I am important

Pen Or Pencil, Which One’s Your Favourite?

Angad Gautam, AIS Gur 46, X H

We have all time and again come across the saying that “pen is mightier than the sword”, and while it may be the case, the real question is if the inked tool really as strapping as its stationery counterpart, the peerless pencil. Though, having managed to stir the geometry box for eons, the two with their own set of sharp and blunt points have made it just about impossible for the papyrophiliacs out there to reach a conclusion, we would still give the discussion a go and try and settle the centuries old debate once and for all. Who do you think would competently wield the spectre at long last? Read on and know for yourself.  

The 2022-23 Stationery Awards in progress…
Pencil: I am beyond grateful to be able to receive this huge honour of being the best stationery. For the same, I would like to thank-
Pen (cutting it off): I don’t think you need to thank anyone for an award that you are clearly robbing me of. What do you have that I don’t?
Pencil: Not the proprietorial pen again, God! Though I am in no way answerable to you, but, for starters, I, unlike you, am a slender tube of wood. Slender is the keyword here! Plus, in case you don’t know, I am solid at my core. Graphite, anyone? Yes, that solid carbon is what my insides are made of, so back off.
Pen: Well, even with my plastic body, I am 100% more attractive than you. And if strength’s the criterion, let’s talk about my writing tip that has the distinction of being made of brass, an alloy of zinc and copper, known for its strength, appeal, and resistance to corrosion. Talk about being stylish and long lasting, unlike your ‘solid core’ that keeps breaking at every chance it gets. If anything, you should be sued for making such false claims.
Pencil: Sued? Well, I am here since the 1790s. Nicholas-Jacques Conte, a scientist serving in the army of Napoleon Bonaparte, is the man behind my invention. Put some respect on my name.
Pen (booing): I can only laugh because my forefather, the reed pen, was invented by the Egyptians way back in 3000 BC. So, check for facts before you make such statements and save yourself the embarrassment.
Pencil: But that won’t change the fact that you don’t give people the chance to erase or correct their mistakes. Guess who’s winning at life!
Pen: Umm... you, for one, deserve to be erased out of existence *laughs*
Pencil: And is that what you call a clap back?
Pen: No, that just shows I don’t need facts to trump you, my fame alone is enough. Remember how NASA created a space pen, not pencil, because your weak tips have this weird habit of floating in air without much substance within. Besides, you think you can compete with the countless varieties I come in? Lamy, Montblanc International, Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman - ever heard of these luxury brands that produce me? Well, you wish!
Pencil: Say what you want but just know that the kids love me and prefer me over you. These so called luxury brands don’t matter then!
Pen: I am sorry to break it to you but the kids are forced to use you.
Geometry box: Oh, stop fighting for God’s sake! Chhotte bachhe ho kya? You are both important to me and to the kids, and what is this contest? You think I’ll let a stupid contest decide who’s the best when you are both equally important for me? Stop with this stupidity and focus on working together for the greater good of everyone.
And that’s how the said awards got scrapped for ever!

Exam stress pe charcha

Some Suggestions To Beat The Board Exam Stress

Ashmita Karmakar
AIS Noida, IX F

If you ask me, “Ashmita, when do you feel stressed out?” I am most likely to reply cheekily, “All the time!”. You will then say, “Granted, but when are you the ‘most’ stressed?” I would now reply in an honest, serious tone, “The times when I feel absolutely zero stress are the times that I am the most stressed”. There I said it!
As a student, I practically drive myself to take stress. I either feel like I am not doing enough or that I am taking the task lightly, especially if it is a task I don’t feel burdened by. The stress sustains itself in a cycle, it may grow and ebb, but it never dies. Here is how it goes: First, I get stressed about things such as impending tests, assignments, projects, etc. Then comes the interesting part where I divide an entire month into stress periods for each stress task. Finally, I start taking the real stress, which is about the time that got wasted in stressing out. The month is over but the stress cycle is not. I can simply do the work and study, but I decide to take stress instead. At this rate, I should put it as a subject in my schedule just like Math or Hindi. Since stress wins a larger chunk of my time compared to my main subjects, it surely deserves this respect, doesn’t it now?
Frankly, taking stress is much easier than doing the actual work. While tensing ourselves out, we give ourselves excuses as to why we cannot start the work, or why we cannot complete it, but doing the actual work leaves us with no such choice. It’s human nature to choose easy over hard. So, is there a lesson in this? Well, the answer is quite simple. Do not take stress and do the work. If you are ‘pariksha’-stressed, the solution is to study. If you are ballet-stressed, the remedy is to brisé. If you are basketball-stressed, the cure is to dribble. If you are ‘Ctrl-V’-stressed, the key is to command ‘Ctrl-X’. And if you are work-stressed, the only elixir, the only ‘amrut’ is to work hard.

Rake in that review

Book: Hamnet
Author: Maggie O’Farrell
Published in: 2020
Genre: Historical fiction

Synopsis: Set in the late 16th century, the novel follows the life (and death) of Hamnet, the son of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes, who passed away in 1596 as a victim of the bubonic plague. The writer takes us through the events that took place prior to, during, and after Hamnet’s death, and brings to life his story with a non-linear narration where chapters alternate between the past and present. The novel as such is divided into two parts- Part I which is subdivided into chapters and ends with Hamnet’s death, and Part II which is written entirely in one flow and begins with the events that take place immediately after Hamnet’s death. It can be interpreted that this choice was made by the author to provide a parallel to the unending nature of Agnes’s grief.
Why is it worth reading: The descriptions are evocative and lyrical which allow the story to flow as smoothly. Plus, despite being the father of the novel’s protagonist, Shakespeare is never referred to by his name, so as to not draw attention away from the overwhelming emotion laced throughout. The author has paid utmost attention to detail in an astonishing way. Be it Agnes’s childhood, Hamnet’s worry about his twin sister Judith who has taken ill, the Bard’s job as a Latin tutor before he went on to become a famous playwright, every event and emotion has been perfected to a tee. Go give it a read and see for yourself.
Iconic quote: “What is given may be taken away, at any time. Cruelty and devastation wait for you around corners, inside coffers, behind doors: they can leap out at you at any moment, like a thief or brigand.”
Rating: 
Review by: Ishanya Sharma
AIS Gur 43, XII A