Finding the right words

Teesta Chakraborty, AIS Pushp Vihar, XI F

It was a steamy May afternoon and Anand hadn’t slept a wink. In addition to the heat and the sombre presence of bugs, he was disturbed by the silence in his surroundings. For it pierced through Anand’s mind and body, and made him realise the loss of his mother who passed away in a sudden car accident. As Anand closed his eyes and tried to sleep once again, a flashback of the scene came in front of his eyes and tears rolled down his cheeks uncontrollably. Unfortunately, this time there was no one to wipe the tears and console him.  He frequently attempted to remember what she had said to him right before she passed, but he could not muster the courage to recall the last moments of his mother. The incident was so sudden and quick that Anand wasn’t himself after the tragedy happened.
Feeling restless, Anand gently got out of bed and walked towards the window for some fresh air. Instead, he found himself staring at the album on his desk that he had perused a thousand times after the demise of his mother. There were countless images of his mother alongside him. He grasped it and cranked it open, turning the pages in quick successions. The photographs brought back pleasant recollections of his cherished youth. Long walks on the beach with his mother, his ninth birthday when she prepared him a dinosaur-shaped chocolate cake, summer trips to his grandparents’ house, and countless other experiences.
After going through the album, Anand picked up his phone and searched for the randomly recorded videos of his mother, all in a hope to listen her voice. He played the videos one by one and found the one he had made last year on his mother’s birthday. Looking at his mother all joyful and laughing while cutting the cake, he couldn’t control his laughter. Anand laughed wholeheartedly for the first time in the last four months. The video also showed his mother saying, “Thank you, my son. You’ve made my life so beautiful and complete. Always be happy, and live life to the utmost.” The words ringed an echo in Anand’s mind and he realised what she had meant. All he could now see was his mother’s smile and feel the warmth of her love around him. For once he felt relieved and decided to change his way of looking at things. In that very moment, Anand broke the silence surrounding him and eventually fell asleep soundly for the first time in a very long time. He woke up feeling refreshed and happy, shining with recollections of his mother.

Yoga: Making India global

Harshita Pareek, AIS Vas 6, XII C

Years ago, I became a globe trotter
And lived life like a cool Bohemian
I worked for Deloitte in Chicago 
I researched at NASA in the US
And appeared pompous in every task

Yet I silently celebrated my Indianness
By remembering desi sadhus and yogis
Whose art of living I carried everywhere
When my limbs folded and stretched
And sinews froze while doing Vipassana

I found myself one with the entire universe
I was in sync with myself and the world
So what? If I am not living in my country
I carry a mini-Bharat with me everywhere
By practicing the ancient tradition of yoga.

(The above poem composed by Harshita was declared ‘Best national entry’ during CBSE’s online literary event ‘Expression Series’ on the topic ‘Yoga for fitness’.)

Riddle Fiddle

Anandini Mehta, AIS Saket, X B

1. With pointed fangs I sit and wait. With piercing force, I crunch out of fate. What am I?
2. I have lakes with no water, mountains with no stone, and cities with no buildings. What am I?
3. I go through the cities and fields, but I never move. What am I?
4. I can fill a room but take up no space. What am I?
5. People make me, save me, change me, and raise me. What am I?
6. Give me food and I will live, but give me water and I will die. Who am I?
7. You answer me even though I never ask you any questions. Who am I?
8. You serve me but cannot eat me. Who am I?

Answers: 1. A stapler 2. A map 3. A road 4. Light
5. Money 6. Fire 7. Doorbell
8. Tennis ball