Green Wisdom - Nishan Karki

PC- Tom Hill(Pixabay)

 “If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees". ― Hal Borland

Hello everybody, 

I am a tree, your green friend. Look around, and you will find me: green, dry, old, young, tall, and short. I provide your cattle with a cool breeze, fruits, wood, shelter, and fodder. I give shelter to many animals and birds. I am a joy to climb and play on. I am the chief supplier of oxygen and also a regulator of the water cycle. My roots prevent soil erosion. I also act as a noise barrier, carbon sink, temperature controller and protection against various things.

I make up the whole forest with my other friends. We perform the functions mentioned above, and I am sure they are of great importance to you.

Now, I want to ask you a fundamental question. 

Have you ever wondered what would happen if there were no trees at all? 

Well, here is the answer. There would be no greenery on earth. Earth would be a hot or cold planet like other planets with no life. There would be no water, greenery, beauty, or life. There would be climate change, loss of biodiversity, lack of oxygen, drought and no life. All the humans, animals and other living creatures would lose their lives. 

This may have made you think about the importance of trees in everyone's life. 

Here are some lessons you can learn from me:

● Help and Protect 

I protect living creatures from high and low temperatures, rain, and strong winds. Like me, you should also protect people and animals and help them in need. You should have a kind heart and warm feelings for others.

● Learn to give 

I give you oxygen, fruits, medicines, fodder, wood, and other necessary resources. Likewise, you should always learn to offer something to needy people. 

● Patience 

Stay patient to get success and other things in life. Always learn to wait. I also patiently wait for my fruits and leaves to grow.

● Have Hope and Faith 

You must develop a sense of hope and faith in yourself. With firm hope and trust in your goal, you can achieve it. I also hope and believe that I will live a long life and that people will not cut me. 

● Never give up

I had to face many problems when I was growing up. I  endured heavy rains, drought, frost, and high and cold temperatures. I never gave up, and now I have grown to withstand such conditions. I am the epitome of never giving up in life. You should never lose hope and faith and never give up. You must stay focused to achieve your goals. No matter how many challenges push you back and make you fall, you should have the courage to get up and move ahead.

Challenge the challenges. 

● Be Green ( Happy) 

You must be happy in life like we are green. Happiness motivates you to achieve your goals, and happy people tend to live longer. At last, I would like to present you with a poem about me written by Henry Cuyler Bunner.

The Heart of the Tree

What does he plant? Who plants a tree?        

He plants a friend of the sun and sky;  

He plants the flag of breezes free;

The shaft of beauty, towering high.

He plants a home to heaven anigh

For song and mother-croon of bird

In hushed and happy twilight, heard —

The treble of heaven's harmony —

These things he plants, who plants a tree.

What does he plant? Who plants a tree?          

He plants cool shade and tender rain,

And seed and bud of days to be,

And years that fade and flush again;

He plants the glory of the plain;

He plants the forest's heritage;

The harvest of a coming age;

They joy that unborn eyes shall see —

These things he plants, who plants a tree.

What does he plant? Who plants a tree?          

He plants, in sap and leaf and wood,

In love of home and loyalty

And far-cast thought of civic good —

His blessing on the neighbourhood

Who in the hollow of His hand

Holds all the growth of all our land —

A nation's growth from sea to sea

Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.

Nishan Karki

Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

Unleashing Destruction - Tenzin Dakar

PC- ICAN

"Contemplating Consequences: The Atomic Bomb Decision"

These words are a paraphrase of Bhagavad Gita 11:32. This quote was from the now-famous scientist who built the weapon which tore apart the very fabric of weaponization and warfare. 

Such regret can be inferred from these words, as felt by its own creator. If I were the one to make the decision to drop the atomic bomb, I would never do it because it was a very deadly weapon that not only killed thousands of people but also destroyed land and property. 

Many people lost their family, friends, and homes, and even after so many years, the drastic effects of the radiation persist. To oppose Japanese tyranny in the southeastern countries and to bring an abrupt end to the world war, such an excuse was used to satiate their revenge and to redeem their hurt ego. Morality was thrown aside by such insidious and malevolent intent fueled by fear and rage. 

The fruits of the war were not to be borne by the people for the sickening acts of the militants. They could have solved the situation by building friendly relationships with each other and in many other ways, but dropping a deadly bomb was not necessary.

Tenzin Dakar 
Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

Consequences of Actions - Pasang Sherpa

"The Ripple Effect of Actions: A Lesson in Consequences"

You threw water on the floor and did not clean it. Later on, as you walked past that same spot, your feet slipped on the wet surface, causing you to fall. 

This unfortunate event is the direct consequence of your earlier action. It serves as a stark reminder that every action we take, no matter how seemingly insignificant, carries consequences. These consequences can range from simple inconveniences to potentially life-threatening situations. 

By pausing to consider the potential outcomes of our actions, we can avoid unnecessary pitfalls and navigate our paths with greater care and wisdom.

Pasang Sherpa
Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

Soulful Illumination - Aati Pema

PC- Ati Pema

"Soulful Illumination: The Essence of Kindness and Genuineness"

"Kindness is defined as one who is considerate towards others through their sympathetic actions. Kindness in itself is a charitable action as it's selfless, where one keeps one's self-consciousness aside. When one shows kindness, we become honest to ourselves and this genuineness embodies the warmth of the human soul. Here kindness is the torch which burns in the dark and a person's genuineness embodies the warmth and light. 

Kindness promotes genuineness, which is what makes the connection between two souls. This is why mercy is said to be nectar to those who give and receive, as it is also a way in life to show kindness. So kindness is actually not defined just by being considerate of others. But it is any compassionate act done with a genuine empathetic spirit. Though I have said it to be a selfless act in the paragraphs above, it still raises our self-esteem throughout our lives with every act of such selfless service.

"That light we see is burning in my hall. How far that little candle throws his beams!" - Portia (William Shakespeare)"

Aati Pema
Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

Embracing the Essence: Mridul Maheshwari

A Reflection on Theodore Roosevelt's Wisdom and Gurunanak Travels

"Do what you can with what you have and where you are." This wonderful quote by Theodore Roosevelt means that we should do everything possible with whatever we have and wherever we are.

After reading a chapter, we watched the second episode of "Guru Nanak Travels" narrated by Mr Amardeep Singh. The episode is titled "Shafaf Khayal." The reflection from this episode was that peace and solace are always within us and not in any specific place.

"Journey Within: Finding Peace and Purpose"?

Mridul Maheshwari
Class-IX
Sunbeam Hostel Lahartara