How did it feel to be found again after being lost? - Tenzing Dhekyong N

This incident took place when I was just six years old. I went on a trip with my grandpa and granny to Bodh Gaya, Bihar. My grandpa made a plan and told my grandmother and me to visit the temple. Meanwhile, he would buy some presents for the monks. So when we reached the temple, my granny was super excited and was having an intense conversation with nuns about his holiness that she even forgot I was there with her.

I got really bored looking at the trees and flowers; at that moment, I noticed some children playing Kho-kho together, so I joined them. I didn't know I was lost until they announced that the temple would be closed. I searched for my granny, but I didn't get her. I cried and shouted for help, and one of my friends came and motivated me. Thankfully, after calling for a long time, we noticed one police uncle was there standing. We ran around for help and told him that I was lost. He took me to a child centre and announced about me. After waiting thirty minutes with my tiny little friend, my granny and my grandpa hugged me. I could see those tears in their eyes. They explained everything about this to the police uncle. I saw one aunty running towards the centre and saying that her daughter was lost, and at last, my little friend was only her daughter.

The police uncle was delighted to see that I had helped one girl (who was playing with me) because she was also lost and was very afraid of telling anyone. I got my granny and grandpa; she has also found her mommy in the child centre. Aunty thanked me and praised me. And it was time to say goodbye to each other. Even though I got honoured by someone, I got a scolding from my nana and Nani because "GRANDPARENTS ARE ALWAYS GRANDPARENTS 💗".

Tenzing Dhekyong N
Sun, 20 Nov, 15:26 
Pestalozzi Children's Village

The darkest hour of the day - Vani Pandey

It was the 31st of October and the darkest hour of the day. My parents were out, and I was alone at home. It wasn't the first time I had been like this. This was about the hundredth time I had been all alone. I wasn't afraid, for all I could think was how to paint the wall in my room. It was huge, and it was a giant project for me. I was all blank for inspiration. 

" Hmm... What about a giant rainbow and a few of my original made characters in it? Or... What about a beautiful seascape? 

That was my mind, all messed up and out of place. Suddenly, I heard a whistle. Maybe it was the wind, or was it, someone? It came from the dark and blank lobby. Did I dare to go there? Well, no. I stayed where I was. And then went to see whether there was a wind blowing. There was a slight breeze, but it couldn't be the wind whistle. But I made up my mind and got back to work. Then again, I heard a whistle. But this time, it was more of a faint cry. My body got cold for a second. It was 11 at night, and a muffled cry was haunting me. I got hold of all the confidence I had and walked into the lobby. I switched on the light, and all I could see was the living room, well set and no one. As soon as I was returning to my room, I heard a whistle and a cry at the same time again! But this time, it came from the abandoned room in the corner. I, in fact, no one had been in there for a long while. We used it as a storeroom for our old things.

I entered and followed the cry. It was coming from a cardboard box. It said- 'Old toys'. I opened it and found a doll. And then, I remembered that it was a haunted doll my brother got me on Halloween. I saw that the button, somehow, got switched on, and it was making all that noise. I switched it off and closed the door. And by then, my parents had come back. The best part was that it was all over, but I still didn't understand how the doll's button got switched on. But as it is said- " Some things should be left as a mystery."

Vani Pandey Class- 8th:C Gyanshree School Noida

Why fit in when I can stand out? - Rishona Chopra

We have grown up with values and are taught to be kind to everyone around us. But we often exhibit the behaviour of dependency – we are nice to people only when they are nice to us. 

If they behave wrongly with us in small or big ways, we feel an impulse to strike back in the name of tit for tat or an eye for an eye. We copy people's wrong behaviours and give up our inherent goodness. From today, start living by your value compass, no matter what. 

Holding on to your qualities when tempted to copy others' wrong behaviour increases your inner power. Remind yourself – "Irrespective of my environment and people, I use my original qualities in every situation. Irrespective of the other's behaviour, I am caring and kind to them.

Unique the way I am,
That's how I stand.
With all my values and principles in place,
I will always stay at my own pace!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School