Store your valuables safely in this coco-box!
You will need: Two coconut shells, acrylic paints, brushes, sandpaper, glue, zip, pencil
Tip: Stick sequins to make intricate and shiny designs.
How to make it:
1. Pluck all the hairs from the coconut shells. Smoothen the coconut shells using the sandpaper.
2. Apply a coat of white acrylic paint as base. Then apply another coat of bright colour.
3. Draw a design with a pencil. Then paint on the design in another colour.
4. Apply glue on the inner side of a shell. Stick one end of the zip on the shell. The zip should be closed on both sides and open in the middle.
5. Do the same for the inner side of the other coconut shell.
Now you have a place to store your chocolates, coins or jewellery!
Make your own Champak bookmark and send us photos at writetochampak@delhipress.in
Turn your favourite Champakvan characters into bookmarks.
You will Need: Chart paper, foam sheets, acrylic paints, brush, cutter, black sketch pen, magnets,googly eyes, glue, pencils and scissors.
Tip: You can also use your Cheeku bookmark as a fridge magnet.
How to make it:
1. Fold the chart into two. Draw an outline of Cheeku’s head on it and cut it out. You’ll get two cutouts.
2. Stick the top half of the two cutouts. 
3. Paste googly eyes. Make nose and teeth using foam. Draw the mouth, eyebrows and whiskers. Cut out ears and stick them. Stick a magnet on the back of Cheeku’s head and another inside it. 
Your Cheeku bookmark is ready! Place it on the corner of the page of your book!
Make your own Champak bookmark and send us photos at writetochampak@delhipress.in
Stuff:
Do
Take a sheet of cardboard that has a width shorter than the length of the ball pen refill that you have.
Attach two straws on both ends of the sheet using tape.
With the help of an adult, make holes in the centre of two bottle caps big enough for a refill to go through them.
Insert one end of the refill through the straw and attach to a bottle cap as shown. Repeat the step for the second straw.
Take the third straw, put the balloon in it and seal with a tape. Stick the straw vertically across the sheet of cardboard as shown.
Inflate the balloon by blowing in through the straw and cover the open end of the straw with a finger to hold the air in. Then lift the finger and release the car on the floor or any flat surface.
See
When you remove your finger, you will see the air escaping through the straw and pushing the car forward.
Lets Find Out
What is a compressed-air vehicle and how does it work?
Since petrol and diesel are limited resources and their reserves may soon run out, experts are looking at alternative sources of energy to power vehicles. While electric and hydrogenpowered cars are the popular alternatives, car manufacturers are also designing compressedair vehicles (CAV). Much like our little balloon car, the CAV has air stored in a tank, which is released in a controlled manner to move the car forward. While some designs come with a little electric motor that compresses the air and stores it in the tank, other designs involve setting up compressed air stations similar to petrol stations.
Think About
What makes the car move forward?
When the air is released from the balloon, it is squeezed out through the narrow opening of the straw. This builds a lot of pressure causing the air to exit with a lot of force, thereby pushing the car in the opposite direction. It is similar to how when you partially block the opening of water hose, the water gushes out with greater force and travels farther.
By attaching the balloon to the straw, we ensure that the air is released in a controlled manner, which makes the car go in a straight line.
This experiment illustrates physicist Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion which states that, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. Here, the air escaping the balloon is the action, while the car moving in the other direction is the reaction.
When we have to speak or write, we use a language. A language is a system of communication that consists the use of vocal sounds and/or written symbols like alphabets.
Researchers believe that spoken means of communication began around the time Homo sapiens evolved in Africa. Homo sapiens are modern humans who evolved around 2,00,000 years ago and had the modern skull shapes and vocal chords enabling the development of language from sign to oral. Today, there are 2,700 languages with over 7,000 individual dialects spoken around the world.
Researchers say that languages that were spoken before 5th century BC are considered as ancient languages. For example, Ancient Greek and Latin are ancient languages but they are no longer in use. But some old languages like Tamil and Arabic are still alive as they are actively spoken in many parts of the world.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the oldest languages of the world:
Sanskrit- This language is known as a founding language as many other languages spoken in India (like Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam), Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal have evolved from it. Though it is not in popular use as an oral means of communication, it makes up a bulk of our written literature. Interestingly, several villages such as Mattur in Karnataka and Jhiri in Rajasthan are trying to revive the language by using it in their everyday communication.
Did you know?
A Sanskrit daily newspaper called Sudharma has been publishing since 1970 in Mysore.
Chinese– Chinese is the most spoken language in the world—around 16 percent of the world’s population. It is the official language of China, Taiwan and Singapore. Chinese is an umbrella term for a group of about 13 varieties of the Chinese language. The most spoken variety is Mandarin. The first written records of Mandarin appeared over 3,000 years ago. It has served as China’s national language since the 14th century.
Did you know?
There are 50,000 characters in the Chinese language, but you need to know about 2,000 to be able to read a newspaper.
Latin- Latin is an ancient language that was spoken by the Romans in ancient Italy. The earliest record of Latin dates back to the 6th century BC and its script was adapted from the Etruscan alphabet (a variety of Greek alphabet). Some modern languages that are widely spoken today like French, Romanian and Italian evolved from Latin. In fact, 60–70 percent of English words come from Latin. Though it is not in use anymore—except in Vatican City where it is used as the spoken language—Latin is widely used in the scientific and legal community. In Botany, every species is given a Latin name beside a modern one. For example, the Latin name of the rose is Rosa rubiginosa.
Did you know?
Many words used in Science and Medicine were created from Latin words or are Latin words. The word ‘bacteria’ comes from the Latin word bacterium.
Greek- It has the longest documented history of any living language—the language has been in use for 34 centuries, making it the oldest spoken language in Europe. The Greek language consists of 24 letters and the Greeks were the first to add vowels to their written language. The Ancient Greeks were the first Europeans to read and write with an alphabet. The word ‘alphabet’ itself comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet: alfa and beta.
Did you know?
Many English words that start with “ph” have Greek origin. For example, physics, philosophy.
A caterpillar turns into a pupa and then becomes a butterfly. During the metamorphosis stage (the stage where the caterpillar becomes a pupa and is transforming into a butterfly inside the chrysalis or cocoon), the caterpillar does not eat anything. However, before turning itself into a pupa, the caterpillar eats a lot, which helps it survive through the metamorphosis without any food.
When we have eaten too much or when our tummy doesn’t feel good, we sometimes need to take digestive pills to aid digestion. Crocodiles do the same; but instead of pills, they eat stones!
Crocodiles are found all over the world and they live near water bodies such as rivers, lakes and marshes.
They usually feed on small mammals, birds and fish. Some are also known to eat larger mammals like the deer and wild boar. A crocodile crushes its prey with its powerful jaws and then swallows it whole, since it cannot chew or break down its food into smaller pieces. To help digest the food inside its stomach, a crocodile also swallows small stones. The stones break down the food through a mechanical grinding action, thus making it easier for digestion. This also ensures that the crocodile eats the whole prey and not waste any part of it.
A crocodile’s stomach has two parts: the first part is a muscular pouch that stores these stones, where the food is grinded and the second part digests the food with the help of gastric acid.
Some crocodiles swallow stones to add weight so that they can dive deeper, stay underwater for longer periods and maintain balance while swimming.
Technology and kids today is a sight you often see. A toddler holding a tablet, an infant with an iPhone in her mouth, what’s new? At one point, parents have great regard over gadgets as a way to pacify their children and as an entertaining and educational tool. But later on, it becomes an alarming sight.
Apparently, a research from Common Sense Media revealed the exceptional increase of children using gadgets such as smartphones and tablets have increased in just two years. From 38% in 2011, the biannual survey revealed that children below eight year old using mobile devices have gone up to 72% in 2013. Conducted on American parents themselves, the survey further showed the increase of toddlers’ gadget exposure from 10% to 38%. With this, the American Academy of Pediatrics discourage the tech use for children under the age of two saying that it changes the nature of childhood.
On the same year, the University of Wisconsin showed that toddlers are likely to respond better to video screens that initiates interaction, thus the pacifying effect of tablets to children. Common Sense Media founder Jim Seyer explains that these digital gadgets are changing the entire childhood lifestyle, even replacing TVs, toys, playgrounds, and storybooks. “One-year-olds are now walking up to TV screens and swiping them because they think they are tablets,” he said. “They are becoming a part of childhood in ways that were almost inconceivable before.”
Kaiser Family Foundation reports that on average, children are spending almost seven and a half hours staring at screens. Moreover, children are now learning how to use gadgets first even before they could walk or even tie their shoe lace. Most parents who give in to their children’s whims can’t see the effects but governments and experts are calling on families to reduce their toddler’s exposure to these gadgets. What are the effects of modern gadgets on children? Here are ten reasons why modern gadgets impede children development:
1. Drastic Brain Development
During the toddler years, the brain triples in size and continues to develop until adult years. Studies have shown that too much gadgets may negatively affect a child’s brain on its functioning, and may even cause attention deficit, cognitive delays, impaired learning, increased impulsivity, and decreased ability to self-regulation. Smart Parenting advises parents to sing, read, and talk to their children than letting them play or watch TV at home.
2. Oh no! Obesity
Children who rely their playing time in front of screens rather than outside in the playgrounds do not burn the calories they take in. One in three U.S. children is obese, which may lead to complications such as diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Parents must encourage their kids to play more. They must understand that there are many benefits of playing including having their children walk, run, jump and get the exercise they need. Children get fit at the playgrounds and build relationships. The Parents Zone encourages parents to expose their kids more into physical activity then inculcate technology in the later years of their kids for a healthier lifestyle as they grow.
3. Violence
Most parents have noticed that their kids learn to be aggressive due to long hours of playing games in their tablets. Tantrums are the most common form of aggressiveness among toddlers. As they grow older, children who are addicted to computer games are more likely to confront and disobey their elders. So as early as today, instead of relying on tablets to quiet down your little dynamo, opt for coloring books or balls. Take charge of your child today and know more about their behavioral changes with Janet Lehman.
4. Radiation Exposure
According to the 2011 report of the World Health Organization, cellphones and other wireless devices are considered category 2B risk because of their radiation emission. In December 2013, Dr. Anthony Miller from the University of Toronto’s School of Public Health revealed that radio frequency exposure is clearly a threat to children. Healthy Child Healthy World acknowledges this rising radiation issue among children and gives tips on protecting your child from these harmful gadgets.
5. Reduced Interaction
By playing on tablets, they could easily play on their own. In an article published in The New York Times, Dr. Gary Small, author of “iBrain:Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind” and director if the Longevity Center at the University of California says that if children spend too much time on technology and less time with people, it hinders interaction and disrupts the normal communication skill development on children. In a family set-up, toddlers often fail to improve on their communication with their parents since they surround themselves with inanimate objects. Others copy and inherit the skill of talking from TV but fail when socializing with other people.
6. Sleep Deprivation
Children who get addicted to playing on their phones or tablets miss out on the needed rest. On other occasions, playing on their tablets becomes their sleeping pill. Without it, they become grumpy and aggressive. The Sleep Lady explains signs whether your toddler is suffering sleep deprivation and tips that you could do to help your toddler have a good night’s sleep.
7. No Exposure To Nature
Gadgets are killing the development of a child. Instead of getting out and learning the ways of the world, running and socializing with other kids, they would rather stay at home and play on their computer. Some parents who are overprotective find technology as helpful since they know that the safety of their child at home is secured. However, they fail to realize that the child is estranged from the natural world of plants, animals, lakes, and sky. Toddlers should be able to throw a ball, hop, skip, jump, run, call a friend by names, among others. Learn more about toddler milestones from Babycentre. This is one of the benefits of playing outside in playgrounds, they learn a lot from interaction, socialization, nature’s beauty, and life itself.
8. Damaged Eyesight
Prolonged exposure at computer screens strains the eyes. Experts say that good eyesight largely depends upon staring at things of varying distances. Research shows that children who are addicted to playing computer games are more likely to develop eye problems as they grow. Vision shares more insight on how computer gaming affects the eyes of children.
9. Addiction
If parents continue to feed the whims of their children, they are allowing addiction to grow. Parents must expose their children to the rest of the world rather than leaving them at home with their gadgets. WebMD explains how computers and gadgets are addictive. Instead of getting them addicted to such technologies, they should be exposed to activities that promote mental, physical, and emotional development.
Despite numerous studies revealing the negative effects of modern gadgets on children, some experts are still positive about the rise of technology. University of Wisconsin assistant professor, Heather Kirkorian says that touch screens could hold educational potential for toddlers. Being an expert on child development, “Kids who are interacting with the screen get better much faster, make fewer mistakes and learn faster. But we’re not turning them into geniuses, just helping them get a little more information,” she explains.
Technology should be encouraged and yet moderated. It is a new generation and kids should get the right amount of knowledge over such advancements. However, parents must perform their responsibility of protecting their child. While there is still time, introduce a new habit of playing outdoors and interesting games with kids of his age.
Sanju was unhappy. Her grandmother had come to stay with her family, and Sanju had to give up her study room for her grandmother to use.
Sanju was upset because it was not just her study room, it was where she spent most of her time listening to music, playing, dancing or relaxing with a book. A lot of her precious stuff was in that room. Now, what was she going to do? Why had Uncle Rajesh left Granny with them?
Granny lived with Uncle Rajesh in their ancestral home. Sanju had met Granny only a few times as her parents hardly found time to pay them a visit.
To Sanju, Granny was an old person, who was ill and confined to a wheelchair. “What would she know about the current generation?” thought Sanju. Whenever Granny tried to talk to her, Sanju would promptly make her escape.
As days passed, Granny kept to herself in the room and spent most of the day listening to music in her old tape recorder. Sanju did not make any effort to talk to her, despite her parents’ insistence, and went to her room only if she wanted to get any of her things.
One day, Sanju was watching her favourite cartoon show, when the music from Granny’s room distracted her. It was a classical song that she was familiar with, as her dance teacher had just taught her a routine set to that song. The song was being played again and again.
“Ma, why is Granny playing that song again and again?” Sanju whined to her mother.
Ma shut her laptop and went to Granny’s room along with Sanju. She knocked but there was no answer. Ma slowly opened the door.
Inside, Granny was sitting in the armchair with her eyes closed. She was smiling and her eyelids flickered as if she was dreaming. Her fingers tapped on the armrest rhythmically.
“What is she doing, Ma?” asked Sanju.
“She is dancing,” said Ma, smiling at Sanju.
Sanju stared blankly.
“Come with me. Let me show you something,” said Ma.
Ma closed the door behind her and led Sanju to her room. She took out a bag from the cupboard and handed it over to Sanju.
“Take a look,” said Ma.
Inside the bag, there were several trophies and certificates from various dance competitions. All of them had Granny’s name on them!
“Granny was a dancer?” asked Sanju disbelievingly.
“Yes, she was a great dancer! But she stopped dancing after we were born. I found this among her belongings,” said Ma.
Sanju rummaged through the bag. At the bottom, she found an old video cassette.
“What’s in it?” asked Sanju curiously.
“Let us find out,” said Ma.
Ma brought down their old video player from the attic. She dusted it thoroughly, connected it, and played the cassette. It was a video of Granny dancing.
“I can’t believe Granny was so young and beautiful once! And look how well she dances!” exclaimed Sanju.
“Actually, she looks somewhat like you in her dance costume!” said Ma.
Sanju smiled. She was proud of her Granny.
“So, poor Granny imagines herself to be dancing every day,” said Sanju thinking loudly.
“Yes, that seems to make her happy,” said Ma.
Suddenly, Sanju brightened up. “Ma, I have an idea! How about we surprise Granny tomorrow?” she asked.
“How do you plan to do that?” asked Ma.
Sanju whispered her plan into Ma’s ears and the two chuckled.
The next morning, Ma wheeled in Granny to the living room which was beautifully decorated. Pa and Sanju were standing near the table, on which Granny noticed a cake.
“What is going on? What is this cake for?” asked Granny puzzled.
“It’s for you Granny! To the best dancer I know!” said Sanju, hugging her.
Granny was surprised.
“But before you cut the cake, here is a special performance by Sanju,” announced Ma.
Granny’s favourite song started playing, and Sanju danced to it.
Granny was overwhelmed with emotion. She laughed and cried, and applauded loudly when Sanju finished the dance.
Granny pulled Sanju into a tight hug and kissed her forehead.
“I love you, Granny,” said Sanju.
“I love you too, my child. This is the best gift ever,” said Granny, wiping away tears of joy.
It was a sunny day Meeku mouse stepped out of his house with his eye-catching colourful umbrella.
“Wow! Meeku, your umbrella is beautiful! Where did you get it from?” asked Blacky bear, looking at Meeku’s umbrella.
“I bought it in the city,” said Meeku proudly.
“Meeku, you should have bought one for me too! You know I love umbrellas,” said Jumpy monkey from the tree.
“I would have surely bought one for you, but the shop had only one in this variety,” replied Meeku.
“That’s okay, Meeku. The next time when you go to the city, please get me an umbrella just like this one,” requested Jumpy.
“Certainly! Next time I go to the city, I will definitely get you one,” reassured Meeku.
That day on, whenever Jumpy saw Meeku, he always asked about the umbrella.
“Did you go to the city?” asked Jumpy.
“Jumpy, this is the fifth time in four days that you are asking me this question! I have not had an opportunity to go to the city yet. If I had gone, wouldn’t I have got you the umbrella?” said Meeku with irritation.
Jumpy was offended. “Meeku, do you think that I can’t get one myself? I don’t need your help anymore!” said Jumpy angrily and walked away.
Jumpy was not seen in the jungle for the next two days.
On the third day, Blacky spotted Jumpy leaving his house.
“Jumpy! Where were the last two days? Do you know what’s been going on in the jungle?” asked Blacky.
“What happened?” asked Jumpy.
“Meeku’s umbrella has been missing since the last three days; looks like someone has stolen it,” said Blacky.
“Oh no! Who could it have been?” wondered Jumpy.
“Now tell me, where were you the last couple of days?” asked Blacky.
“I had gone to the city,” replied Jumpy.
“The city? Then you must have surely bought the umbrella! Do show it to me!” said Blacky.
“Surely, Blacky, but at I have some urgent work now. I will show it to you later,” said Jumpy hurriedly.
“Okay. I will come back later then,” said Blacky.
That afternoon, it was quite hot, so Jumpy went out carrying his umbrella. He met Jumbo, Blacky and Meeku along the way.
“Hi Jumpy! That’s a nice umbrella; it’s not as colourful as Meeku’s though. I thought you wanted one just like that,” said Jumbo elephant.
“I know, but the shopkeeper didn’t have one. He only had this black umbrella, so I thought since I had gone all the way to buy one, I might as well buy this,” explained Jumpy.
As they were talking, Titu butterfly flew over them carrying a bucket full of water.
“Careful, Titu! The water may spill over my umbrella!” said Jumpy nervously.
“But Jumpy, it’s an umbrella and it is supposed to be waterproof!” said Jumbo.
That’s when Jumpy realised he had blurted out.
“Yes, of course, but mine’s special and it’s new. I don’t want to wear it out so soon. Anyway, I have to go home now,” said Jumpy hurriedly.
Jumbo felt that Jumpy was behaving oddly. And as Jumpy turned to leave, Jumbo spotted some black paint on his tail. Jumbo realised what was going on. He got some water from Titu and sprayed it on Jumpy’s umbrella. To everyone’s surprise, the black colour was washed away, revealing a colourful umbrella. Jumpy was embarrassed.
“Hey! That looks exactly like my rainbow umbrella!” said a shocked Meeku.
“Yes, but it is not yours! I bought it from the city today,” said Jumpy holding on to his umbrella tight.
“Then why did you paint it black?” asked Meeku suspiciously.
“That is because as soon as I got to know that Meeku’s umbrella was missing, I thought everyone would assume that I was the one who stole it as my umbrella looks exactly like his,” explained Jumpy.
“In that case, prove that this is your umbrella. You must have the receipt as proof of purchase,” said Meeku.
“Actually, I was so excited that finally I was able to buy the umbrella that I forgot to collect the receipt,” replied Jumpy.
Meeku was not convinced. “You don’t have the receipt and you changed the colour of the umbrella—these clearly prove that you have stolen my umbrella!” shouted Meeku.
“No, I did not. Believe me!” said Jumpy.
As they were arguing, they heard someone call out to Meeku: “There you are, Meeku! I have been looking everywhere for you!”
Meeku turned around to see Cheeku rabbit walking towards them holding Meeku’s umbrella.
“Cheeku, is that my umbrella? Where did you find it?” asked Meeku surprised.
“Yes, it is. When I came over to your house two days ago, it was very hot, so you lent me your umbrella to carry back home with me. After that I had to go out of town urgently, so I couldn’t return it to you earlier,” replied Cheeku.
“Oh yes! I had completely forgotten about this,” said Meeku. He then apologised to Jumpy. “Please forgive me. I didn’t trust you and assumed you had stolen my umbrella,” said Meeku ashamed.
“That’s okay, Meeku. I now realise how my behaviour could have raised suspicion. I shouldn’t have tried to hide the truth,” said Jumpy.
“Both of you have learnt your lesson. Now, I have learnt mine—never step out without an umbrella in this heat!” said Jumbo, sweating profusely. Everyone laughed and gathered under the two colourful umbrellas.
Ayush’s mother returned from the market after buying vegetables. The next day was Aayush’s birthday and many of his friends had been invited home for dinner. His mother planned to make Aayush’s favourite dishes: vegetable pulav, aloo–mutter, palak-paneer and carrot.
Aayush’s mother took out the vegetables from the basket and laid them out on the table. She was about to put them in the fridge when she realised that it was time to pick up Aayush from the school. So, she left them as they were and left for Aayush’s school.
Seeing no one was around, the vegetables began chatting among themselves.
“I am the best among all of you,” said the potato proudly. “Everyone likes me. I can be boiled, fried, roasted or mashed to make several tasty dishes like vada pav, samosa, sandwich and pakoras!”
“Oh, that’s nothing! I am an essential ingredient in most dishes,” retorted the onion. “You just can’t make the dishes planned for the birthday dinner tomorrow without me. Moreover, people relish onion pakoras during rains; actually, they love to eat me any time!”
On hearing this, the carrot declared, “I am the best! Besides being added in the pulav tomorrow, I am also the star ingredient of Aayush’s favourite carrot halwa, which will also be served tomorrow! You don’t need potatoes and onions for it. I am so good for health that many even eat me raw.”
“I too am used in so many dishes besides the pulav,” said the peas. “Aaloo mutter, mutter paneer, mutter pooris, mutter patties…the list goes on!”
The cauliflower was not to be left behind. It said, “They use me to make most of the dishes you are used in as well. I am also used to make tasty gobi parathas, soups and salads.”
Then the tomato spoke up. “I am used in many preparations too. Several tasty gravies and sauces are made out of me. I am used in all types of cuisine,” it said.
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“You all may be used in different kinds of dishes, but I am the healthiest of you lot,” said the spinach. “I contain all the nutrients necessary to maintain good health. In fact, doctors recommend eating leafy vegetables as much as possible. That is why I am the best.”
While the vegetables were quarrelling among themselves to prove that each was better than the rest, the coriander listened to them quietly. Finally, it spoke up. “I have heard all of your arguments and you are all right. Each of you has some benefits, but that does not mean one is greater than the other. We are all an essential part of the human diet,” it said.
“There are many preparations in which all of you are used like the pulav that is going to be made tomorrow. In the end, I will be added on top to garnish the dish. That does not decrease my worth. When we are all added together in the correct measure, people relish us,” the coriander added.
The coriander’s words made all the other vegetables realise that all of them are indeed equal. All the vegetables became friends and apologised to each other.
Just then, Aayush and his mother returned from school. As soon as Aayush saw the vegetables on the table, he became happy. Tomorrow, his mother was going to make his favourite dishes using all of these vegetables. The vegetables too shared Aayush’s excitement.
Pando was a kind-hearted panda. He would go out of his way to help the other animals in the forest in any way he could. Once, he spent an entire day helping Nini, the sparrow search for her chick who had gone missing.
Many animals liked Pando for his helpful nature, but there were some who would take advantage of him. Ray, the rhino was one of them. He was constantly looking for an opportunity to fool Pando.
One day, Ray got to know that Pando was looking to rent out his house urgently, so he came up with a plan. Ray met Pando the next day.
“Hello, Pando! How are you?” enquired Ray.
“Hello, Ray! I am fine. What brings you here?” asked Pando.
“I wanted to talk to you about the house that you plan to rent out. My friends and I have been asked to vacate the house in which we are currently staying as the landlord has planned to sell it So, if you can rent out yours to us, I will pay you whatever rent you ask for,” said Ray.
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“Of course, Ray. I have been looking for tenants urgently too,” said Pando.
“Good, that works out for both of us then. But I have one condition. If you ask me to leave before three months, you have to pay me three months’ rent as compensation, and if I leave the house, I will pay you the same amount,” said Ray.
Pando saw nothing amiss in the condition, so he immediately agreed. Soon, Ray and his friends Bongo, the bull and Harry, the horse, moved into Pando’s house.
Within a few days, Pando started getting complaints from other the animals. regarding Ray and his friends.
“What kind of animals have you rented out your house to? They play music all night. The house smells, and they throw garbage into the river,” Skippy, the squirrel complained to Pando.
Pando decided to talk to Ray about this.
“Ray, why are you and your friends creating such a ruckus? All your neighbours are complaining about you,” said Pando.
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“So what? We pay rent to live in this house, so we are free to do as we please. But if you want us to leave, we can do that. Just give us three months’ rent as compensation and we’ll be on our way,” said Ray, reminding Pando of the condition they had agreed upon.
It was then that Pando realised that Ray had laid a trap with that condition. Pando walked back home disappointed. As he was thinking how to handle the situation, he met Honi, the honeybee on the way.
“What’s the matter, Pando? You seem upset,” said Honi.
“Yes, I’m quite upset. Ray has put me in a fix,” said Pando sadly. He then explained everything to Honi.
After listening to his story, Honi said, “Ray has tried to take advantage of your kindness, but I have a plan.”
She whispered something into Pando’s ear and he immediately brightened up.
Next morning, when Ray was on his way out, he saw a large beehive right outside his house.
“Where did this beehive come from?” he wondered.
“You look surprised, Ray. Didn’t Pando tell you that this spot belongs to us. We have been building our hives here for years,” said Honi.
“You pests! This is my house! Go away from here!” said Ray.
“You can shout all you want, but we are not going anywhere,” said Honi coolly.
That evening, Harry played music over the radio loudly. All the honeybees came into the house and started to dance over his head. Harry became scared at the sight of a swarm of bees. He hid under the bed and didn’t come out for a long time.
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The next day, Bongo opened a bar of chocolate and was about to eat it, when he was suddenly surrounded by bees.
“Don’t you know that you should share food?” said Honi.
“Get away from me! This is my chocolate,” said Bongo angrily.
“You better share it with us, or else we’ll sting you!” said Honi.
As the honeybees closed in on him, out of fear Bongo dropped the chocolate and shut himself inside the bathroom.
Later that day, Harry and Bongo told Ray about the incidents with the bees. “We’re sorry, Ray. But we can’t live in this house anymore. You have to complain about them to Pando and do something about the menace,” they told him.
Ray went to Pando straightaway and said, “Pando, there are honeybees staying in our house. They keep threatening to attack us. It is difficult to live there anymore.”
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“These honeybees have been building their hives there for many years now. They give me honey as rent. But if you feel uncomfortable, you may pay me three months’ rent and vacate the house,” said Pando.
Ray realised that Pando had outsmarted him. He paid Pando the money and vacated the house along with his friends. He did not try his tricks with Pando again.
Meeku, the mouse was taking a walk when he saw an apple fall from a tree.
“An apple! Let me take it home. I’ll wash and eat it,” thought Meeku.
As he walked away, Billu, the cat reached there.
“You better hand over that apple over to me,” said Billu.
“No. I found it first,” said Meeku.
“Look! I want to eat fruits today. Otherwise, I would have eaten you first and then the apple,” threatened Billu.
“How can I trust him? He may gobble the apple and then eat me too,” thought Meeku and ran from that there.
Billu followed Meeku. Meeku reached a bridge and saw Bhiku, the wolf coming from the other side. Meeku froze. By then Billu also closed in on him.
“How will you save yourself now?” asked Billu, as he walked towards Meeku.
“Wait! Take the mouse if you want, but leave the apple for me. I have put on weight and the doctor has advised me to eat only fruits,” said Bhiku.
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“My doctor has told me to have fruits because of my increased weight too. And I will spare this mouse as well. He has made me run so much that I am very hungry now,” said a panting Billu.
“Take the mouse if you want and leave the apple for me. You ran a long distance and so you must have lost weight. Now you don’t need to eat the apple,” said Bhiku.
“If that is the case, then I’ll take the apple and release this mouse. You chase him and lose weight,” said Billu.
“Stop arguing, Billu. It wouldn’t be good if I got angry!” warned Bhiku.
“Don’t try to dominate me. I’m not afraid of a foolish wolf like you,” replied Billu.
“How dare you call me foolish! Now, this mouse as well as the apple are mine,” said Bhiku, pulling Meeku towards him.
“You can’t do that. I had seen the mouse first, and so I will take the mouse and the apple with me,” said Billu, pulling Meeku towards himself.
Billu and Bhiku then began fighting over Meeku.
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“Why don’t you decide between yourself whom I should go with,” Meeku questioned while flinching with pain.
“Don’t interrupt!” shouted Billu.
“Both of you are pulling me and expect me to keep quiet!” cried Meeku. But Billu and Bhiku ignored him and continued fighting.
“Fighting will yield no result. Talk and find a solution” said Meeku.
“Meeku, we are know that you will play a trick on us to escape, but we won’t let that happen,” said Billu.
“I’m not trying to trick you. I just don’t want you to fight with each other,” replied Meeku.
“Really? Then how would you solve our problem?” asked Bhiku.
“Why don’t you toss a coin and decide?” suggested Meeku.
“That is a good idea,” agreed Bhiku. “Let’s do it then” said Billu.
“I’ll opt for heads,” said Bhiku. “I’ll go for tails,” replied Billu.
“And what if we get neither heads nor tails?” asked Meeku.
“What do you mean?” asked Billu and Bhiku in confusion.
“What would happen if the coin lands perpendicular to the ground that neither heads nor tails are up?” asked Meeku.
“How can that be possible?” they asked.
“Let’s just suppose that it happens. Then what shall we do?” asked Meeku.
“Then we will let you go,” said Bhiku and Billu in jest.
“Let’s go to the bank of the river and toss a coin,” said Meeku.
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“Why can’t we do it here?” asked Billu.
“If we toss here, my coin may fall into the river and I do not have another coin to toss again,” explained Meeku.
“In that case, let’s go to the bank,” said Billu.
All three walked down the bridge and came to the bank of the river.
“I’ll toss the coin in the air. If it’s heads, then Bhiku will win and if its tails, Billu will win,” said Meeku and tossed the coin.
Bhiku ran to see if it was heads or tails.
“Wait!” said Billu. “I don’t trust you. You may turn the coin in order to win.” He let go of Meeku’s hand and ran behind Bhiku.
When the two found the coin, they saw it standing perpendicular to the ground due to the moist and soft soil.
“Meeku was right! Everything is possible,” said Bhiku. Billu nodded in agreement.
“Look! Meeku is running away!” screamed Bhiku.
“Let him go. If we caught hold of him, we would have to argue again as to who would get the apple and who would get him,” said Billu.
“You are right,” said Bhiku.
The two returned home disappointed.
