Dear School Uniform - Yashraj Sharma

I remember my first day of primary classes when I wore you proudly and happily, but honestly, that was not my first reaction to you. Initially, I felt detached, because you replaced my favourite casual clothes, my t-shirts and trousers. But when I reached school, I saw my classmates and other children wearing the same uniform. I felt a sense of belonging. I felt like I was a part of something then.

I like you and always wear you with pride and happiness as a Shreeyan. Today, I want to confess that I know how I got you soiled in the playground and how you got stained with oily vegetable mom gave me in my tiffin, how you got wet because, at times, water spilt on you from my water bottle. Sometimes you feel lonely when I put my ID card (your companion) in my school bag during sports period. I am sorry for that. Now I am in grade 8.

After grade 12, you would not be there with me as my companion. I will miss you a lot then. And last but not least, thank you for being carriers of almonds, cashews and raisins in your pocket. I am sure my mom is also thankful to you for this. You will always have a special place in my heart, my dear school uniform.

Love you always!!

Your proud owner

Yashraj Sharma
Grade 8
Gyanshree School

Alone But Not Lonely - Reveda Bhatt

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller.
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone."
-That was Kelly Clarkson.

Finding me alone somewhere makes you think that I'm lonely.
See, you got me all wrong there.
That was my "me-time"-not thinking about the past, not living in the present and not
worrying about the future; just letting time leave me behind for a while.
Drop it.

Coming back, I think once you discover the way to your inner self, it automatically comes to
you and then, you have a true friend and a true mate who truly exists but is truly invisible or
maybe just too timid to come out. May call it timid because your inner self is afraid that it
may lose its trueness in this superficial world on coming out. So, the deeper it is, the better
it is.

These six lines each carry a meaning distinct from the other.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
-Indeed, an incident made me.

Stand a little taller.
-Well, now, I do because even death couldn’t put me down.

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone.
-There is me I carry in myself.

What doesn't kill you makes a fighter.
-My injuries made me that.

Footsteps are even lighter.
-Knowing I have to leave behind what, once, I cherished.

Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone.
-You, being there, are just a superficial part of my superficial existence, as in I’m happy, really happy when you’re around, as I’m a social animal and the thought of you leaving hurts for a while, but then I just don’t feel it anymore again maybe because I’m a social animal. 
So, maybe I’m like so interestingly self-sufficient that I just don’t need anyone else to be the reason for my smile because that place is already reserved by me and those in my heart.

Conclusion-
Never think I'm lonely when I'm alone,
I was on the turn on the road where the streetlights shone,
Now, I am moving on into the endless darkness,
Not Lonely, but alone.

Reveda Bhatt

Grade IX

The Aryan School, Dehradun

Inspiration: Stronger - Kelly Clarkson https://youtu.be/Xn676-fLq7I

A fight with my friend - Yashraj Sharma

 

Yashraj Sharma

Grade 8

Gyanshree School