The Secret Behind Her Productivity - Shambhavi Nautiyal

Surabhi was a 14-year-old straight-A student who always tried to make the most out of her time. She didn’t make friends, or maybe it’s just that her friends didn’t stick with her. She had been moving through her day, keeping much to herself and studying as much as possible. Then, a new transfer student ‘Kavita’ entered her life.

She was smart, confident, uninhibited and open about her feelings. She always looked so happy and ‘perfect’ in Surabhi’s eyes. It made her wish that she could be like her. Then, one day, Kavita came up to her and said “Hi!” She complimented Surabhi’s hair and how pretty she looked, which made her drop a tear or two.

Kavita kept probing her until Surabhi confessed how her mother never let her sleep, how she could not study ‘enough’ and just couldn’t make time, and then Kavita told her how the same things happened to her, and so she tried a new timetable which helped her.

Kavita asked Surabhi how she felt then, but she said "Nothing can ever help me". Then Kavita suddenly got all serious and said “If you don’t let yourself be helped, you won’t be helped”. Surabhi ran to the girl’s restroom, looked in the mirror, and realised that she had been betraying herself by telling herself that she could never succeed and everyone else was ahead of her not making any mistakes.

She told this to Kavita, when she confirmed to her that everyone including herself always went through times when they simply couldn’t achieve their goals overnight and had to do the job bit by bit. Surabhi was hit by a wave of discernment, how she had been gatekeeping a lot from her friends without actually knowing. When she was with them not much came out of her mouth and she just tried pushing her fears and problems under the rug because why would she trouble them with her problems, wouldn’t that just make her ‘uninteresting’, ‘cry-baby’ or ‘too sensitive and uncool’.

Kavita told her that it’s always okay to feel your feelings and first sort her things out before approaching a friend. Surabhi felt renewed and comforted for the first time in weeks and just decided to be grateful.

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Shambhavi Nautiyal 

Class- 10

Ahlcon Public School

You're Really A Good Girl - Rishona Chopra

 

" You're Really A Good Girl," said the headmaster to Totto-chan and the better part is that Totto-chan agreed with him; now that's what I call - self-esteem and self-love. 

It was not that she wasn't a good girl; she was a really good girl. She was kind and helpful, but always curious took the better of her. It always got her into trouble! I wonder what a marvellous friend she would be!  

Telling a young child that he/she is a good girl/ boy is really good. It means to say that - Some people may not think we are good, but your character is not bad. It has an excellent great deal, and I know that. Maybe someone makes us believe we are not great, but when we have one person who tells us that he believes in us and likes us, doesn't it feel great even if it is your friend. These words instil self-confidence in us, which is very important.

So, today let's give ourselves a message that we are great girls and boys!

 

Totto-chan, you're great,
You're someone with who I can relate,
You are kind,
You help the blind.
You are sweet,
You acted like you were meat!
You have amazing skills,
You bravely climb hills.

You wanted to be a ticket seller,
But you could even be a storyteller!
You want to be a spy and a musician,
You truly have a great ambition.

You're talkative and have so much to tell,
You're a great rebel.
I wish I were a bit more like you!
And that's true!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Respect - Tamanna Solanki

Tamanna Solanki

Respect is the most recurring human value among all other human values. It is of two types: self-respect (self-esteem) and respect for others. I think we all learn it by experience. It can't be inherent, but it is learned very early in life through various experiences. It is as simple as acknowledging the presence of the other being. Mere recognizing and accepting the point of view of the other person and giving him or her due consideration is showing respect. We can be respectful of anyone's deeds, opinions, rights, dignity, decisions, likes or dislikes, etc.

Before learning how to respect others, I, rather, naturally go through a journey to recognize how it feels to be respected. I simply feel respected when my parents listen to me, when they ask my opinion on trivial family matters, when my mentors acknowledge my curiosity, doubts and responses. I feel respected when my friends consider my opinion and collaborate and cooperate with me now and then. And all these things taught me to be respectful to others irrespective of their age. This develops self-esteem, which also gives us confidence and courage and a very positive feeling. 

Most of the time, when we respect others, we are likely to get it back. But, I feel we can never be certain that giving respect ensures getting respect. As the saying goes, "Respect is not demanded; it is commanded". So, for commanding respect, we need to become worthy of others' respect. Since we are living in a society, respect for others is a must value to inculcate. And this can be done only when we respect ourselves first.

In the end, I would like to say that respect is a vital human value that is necessary for adapting to social behaviour and, therefore human survival.

Tamanna Solanki 

Class VII

The Fabindia School