?  Even I used to have it in my maths notebook when I was small..  I strongly believe that I passed my maths exams because of having it in my notebooks.  Seeing it often brings good luck.'' Vidhya replied. 

   ''You too believe in superstitions. I  said disbelievingly.

   '' Faith and belief always works wonders .  you know one thing.   The same peacock feather is considered a bad omen in Europe. But in our country Lord Krishna wears it on his crown . So people believe that it will bring good luck. Keep it with you and might be it proves lucky.'' suggested my wife.. ''I donot believe in superstitions''I replied. She went into the house to complete her work ignoring my comments.

    I kept quiet for I knew that sometimes a deed which benefits some may become harmful for other.  Every  deed has two faces like the two sides of a coin. After a few seconds a small desire crept into my mind. Might be it is really lucky. why not give it a try?  I took the fallen peacock feather  and placed it in my office bag hoping it will pull me out from my troubles.  The next moment I laughed at myself wondering what a big fool I am.
      The night passed peacefully The next day started brightly with my mother coming home happily from hospital cured completely. I need not had to pay her hospital charges as she was widow of a freedom fighter and that particular day the hospital announced free treatment for spouses of freedom fighters.  My son Chandu got a merit scholarship  and my brother bagged a decent job in sports quota. He was a good sprinter it helped him to get a job in railways. My worries had melted like ice instead of mounting to ice mountains.  '' See you believed in what I told  and your problems are solved ''my wife said to me that night while going to sleep
''Was it because of keeping peacock feather in my bag or because good times have started for me. Might be --- peacock feathers are really lucky but I am not going to believe in it.  You know why? For believing and spreading such a superstition may lead to death of many peacocks for their feathers.  Long live peacocks!!!''I said.
''  My dear foolish husband   peacocks are never killed for their feathers because they  shed their feathers annually after breeding season.  These feathers are collected and used. they represent purity of soul, good luck and are also loved for their beauty. So you need not worry about their deaths.''my wife said lovingly. I looked sheepishly.  I knew I was beaten She indeed was more informative than me. but I wanted to say the last word. so I said.  ''why should I go for those feathers when I have you a pure soul --  very beautiful--one who brings good luck to me always . You are my peacock feather dear.