Spinning Threads of Change

What if changing the world didn’t always require a big speech or a grand act? What if it could begin with something as small as telling the truth, choosing kindness or walking away from a fight?

When we talk about Gandhiji, his round spectacles, walking stick and spinning wheel are some of the few things that immediately come to mind. But beyond these familiar symbols lies something far more meaningful—his values of truth, kindness and non-violence.

In today’s times, children are growing up in a world where fights, hatred and wars are increasingly difficult to escape. They may see or hear about conflicts without knowing how to make sense of them, how to respond or whom to turn to with their questions and fears. And when these thoughts remain unspoken, children may be left to make sense of a complicated world on their own.

As we reflected on this, we realised how important it is to give direction to children so that they make better choices. We wanted to explore this idea in a way that would be simple, engaging and meaningful for young readers. This thought took shape as a verse in the October issue of Highlights Genies magazine.

We wanted to show children that while some values are worth nurturing, others are worth leaving behind. For this verse, we kept the spinning wheel as the focal point where two goat kids are reeling the threads of truth and kindness into the spinning wheel, symbolising the values they choose to nurture within themselves. As they recognise what is good within, they also realise the importance of letting go of what is not. Thus, dishonesty, greed and pride are pulled out from the other side of the spinning wheel.  

The verse reminds us that meaningful change can begin with the small choices we make every day.