Man on the bus

Khevna Pankaj, AGS Gur, XII

It was a normal day for Sasha. As usual, she boarded the bus home, scanning the familiar faces. Her eyes searched for him—the man in the old, frayed blazer who carried a suitcase with the school’s logo stamped on the side. He was a fixture on her daily commute, as much a part of her routine as the ride itself.
Every day, he’d greet the passengers with the same warmth and light-hearted jokes. But today was different. He wasn’t in his usual seat by the window. Instead, he sat hunched in the last row. The spark in his eyes was missing. The air around him felt heavier.
Sasha chose a seat near the front, stealing glances through the reflection in the bus window. Finally, she stood up and walked toward him. “Hello. How are we today?” she asked softly. He looked up, startled and said, “Great! You?” She tilted her head. “No, not today. How are you really?” “I… I’m fine, really,” he said. The smile flickered, and finally collapsed.
Sasha sat down beside him.“My son and my ex-wife moved away today,” he said quietly, almost as if confessing to a stranger was easier than admitting it to himself. He cleared his throat and shifted. “What’s your name?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“Sasha. And yours?” “Dave.”
“I’m sorry, Dave. I never asked your name before.” She paused. “Why did your family move?”
Words spilled out like rain from a long-gathered storm. He told her about the separation, about the custody battles that drained both his wallet and his spirit. About the landlord’s notice that arrived that morning—his rent now in question. About waking up and realissing his son wouldn’t be just a few miles away anymore.
Dave was alone. A father without a son. A husband without a wife. He had every reason to be bitter. Yet, every day, he chose joy.
“I’m sorry, Dave,” she whispered. “Looking at you, I never would’ve guessed the storm you carry. But…Those thirty seconds we share every day? They matter to me. You made this bus feel like more than just a ride home.”
Dave’s eyes brimmed. “You have more than just one child,” Sasha said. He swallowed hard. “Sasha, I…” She squeezed his hand.“I know,” she said, echoing his own words back to him with a smile. “You’re better now.”

Safety is for all!

Vivaan Chaudhary, AIS Vasundhara 6, VII B

Step out of the house
Make sure it is safe
Lack of safety rules
Makes for a bad case
Taking risk is bad
And unnecessary too
Know the rules well
Guide them through

Learn the signals and
Stop, look, and cross
Zebra crossing helps
To take you across
Attend to the sounds
Horns, shouts, and all
Don’t play on roads
Unless you want to fall

Ride your bicycle but
In a lane that is paved
Wear bright clothes
To be seen and safe
Walk on the pavement
Always use sidewalks
Eyes on the road
Do not just gawk

Strap on your seatbelts
When in a moving car
Don’t stick your hand out
Unless you want a scar
Mind the crossroads
Do not ever rush
Watch the blind spots
Vehicles may gush

Be alert on the road
As accidents hurt
Don’t happen slowly
But quickly in a spurt
So, take the dare
Make everyone aware
Whether big or small
Safety is for all.

It’s Me

KNOW ME
My name: Ishita Singh
My Class: I
My school: AIS VYC Lko
My birthday: February 20

MY FAVOURITES
Teacher: Shivani Pathak ma’am
Subject: EVS
Friend: Shambhavi
Game: Football 
Cartoon: Masha & the Bear
Food: Pizza
Mall: Lulu Mall
Book: Jungle book

MY DREAMS AND GOALS
Hobby: Colouring and craft making
I like: Skating
I dislike: Teasing others
My role model: My mother
I want to become: An engineer
I want to feature in GT because:
I want to be
recognised
and appreciated
for who I am.

Jokey Pokey

Atharv Singh Chauhan
AIS Vasundhara 1, V A

Q. Why don’t the circus lions eat the clowns?
A. Because they taste funny!
 
Q. Which is the laziest mountain to exist?
A. Mt Ever(r)est
 
Q. Why couldn’t the skeleton go to school?
A. His heart just wasn’t in it.
 
Q. What do you get from a pampered cow?
A. Spoiled milk!