Shishukunj

Denmark Exchange

Aliya Sheikh, Class X A

In the beginning of 2014, I was introduced to AFS. I was really interested in the idea of going abroad for a few months and learning about a new culture. The experience ended up being more than just a vacation; it became one of the best and most memorable parts of my life that has helped me grow and discover what I want in life.

It was a one month school program in Denmark where subjects such as language/cultural skills and science are combined with challenging and creative profile courses. All the participants took part in social activities, excursions and cooked and dined together. In addition to the AFS participants there were a large number of international and Danish young people at the School. The School therefore provided ample opportunities for sharing intercultural experiences and exploring exciting and challenging activities together with young people from all over the world. I also took part in exciting intercultural activities together with Danish and international participants.

I can still remember the first day when we all met at the airport. David and Richard were there to welcome the three groups from India, Thailand and Indonesia. We were 16 students in total. Then we went to our school, Ranum Efterskole College. Ranum Efterskole College is the global department of Ranum Efterskole, which is an International boarding school for learners between the ages of 14 and 18. We all went for a small tour of the school campus and Ranum. My time spent in the school was the best. I made many new Danish friends without whom my experience would not have been so meaningful.

We also went for an excursion to Copenhagen which is the capital city of Denmark. Our trip was for 5 days with some of the Chinese students and our teacher Mette. We visited National Museum, Folketinget, Little Mermaid, Rosenborg Slot and many more famous places. We even went to watch a Ballet Show at the Royal Theatre and for shopping we went to Nyhavn shopping street.

After our trip to Copenhagen I was with my host family for a week and enjoyed a lot with them. I didn’t realize how much I’d grown to love them as a family until my exchange days were coming to an end. When it dawned on me that I might not see the people I have lived with–the people who have treated me like a daughter and a sister–was so heart-breaking that I cried.

Once back at school, we had a packed schedule. I attended classes for Danish, English, Business, PE and Danish History. We also had sports and evening activities like skateboarding, cycling, girls boxing and volleyball. The students of the three countries also worked on a wall painting showcasing our distinct cultures.

The most beautiful thing about the experience was how one can feel so strongly about others in such a short period of time. As different as people from different countries can be, from the language we speak, the food we eat, and the way we think, we still have the capacity to accept one another like our own if only we allow ourselves to do so. The exchange changed the way I look at people and their differences. I believe that the kindness I have seen during my exchange in Denmark was only a fraction of what is out there in the world. I would like to thank AFS and my school for providing me such a golden opportunity.

Tak !

The Sitlakhet Caper

Bhakti Badlani, Class IX E

It is rightly said that experiences change our lives and they do matter in the most ways. Even the smallest of an experience can turn the perspective of people’s way to look at oneself and the future ahead. And so here I am to share one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

Being out for ten days only, with people who I had never met (no contact with others), can be said, was the most terrific experience I have ever had. I had been to Sitlakhet, a place in Uttarakhand. Though I had never heard of the place nor had I ever been to a proper camp site before, I was highly charged and was eagerly looking forward to the trip. We took a train from Delhi to a place in Uttarakhand. During this journey I met people from different cities and some even from different countries. Interacting with different people and knowing about them was just very stupefying.

After a six hour long journey, we reached the campsite, a very cool but quite ‘to-be’ place. At the camp, we lived in tents. While, for two days we went and lived, rather survived in the jungle! In that particular outdoor survival we had to find a suitable campsite for ourselves with the help of a map and a compass, which was a fun activity. Thereafter in the survival we cooked for ourselves and also made our own fire using flint. After returning to camp, we rode mountain bikes. We were trained on high hilltops in the coldest of weather. I know you won’t believe but I fell over forty times while riding, and I did hurt myself in the most dreaded ways. The last day was very different from the rest, we had a talent and DJ night and the next day we left for New Delhi.

Learning with different people has helped me grow and come out as a person. Now when I look at the deep scars, it reminds me of all the ecstatic memories of Sitlakhet. Oh! I miss it so much.

Making Friends

Disha Gupta, Class VI D

Making friends is a pleasure,

A friend is like treasure.

Friendship is a unique bond,

Throwing stones together in a pond.

A friend is like a sun,

Each day is full of fun.

Together they make different relations,

Paper planes, paper boats, all new creations.

Together friends are always cool,

Playing together in the pool.

A friend is like pure gold,

Who can never be sold.

Time

Mishi Jain, Class VII F

Time! Time! Time!

It makes a perfect rhyme.

People who follow time,

Are always able to digest their chyme.

Like a juice of fresh lime

Is this time.

It finishes fast,

For the people who are last.

Time waits for none,

Not even a single one.

You move according to time,

And you will shine.

Disrespecting time

Can be called a crime.

Conscience’s Thought

Swasti Solanki, Class IX D

I read the following story in the column ‘The Speaking Tree’ of Times of India.

King Rishabh had a hundred sons. Bharat, one of his sons, had conquered kingdoms of 98 of his brothers. Bahubali was 99^th. Bahubali was stronger and more powerful than Bharat. The brother fought and Bahubali won. The angry Bahubali raised his arms to strike his brother when he stopped. ‘Would I kill my brother for a kingdom?’ This moment of stillness is called the Bahubali moment – when the conscience questions itself whether the step to be taken is correct or not.

Inspired by this story, I have written the following poem.

When the swords arose, and death was close

The sturdy thought, ‘Should I let him go?’

The sin was waiting for its presence to be seen

When all held their breath,

The result was shortly to be revealed.

It is said that only the dead fish go with the flow

In the silence of fear, only the raging wind could dare to blow.

To kill a brother, for a kingdom’s sake,

Would mean love all those years was fake.

Would he favour the values, or commit the sin

The question arose, ‘Who would win?’

Ended the fear of defeat and death

When the stronger dropped his sword

And the weaker lost his breath.

Looking Through

Art by Alefiya Havelivala, Class X D

Mother’s Love

Siddhant Dubey, Class X A

It’s not just love that’s in those gifts

It contains a medicine that heals rifts

It signifies the unbreakable bond

Of their mother, the children so fond.

It gives her immense pleasure

Because in front of her are two beautiful treasures.

They don’t say a word, neither does she

Because it’s not the words but the love they see.

She hugs the small one and kisses her elder

It’s the love in the heart that she renders.

Her eyes become moist

It’s a flag they hoist

About the one ‘unbreakable bond’.

They hold each other tight

She doesn’t let any of them out of her sight.

Because it’s them she loves the most,

Even more than her own life

Because they are her brightest stars.

And it’s just pure love that has no bars

She has held them close, one nudges, the other shifts

Because it’s not just love in those gifts

But a medicine that heals rifts.

Live to Forgive

Jivyaa Vaidya, Class IX C

Live to forgive all sins,

All mistakes, all bad things.

Whether it be one of your kins,

Or be it one who has hurt your feelings.

Live to forgive so that you may,

Live without any regrets about something you did not say,

Just open your mouth and say, it is okay.

Live to forgive so that you make

An unhappy and regretful soul joyful

Instead of answering back with something foul.

Live to forgive so that there lives no more

Bitter, bad feelings in the heart.

Forgive, be it at school or the sea shore

Or in a supermarket discount store.

Live to forgive anywhere and anyday

And let the person live his life in wellness.

If you don’t, the person will regret everyday

And will lose some of his life’s happiness.

Live to forgive and teach others the same

To forgive people, to be happy and make others happy.

But practice what you preach, don’t treat it as a game

And try your best to not let a soul regret or be unhappy.

What is Life all About?

Divy Singhal, Class IX E

Life is a rollercoaster ride. It is thrilling, full of experiences and choices. Life gives us chances but if we don’t take advantage of these chances, life moves ahead.

Life is also full of obstacles and because of them, sometimes, we come to a point of risk. But life heals itself, gains wellness and regains health.

Life shows compassion, i.e. sympathy and concern for others. Safety is life’s main concern and kindness, the main motto.

Life loves to love everyone, to forgive others. Life understands the importance of home as it sees many without homes.

Life supports overcoming helplessness that man carries in his heart, the sadness that he feels and the bad times he has.

Life is about sharing everything with people – our joys as well as our sorrows – the achievements and the rewards we’ve received.

Life is a full blend of happiness, sorrow, adventure and risks.

Life cares for its loved ones. We should never consider life as a burden and never think of getting rid of it. No one should sacrifice their life because of failure.

Life is about accepting challenges.

Life is a gift from the almighty and it comes to us only once. So we should enjoy it, learn to preserve it and do everything we can in the only one life we have because once lost, it will never return to us.

How to Eat Fried Beetles

Anshay Saboo, Class VIII A

Let’s just say I’m a bit squeamish. When my little sister spilled her bean and cheese burrito all over herself, I threw up. When I saw a public restroom, I tossed my cookies. When I got the news that I was moving to a new town, called Chan Francis Co (San Francisco, as I now realize), I vomited (I don’t know why, I guess it’s just a reflex action these days.)

I guess it’s time for an introduction. My name is Mathew Oliver Johnson. You can call me Moose. I lived in a quiet little town called Irvine. And city life was NOT for me.

Cows or cars? I’d choose cows. Wood or steel? I’d go with wood. Sizzling home-cooked bacon or a burger? Definitely bacon. But my father was transferred and I had no choice but to move with the family.

I’m writing this on my third day at my new school and I’m already a celebrity. If you want to know why, a clue may be in the title of this story. So, I was sitting in my classroom called 7^th Grade Stars (Ugh! Such a cheesy name) with this jock named ‘Big Boy’. He’s the middle-school bully and he’s serving me iced tea. Want to know why? It’s all about the story of how we met ≈≈ (those wavy lines are me having a flashback but you can’t see it, so I’ve written it down here.)

I was biking through the alleys behind my house with my new friend Danny when three huge [and I mean huge {really huge! (you know when you’re nesting brackets, you have to use these things. I picked up in math class)}] boys blocked our path. I tried to look intimidating. But would you be intimidated by a scrawny seventh-grade kid with orangish hair, freckles and braces? (I don’t think so). The biggest of the pack (who just turned out to be ‘Big Boy’) parked his bike and walked over to me.

“Hey guys, check out this fresh meat!” said the Big guy (I’ll call him Big Bug for now.)

The other two (who I will call Tweedledum and Tweedledee), grabbed me and Danny and pushed us against the wall.

“Lokee here! You know this is our territory. This territory belongs to the tornadoes.” (They should have called themselves the tea bugs; they were always getting into hot water.)

“I just moved here,” I said heroically (okay I overdid it.)

Bug Bug’s face lit up. “Wonderful! Then we can give you the normal Friso welcome!

His eyes narrowed on a plank of rotting wood with maggots crawling all over, in and out, on the soft green tufts of fungus (I think the description’s enough)

Tweedledum and Tweedledee snickered as Big Bug grabbed the wood and selected the biggest, fattest maggot of the pack. He thrust it in my face.

“Eat it,” he commanded, laughing.

I gulped. The slimy thing was wriggling around. Just the sight of it made me want to throw up. I leaned forward and opened my mouth to throw up…

*Warning: Do not read the rest of this story if you have eaten anything in the last 24 hours. Actually, don’t read if you wish to eat again.*

… and got a mouthful of beetle.

“Gahh!” I screamed.

The little grub felt like a slime ball in my mouth. I tried to spit it out, but Tweedledum had clasped a hand over my mouth. Trying to keep my intestines where they belong, I chewed and swallowed. It wasn’t actually that bad!

I walked over to the plank and grabbed another and popped it in my mouth.

“Yum!” I said.

Big Bug fell to his knees in front of me. “I will serve you,” he said.

“As you wish,” I said. “Now bring me a smoothie!” (And why not?)

So now I’m sitting with my feet on the table with Big Bug serving me iced tea and Tweedledum and Tweedledee fanning me. I guess city life won’t be so bad after all.

(I guess you’re disappointed you didn’t get to learn how to eat beetles, but I bet you were entertained!)