A mouse-terious tale

Small Paws And Big Legends - The Myth, The Mouse

Akshita Rathore, AIS MV, X C

They always say that curiosity killed the cat, but who escaped? Squeaks! This is me, Nibbles. And I’m no average mouse, rather also an explorer, survivor, lab legend, and mythology’s unsung sidekick. I have outlived a multiplicity of cats, starred in cheesy- peesy cartoons, and got you passed in science tests… did you forget those mice experiments?
I belong to order Rodentia, and my family’s name is Muridae. Cool name, right? I exist since the days of the Egyptian Civilisation… yes that old! My grandma once told me that her friends were really sneaky and adventurous! They went to the Pyramid of Giza many times, for carrying out the mission to steal wheat as their motto was - a little mouse adventure never hurts anyone!
And why just Egypt, my connections, just like my little paws, are spread wide across the world. In Indian mythology, I am revered for being the Vahana of Lord Ganesha. In fact, I was once a celestial musician named Krauncha. Oh, my lord mouse! I have so many names. So, what I did was that I annoyed a sage slightly (big mistake), got cursed, and turned into a rodent. I am still grooving though, now with a better sense of direction and divine GPS.
And then there’s my Greek connect. The Greek God Apollo was not just sun and songs. He was the Mouse-Siah (as we call him) but humans call him Apollo Smintheus - the mouse god. Back then, Mice were a symbol of both plague and healing, and temples honoured us for our mysterious powers. Do you feel even the tiniest bit mouse-merised?
No wonder, I am the Hollywood’s go-to guy. The mice there have quite a few ‘tails’ to share - like Mickey Mouse who is the face of a Global Empire. Or Stuart Little who wore better suits than most of the humans, and Remy from Ratatouille who could cook circles around any celebrity chef. Fievel, Jerry, Geronimo Stilton, Despereaux, and the great mouse detective, Basil, all are an addition to this long legacy.
Before you brush me off as all fiction and myth, allow me to reign you in on my scientific genes – which are 98% like that of humans, a-mouse-ing right? We have the same basic body plan as brain, lungs, heart, and little emotions (just like me). Barely surprising then that we face same diseases - diabetes, cancer, and anxiety (yes, we get stressed about cheese and bread). Call me small, but I’m of genetically large importance. I have helped in studies on memory, addiction, intelligence, and genetic disorders.
And yet our fate remains intermittently mice-erable - we’re prodded, poked, tested, injected, genetically modified, and even poisoned, all for eating a few clothes. Not  fair! We don’t ask for much, just a crumb, a quiet corner, and a little less poison. So, next time, if me or any of my companions visit your kitchen, don’t scream. Now that you know so much about me, my friends, relatives, and ancestors, when someone says “Ew, a mouse!” tell them “It’s Mus Musculus and they are just mouse-ing around!” Nibbles promise? Yay, Nibbles Promise!

Motivation snoozed?

It’s Time To Try Momentum And Give Chance To Patience

Bhavana Iyer, XII E & Krishna Singh, XII B, AIS Noida

Ever felt like your motivation hit the  perpetual snooze button and never got up? Congratulations, you have officially joined the Slump Club. One minute you’re taking a break when suddenly, you’re staring at over twenty undone tasks and empty water bottle; falling behind on things you once handled with ease. All alone, you scroll endlessly through reels only to wake up with two hours to finish what your parents had asked. Your excuses become your only creative moments. Slumps are like buffering, but we cannot just wait them out.

Momentum over motivation
Waiting for motivation won’t help. Start with something ridiculously easy: get out of bed and into fresh clothes. You don’t need to become someone who wakes up at 5 am and nags themselves all day, which just leads to headaches and exhaustion. Begin with any small and doable task: finish one topic from a subject you like. Don’t fancy schoolwork? Sit with it for at least two minutes. Breathe through it, use every last bit of your willpower. If you can’t continue, take a break. Return to it for two minutes again. Repeat. It may eventually stick.
One at a time
Don’t try to tick off everything at once. Start with two tasks, then grow your list gradually. Your days will feel more productive. Add small wins, like greeting the neighbour, watering the neglected plants, or brushing your teeth. No need for big social plans yet. Just reconnect in small ways: catch up with a friend, sit with your mom over evening chai and listen to her day. Be around people. Slumps worsen in silence, so embrace the noises - kids screaming, sibling rivalries, and friendly debates. Stay connected to life.

Understand yourself
The slump means you need a break. It’s like hitting snooze on your alarm. Though it may feel endless, it’s only temporary. Accept that you need this time and trust that you will get back up. Life’s not a Bollywood movie; no dramatic glow-up is needed. Give yourself time, be patient with yourself. Rock bottom is quite alright, you’re still fine.