Champak Sep(First)09

September (First) 2009 Rs 15.00

Champak

Chekers-176

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Editor, Publisher & Printer : Paresh Nath

FOUNDER

VISHWA NATH1917-2002

SEPTEMBER (FIRST) 2009NO. 766

STORIESFANCY DRESS 4SWEET WATERMELON 8EGG IN THE STADIUM 14RESULT OF ARROGANCE19CHUTKU RAT 28SECRET OUT 35JUMPY'S SCHEME 46THE PYTHON 51WHITY’S PLAN 55PROUD TAPPU 60FRIENDSHIP 64IMPORTANCE OF TIME 69

TEDDY AND HONEY 72SMART DEVILS 78

PICTURE STORIESSTRENGTH VERSUS

INTELLIGENCE 24CHEEKU 44PUNISHMENT 68

YOUR PAGEFROM YOUNG

READERS 12CHAMPAK CHEKERS 41IT IS FUNTIME 76

TIXY VIXENwas veryupset. Every

year her school had a fancydress competition. But every

year Pony Rabbit won the firstprize in the competition. Tixy only

thought of creating mischief and socould not prepare well for the fancy dress.

That is why she never got a prize.On the other hand Pony Rabbit worked

very hard and participated with goodpreparation. Once he dressed up like a

tree by sticking leaves, fruits and rawvegetables on himself. He also

FancyFancyDrDressess

by Shubham Srivastav

displayed a slogan, “Save trees, save Earth.”Last year he had dressed up like a lion. He put

on a lion mask and long false tail and a slogan,“Don't hunt for me, love me. Let me live, let melive.”

All the parents came to see the competition withjoy and happiness.

Every time the stadium echoed with loudapplause on Pony's performance. This year's FancyDress Competition had just 3 days to go. Tixy hadnot won a single competition till date. But this timeshe was determined that she would not let Ponywin the competition.

She thought that Pony must have startedpreparing and also must be rehearsing at home.

She planned to one day quietly go to his house tofind out what he was doing this time. She wouldthen dress up as the same character.

This way in case the character won, both willwin the prize.

When she went to Pony's place, she saw Ponywas whitewashing his house, wearing dirty, tornand shabby clothes.

Tixy quickly came home and started rehearsingwhitewashing.

The competition started after 3 days. Allchildren were presenting themselves in different

dresses. Large crowd of

animals were enjoyingthe show.

After some time itwas Tixy's chance. Shehad got a brush andpaint with her dirtysmuggy clothes.

Seeing her everyonestarted laughing andheartily clapped.

Then came Pony'schance. But he haddressed up like an'alien'.

He recited a poemlike always, “In thisland of yours, I comefrom Pluto planet withthe message to loveeveryone.”

6 Champak

The hall resounded with loud applause andwhen the result was declared, it was Pony whoagain won the first prize.

Tixy Vixen sobbed and sobbed. Pony Rabbit asked, “What happened sister, why

are you crying?”Tixy replied, “You ditched me. I came to your

house quietly. That time you were dressed as white-washer and on the day of the competition youdressed up as an alien.”

Pony Rabbit laughed loudly and said, “You fool,that day I was not rehearsing. Due to rains theceiling of my house started seeping with water.That is why I was whitewashing.”

Tixy Vixen started laughing while she had tearsin her eyes.

She realised that common sense was needed forcopying too.

Pony Rabbitsaid, “We arefriends from todayand from next timewe will prepare forthe competitiontogether.”

Pony Rabbitwas awarded a bigchocolate box inthe competition.Like a true friend he gave half of it to Tixy Vixen. ●

September (First) 2009 7

MEEKU MONKEY was upset as he wasunemployed these days. It was a summerday and Meeku thought, 'In this summer

why don't I sell watermelon. It will be profit-able.'

He discussed it with Montu Elephant. Montuwas in vegetable and fruit business. He had helpedMeeku a lot.

For some days everything was well. But aftersome time he realised that fruits were being stolenfrom his farmhouse.

He was not able to recover the cost on selling theleftover fruits. Meeku got the broken walls of hisfarmhouse repaired. He got a boundary madearound it to prevent thieves from entering inside.

But the next day was no different. Lots of fruitswere missing from the fruit basket.

Meeku got annoyed at the fruit thief. When hecould not stop the thief anyways, he thought ofanother plan.

by Amrita Navin Satsangi

8 Champak

SSww eeee tt WWaa tt eerr mmeelloonn

He got big nails dug on the walls of the farmhouse.

Meeku had already planted a lot of trees aroundhis farmhouse. He had put rope nooses near thetrees.

He thought now the thief could not escapeanyways and flee. But the next day he found all thenooses untangled and were staring at him.

This time more fruits than earlier were missingfrom the farmhouse.

One day, Jumbo saw that Meeku was very upset.Meeku told him about his trouble.

Jumbo explained to him, “Look Meeku, whenbig problems cannot be solved by big plans, onemust resort to smaller tricks.

“Sometimes when things don't work with asword, they can be done with the help of a needle.Understand?”

“What? How will a needle work for a sword?”“Come, I will tell you,” Jumbo said.Jumbo took Meeku to his farmhouse godown

and picking up a big watermelon said, “This willdo the work of a needle.”

“How?”“Have patience. I will tell you.”Jumbo made a big hole in the watermelon and

went to his friend, the Queen Bee.“How are you here today dear Jumbo?” Queen

Bee asked.“I need your help today,” Jumbo replied.“What help, Jumbo? Tell me.”

Jumbo toldeverything toQueen Bee.

After somethought QueenBee said, “I amready with mycolleagues.”

“ T h a n k s ,Queen Bee.”

“This is myduty. There isno need tothank, Jumbo.

10 Champak

Now you can be rest assured.”Meeku was getting a fruit

basket filled from Jumbo'sgodown.

At midnight, Meeku woke uphearing somebody's scream.Quickly switching on all lightsand coming out of the house with abig stick he saw a shadow in blackclothes running, trying to save itself fromthe bees.

The next day, Meeku saw that his neighbourFardy Fox was in a bad shape.

His entire body and face was swollen.Meeku broke out into a hearty laugh looking at

his pathetic state as Fardy used to make tall talksabout his courageous deeds.

It was clear from Fardy's stories that he was hurtbadly while saving himself from thieves.

“But Fardy brother, one gets such marks whenstung by bees,” Fardy was nervous on hearingMeeku.

Placing a big watermelon in front of Fardy,Meeku said, “Will you eat watermelon, Fardybrother?”

Fardy was taken aback seeing the watermelon.But Meeku kept quiet.

The next day Meeku himself accepted hismistake and apologised.

Meeku was amazed at Fardy's behaviour.“You saved me from being ashamed in front of

everyone that day by not revealing it publicly. Ipromise that I will not steal anymore but work hardfor a living,” Fardy said.

Meeku forgave Fardy. ●


Minku and Monty

MINKU MONKEY and Monty Monkey lived inSundervan. They studied in the same school.But Minku Monkey disliked Monty Monkey

from the core of his heart. The more Monty Monkeytried to be friendly with Minku Monkey, the more hedisliked him. The cold response by Minku Monkeyused to make Monty Monkey very sad..

It was very hot the other day. Monty Monkey andMinku Monkey were bathing in the river. A crocodilealso lived in the same river.

On finding right opportunity the crocodile caughtMinku Monkey's leg. His other friends ran out of theriver when they saw Minku Monkey was attacked bythe crocodile.

Monty Monkey who was passing by the riverheard Minku Monkey's cry for help. He ran towardsthe river.

Monty Monkey was scared when he saw MinkuMonkey in trouble. But still he jumped in the river to

save Minku Monkey.Somehow, Monty Monkey dodged the crocodile.

He rode his back and dug his nails in the eyes of thecrocodile.

The crocodile felt intense pain in his eyes by thesudden attack. He released Minku Monkey butcaught Monty Monkey.

Minku Monkey repented that though he was freefrom the clutches of the crocodile Monty Monkey hadlanded in the trouble because of him.

Minku Monkey quickly came out of the river andgot hold a thick stick from a tree. He started hittingthe crocodile with the stick.

The crocodile found himself caught betweenfighting 2 monkeys. He had no option but to releaseMonty Monkey as well.

Both Minku Monkey and Monty Monkey ran out ofthe river. Poor Monty Monkey was still bleeding.Minku Monkey was still feeling that Monty Monkeywas injured because of him. He apologised to MontyMonkey and said, “Monty, I am really ashamed at mycold behaviour with you. You risked your own life tosave my life. I am really grateful to you for saving mylife.”

Monty Monkey hugged Minku Monkey andforgave him for his cold behaviour.

After this incident Minku Monkey and MontyMonkey became close friends.

—Vijay Kumar Pal.

MOTHER OSTRICH laid 2 eggs in her nest.On feeling hungry she hid them in a pileof dry leaves and went in search of food.

When she did not return for a long time, thesmaller egg said, “Brother, mother has gone for astroll. Why don't we too have a walk till she comesback?”

“No dear, whenever eggs have gone out from thenest, they have never returned. We must wait herefor mother,” said the bigger egg.

“Well, you seem to be real coward. Stay in thenest. I will go by myself,” andthe younger one jumped outfrom the nest.

Seeing him going, the elderegg shivered with the thoughtof any mishap. He shouted,“Wait, little one. It is not good togo alone. I will come with you.”

The younger one was excitedhaving the elder one comingwith him. Both the brothersroamed around the jungle

Egg

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Egg

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by J

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14 Champak

holding hands. The eggs were enjoying the freshair of the jungle. They hopped and played in thegrassy stretch and moved ahead.

On the way a wolf happened to see the eggs andhis mouth watered. He whispered, “Wow! Whatnice big eggs they are. They can be a good satiatingmeal.”

The wolf then came in their way and with histongue rolling over his lips said, “You big fat eggs!Where are you going holding each other’s hands?Come near me, I want to eat you.”


Seeing death in front of them, the eggs startedtrembling. “Did not I tell you that it was not safefor us to move out of the nest?” the elder one saidto the younger one.

“You did not listen. Now we are being punishedfor our foolishness.”

“Brother, you are sensible. There must be someway to get rid of the wolf,” younger one said.

An idea hit the elder one. He said, “Wolf sir, you can eat us but I want to touch your nose andfeel it.”

“Nose, but why?” the wolf was surprised.“Mother told me that it is auspicious to touch

the wolf’s nose. So I want to touch your nose beforedeath,” said the elder one.

The wolf rolled his eyes and advanced his nose. As the nose came near the elder egg, he did what

he had thought. A hard hitting box hit his nose. “Oh! The egg has broken my nose. I cannot

show my face to anyone now,” thewolf started screaming.

Leaving the wolf in pain, boththe eggs ran for their life andfinding a place under a shadytree, laiddown torelax.

T h eelder onesaid, “Weh a v eb a r e l ye s c a p e df r o mg e t t i n g16

into deep trouble. We have roamed a lot of jungle,now we should return to the nest.”

“What are you saying? We have broken the noseof the trouble. It will not come back again. We cannow roam as much as we like.”

“Well, as you say,” said the elder one. Then he started following the little one. The

elder one kept following wherever the younger onewent in order to safeguard him.

Both landed in a stadium where a football matchwas going on.

On reaching inside, the younger one saw that 22players were hitting a ball with their feet. He gotwild.

He shouted, “Look brother, all the players aretogether hitting an egg. We must save the egg.”

“I do not think it is anegg. It is something that looks like an egg. Wemust wait here and try to understand the matter,”the elder tried to explain.

“No, it is an egg. Poorthing, he is taking the

beating since so long. Icannot see it being hit

any more. Come onlet us go and savehim,” the youngerone asserted.

The elder onetried stopping hisbrother, “You are afool. You have just

17

arrived in this world. You must not do anythingwithout thinking.”

But the younger one did not listen. Withoutgiving a minute's thought he rolled up his sleevesand screamed, “Don't worry, brother. I am comingto save you. I will break the legs of those who aretrampling you by their feet.”

He ran towards the ground. All the players inthe ground were running behind the ball. Theywanted to take the football towards each other’sgoal post so that they could strike a goal.

The younger egg ran after the football to catch it.Suddenly, a player kicked the egg thinking it to bethe football.

“Pich…” came the sound from the egg.“Oh, these wicked people have broken me. Now

I will not be saved. Wish I had listened to bigbrother,” and the egg lay silent.

The elder one felt bad seeing the youngerbrother crack. He whispered, “Oh, younger one

is broken. I had explained him but he did notlisten. I must now return to the nest or I too will diebefore time.”

With a heavy heart he returned to go to his nestand sobbed and sobbed.

Mother came by then. When she heard the whole story from her elder egg, she was heartbroken. “It is none of your fault, son. The little one was foolish. He did not listen to you. That is why he got punished.”

Elder one clung to mother and slept off. He learnt a lesson and never went out of his nest aloneever. ●

18 Champak

Result of Result of ArrArroganceogance

“WHAT happened, brother?Why are you standingquiet, are you all right?”

the bicycle asked as she stopped onseeing the scooter standing sad andalone.

“What to tell, sister. My petrol hasfinished because of which I am notable to move. My master is getting latefor office. Can you help by giving himride till the office?” the scooter

by Indrajit Kaushik


requested, “I will be obliged.”“What favour? If we don't help each other in

need then who will? After all, we vehicles have torun together,” cycle agreed.

Making the master sit behind the cycle, itstarted running fast. As the cycle was returninghappily after having left the master to his office,suddenly, somebody hit it from the back and it fellon its face.

Getting angry with pain the cycle yelled, “Can'tyou see? The road is so broad and you are hittingme and finding your way!”

A black coloured car who had hit laughedloudly, “Don't come in my way by mistake also. Iam the queen of this road. The road isnot made for weak cycles like you,understood?” brand new car saidwith arrogance.

The car had just arrived onthe road from the showroom.It looked down upon thecycle.

The cycle silentlymoved on its way.This encouraged thecar. After a

20

distance it hit a motorcycle and dropped it too.The headlight mirror of the motorcycle was

broken and it got wild, “What nonsense is this?”“Don't show eyes to me or you will meet such an

end that you will not recognise yourself,” the carshouted back.

The motorcycle tried its best to explain to the carto take control of its anger. “This arrogance is notgood. This beauty will not stay for long.”

By the time the car had left, it was becomingarrogant by the day. All the other vehicles tried toexplain it to her that it is always wiser to livelovingly together. But to no avail.

One day, it rained heavily. Hail came along witha storm. Cycle, scooter, bikes, all stopped under thetrees.

“You too come here,sister. We will all be

safe,” theyoffered tothe car,“there islots ofspace here.”

“I do notwant to


insult myself by standing with you. Small vehicleslike you are frightened of storms not strong oneslike me,” the car made a face.

Suddenly, 2-3 big hails hit the headlights of the car. The lights broke and the bulbs too gaveway.

The car could no longer see anything in front.The hail had made it ugly and disfigured. The

car was appearing like a beggar with glasses, lights,body and everything broken. Seeing her state thecar wept. The beauty of which she was arrogant hadbeen destroyed. It was the first time that the car wasrepentant of its behaviour.

‘Had I listened to my younger sister andbrothers, I would not have met this fate,’ the carthought and tears rolled down her eyes. “Pleaseforgive me,” she said.

As the storm stopped, cycles and scooters andother vehicles started on their path. On the otherhand, the broken car was shedding tears on itscondition. ●

22 Champak

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Kindly send them to: The Editor, Champak, E-3, Jhandewala Estate, Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi-110055, stating that it is your own original, unaided,unpublished work.

DPBQB7

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Card. Your answers should reach us by 20 September, 2009.

RAMPAL WAS A RICH MAN. HE APPOINTED 2 SERVANTS. ONE DAY–

ONE OF THE SERVANTS COUGHT HOLD OF THE COW’S ROPE AND PULLED WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH.

BY VENU VARIATH

SSTTRREENNGGTTHH

VVEERRSSUUSS

IINNTTEELLLLIIGGEENNCCEETHE COW HAS GONE AWAYFROM THE SHED. MAYBETHE KNOT WAS LOOSE.

24 Champak

QUICK, GO AND BRING HER

BACK.

EH!

DON’T WORRY. SHEWON’T CAUSE

HARM TO ANYBODY.

HMM.COME HERE.

AT LAST, RAMPAL HIMSELF WENT NEAR THE COW.

RAMPAL CALLED THE OTHER SERVANT.BUT THE COW DID NOT MOVE.


MOO...MOO...

YOU MAY ALSO TRY.

ALL RIGHT,SIR.

THE SECOND SERVANT ALSO TRIED HIS BEST. BUT THE COW DID NOT MOVE.

HE TOOK SOME GRASS AND...

MOO...MOO...

THE COW CAME TOWARDS RAMPAL. HE WALKEDAHEAD AND THE COW FOLLOWED.

....SHOWED IT TO THE COW.

26 Champak

THUS, RAMPAL GUIDED THE COW TO THE COWSHED.

HMM... NOW YOUEAT THIS GRASS.

SURPRISING!HOW EASILY SHE WASTAKEN TO THE SHED!

NOTHING SURPRISING, CERTAIN

THINGS WHICH YOU CANNOT DO WITH

STRENGTH, CAN BE DONE WITH

HUMILITY AND INTELLIGENCE.

IS IT CLEAR TO YOU?

YES, SIR. WE AGREE WITH YOU.

INTELLIGENCE AND HUMILITY AREALWAYS HELPFUL.

MONU'S BACKYARD was a vacant space.This space was utilised by rats as theirhomes. The whole day these rats played and

made mischief outside their burrows. Chutku Rat would enter the burrows of other rats

and eat whatever he found. All the other rats werevery upset with this habit of Chutku. Chutku did notmake any burrow for himself. He would spend hisnight hiding in others burrows. His day would bespent in search of food and in the evening, he wouldlie down under a bush. Because of this habit ofChutku, other rats called him 'lazy rat'.

Many times he would not go out in search of foodalso and keep sleeping under the tree. When the ratswould go away, he would enter their burrows andfind some food for himself.

In the evening, when all of them would returnafter collecting food, they would find him at the sameplace. All of them would tell stories about their daywhereas Chutku would keep lying quietly. He wouldlisten to them and wonder about their foolishness.'They stupidly keep roaming from pillar to post insearch of food,' he thought.

When Matku Rat saw that Chutku was still lyingunder the tree, he asked, “Are you all right?”

Turning his moustache, Chutku said, “Yes,absolutely. I am relaxing. A rat's life is to relax. If Iwere at all to work I would have been born as adonkey or a bull.”

Chutku RatChutku Ratby Jamshed Azmi

28 Champak

Matku replied, “That is all right but no matter whoyou take birth, you should work, whether it be smallor big.”

“It is for fools to work. Sensible people sit and eatand sleep,” Chutku said.

Mutku did not deem it fit to talk to Chutku and sohe went the other way. Chutku kept lying downshamelessly.

As it became dark, all the rats went into theirburrows. Nobody spoke to Chutku.

When the place became lonely, Chutku got up andstarted walking up and down. As it was dark, he fellinto a drain. He tried hard to escape but insteadreached in the middle of the drain. The drain was bigenough and because of fast water flow, he could notcome to the edge.

He kept flowing with water for some time. After flowing some distance, his tail hit a stone.Chutku held the stone tightly with his claws but soonhis strengthstarted givingway. He couldhardly seeanything in thedark.

Suddenly, alog of woodcame flowingand hit Chutkuwho was tryinghard to hold onto the stone. Hescreamed.

He soonu n d e r s t o o dSeptember (First) 2009 29

that it was a piece of wood and jumping on it hereached the banks. Now he tried climbing the walls ofthe drain. Unfortunately, he fell back.

He again found himself in the drain. But this timehe fell on the piece of wood. His back was hurt

and it pained badly. One foot was also hurting. Heremembered Matku Rat's advice. Had he built upstrength for himself, he would not have fallen in thedrain.

He realised that had he worked hard like otherrats, he would not have had to face such difficulties.

By then another piece of wood came floating inwater and stopped near him. Giving it support,Chutku made it stand along a stone. Then climbing onit, he came out of the drain, heaving a sigh of relief.

His body was smelling of the dirty drain water. Hesaw a pit with clean water nearby. He dipped himselfin the water and cleansed himself. Then hopping andjumping he went where he lived.

There was a colony of white rats on the way.Chutku wanted to hold on there but the guards of thecolony did not let Chutku stop there.

Frightened, Chutku finally reached his colony atmidnight. He was feeling hungry. Getting inside otherrats’ burrow, he searched for some food. When hereached Matku's burrow he saw that Matku wassleeping inside his burrow by cordoning it withthorny bushes.

Other rats had similarly closed their burrows’entrances. Chutku was getting restless with hungerbut could not find any food. He was cursing himselffor his lethargy. He wished that he too had a burrow ofhis own where he could go and sleep and where hewould have stored some food to eat too.30 Champak

He finally decided that by the next morning hewould dig a burrow for himself and thinking of foodhe started feeling sleepy.

Suddenly, a mosquito bit his ear. Chutku hit hisear with his tail. The mosquito flew away but his eargot hurt. The rat was jolted out of his slumber.

He again tried resuming his sleep but themosquitoes were troubling him a lot.

In order to save himself, he went around lookingfor them when a cat saw him. Hiding in a corner sheaimed and pounced upon him. Chutku was takenaback and all the ways of saving his life that he knewwent blank from his memory.

Fortunately, the cat's paws, instead of hitting him,hit the thorny bush near him and she immediatelywithdrew it.

In the meantime, Chutku got a chance to escape.September (First) 2009 31

He quickly hid under a bush. Thecat kept looking for him. Aftersome time she left.

A snake was sleeping in thebush where Chutku washiding. He could small a ratand woke up. He lookedaround but could not see

anything. Chutku saw the snake and out

of fear became breathless. Hemanaged to crawl away from the bush.

The rat was stuck in between two dangers.On one side was the snake and on the other was thecat.

Slowly, Chutku entered the lane. Kalu Dog sawthat someone was hiding in the darkness and hestarted barking. Now he was with the third danger.

He was not sure whether he would remain alivetoday or not to dig his burrow tomorrow.

Suddenly, clouds hovered on the sky and thelightning struck sharp. It started raining.

Chutku took shelter under the neem tree. It waspouring. Chutku was getting wet and he startedfeeling cold. The other rats were happily sleeping intheir burrows and Chutku was sitting under the treegetting wet.

As it dawned, the rain also stopped. All the ratscame out to enjoy the lovely weather after the rains.Matku too was enjoying the view. He saw Chutkuwho was digging his burrow.

Matku ran to him and said, “Good Chutku that youhave become sensible in one night.”

Other rats too were happy and clapped when theysaw Chutku dig his burrow. ●

32 Champak

HIRA BEAR was a simple, hard-working and clear-hearted bear. He ran a travelagency named Neelu Travel Agency in

Champakvan. Hira had employed drivers for running his

buses but he drove one of the buses himself as heloved driving a bus.

When he drove his bus on the open, broad treelined roads of the forest, he felt a kind of renewedenergy and freshness into his body. As a result theday went off happy and fruitful.

One day, there was a fair in the neighbouringforest Nandanvan. The fair went on till late andHira's buses were kept up late too.

As Hira was returning with his last bus to

SecrSecretetOutOut

by Renu Aggarwal


Champakvan, he saw an animal lying on the streetin the brightness of his headlight. He halted thebus with a jerk. Suddenly with the jolt the sleepingpassengers woke up.

“What happened? Why has the bus stopped? Is everything all right, Hira?” everyone was asking.

As Hira got down to have a close look at the bus,other animals too got down behind him.

“Oh, he is hurt.”“He has probably fainted. Lots of blood has

come out.”“Nobody knows which jungle he belongs

to?”“Somebody, bring water for him to drink.”Water was sprinkled on him but he did not gain

consciousness.They could not have left him in this state so they

picked up the badly hurt jackal and put him in thebus.

The bus again started and with fresh breeze thejackal started gaining consciousness. Before

they could reach Champakvan, he opened his eyes.

All passengers had left except for Hira and thehurt jackal.

Hira took him to his place and provided himfirst-aid.

The next day when the jackal woke up, Hiraintroduced himself, “Hello friend. How are younow? I am Hira Bear. I saw you yesterday on theway. How did you get hurt?”

“I am Peru. While I was returning from the fairyesterday, some masked thieves beat me up badly36 Champak

and looted all my things,” Peru groaned with pain.

“Where is your house? Since yesterday, you havenot gone home. Your family must be worrying foryou,” Hira reminded.

“I have no one of mine, I am alone.”“So, till the time you recover, you can stay put

here. I too live all by myself,” Hira said.“Well, thanks,” Peru closed his eyes.Hira looked after injured Peru with great

dedication. He would everyday dress him up andgive him good food to eat self-cooked.

In the beginning Peru was actually weak andincapable but as he started recovering, he startedgetting evil thoughts in his mind. He thought oftaking advantage of Hira's service.

He would pretend that he was very weak and

that he had terrible pain in hisentire body.

Getting to eat for free andwithout any labour, he now did notwant to work anymore.

When Hira went away to work,Peru would happily watch TV or go

out into the forest to roam. After the whole day’s work Hira

would come home, cook food for Peruand himself but the jackal would not help

him. Sometimes Hira did realise that he had done a

mistake by keeping Peru at his place but thenthinking that he was not well, a feeling of guiltcreeped into his heart on thinking bad.

One day, Hira remembered that honey hadfinished at his home so he went out in search forbeehives. When the bees saw the ever smiling and happy Hira disappointed and worried theyasked, “What happened, dear Hira? Why are yousad?”

Hira enumerated all the story to them.“That is all? We are there to help you. Now you

see our spying skills,” the bees assured.Hira retuned home happily contended.That very night the bees made a small hive in

Hira's house and started spying.The next day Hira went away early with his

bus.Peru quickly had his meals, watched TV and

went out for a stroll in the jungle. He wasappearing hail and healthy. In the evening he cameback and lay on his bed.

When the bees told him about Peru's activities38 Champak

Hira became dead sure that Peru was takingadvantage of his goodness.

He along with the bees thought of teaching Perua lesson.

The next day, the beehive became a little largerand some bees were seen hovering around.

Hira was not afraid but Peru surely was. “Whatis this, Hira? I am as it is unwell and on top of that these bees have come here. Please removethem.”

Hira replied, “I have kept them as tenants andthey will from now on stay here.”

“Why do you need tenants? You already have agood and steady income from your buses.”

“Now you are also living with me and things aremore expensive.”

“But they might stick to me and sting. I will notbe able to run because of weakness.”

“Good,” and Hira laughed and clapped. Withthe gesture the bees started hovering around Peru. With fright he ran towards the river andjumped in.

Hira went and took out Peru from water andscreamed loudly, “Liar, you are perfectly all

right and are only shaming. I have come to know allyour clever plans.”

Realising that his secret plan was out, Peru feltashamed of himself.

He said to Hira, “You are really very good. In thebeginning I really needed your help but later Istarted enjoying your services. I am sorry. But nowI want to become your true friend. Will you forgiveme?”

And Hira forgave him. ●


Colour the picture.

40 Champak

● In this game you have to save the eggs of thesparrow from the crow.

● You can start the game when you get 1 on yourdice.

● If you don't have a dice then, you can pick upyour Champak magazine. Now with your eyesclosed, open the magazine, count and moveboxes as per the count of the lastdigit of the right hand side pagenumber, such as 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.

● Before starting the game eachplayer has to select the colour of hischoice.

● While following the rules of the gamethroughout the game, the player who reachesthe first to the crow, shall be the winner.

Rules of the Game

Start

Startagain.

Startagain.

Staaga

Wait for1 turn.

Wait for1 turn.Wait for

2 turns.

Movwhenyou

get 1

Move when you

get 1.Move

when youget 5.

Move when you

get 5.

Ros

han

Bab

uStartagain.

artain.

Wait for1 turn.Wait for

2 turns.ve n

u1.

Move when you

get 1.

GUDDU WRESTLER CONSIDERED THATDOING ANYTHING IN THE WORLD WAS

JUST A CAKE WALK FOR HIM.

GUDDU, HOW ABOUT GETTING A BEEHIVEFROM THE TOP OF THE TREE.

OH! IT IS JUST ACAKE WALK FOR ME.

GUDDU TRIED TO PLUCK THE BEEHIVEBUT HE WAS STUNG BY THE HOARDS

OF THE HONEYBEES.

WHAT HAPPENED, GUDDU? HOWCOME YOU BROKE YOUR LEGS?

YOU GOT ME STUNG BY HONEYBEES.I WILL BREAK YOUR LEGS RIGHT

NOW.

NOW , I HAVE TO RUN.

HOW LONG YOU WILL RUN?

44 Champak

CHEEKU RAN AND ENTERED THECOMPOUND OF ELEPHANT GURU–

THE WELL KNOWN WRESTLER.

HELP...GURUJI, HELP ME.

WHAT IS GOING ONGUDDU.

...YOU ARE ATTACKING AUNARMED FELLOW... THAT TOO

MY OWN STUDENT?

GURUJI, I WAS …

FOR THIS MISTAKE YOU HAVE TO DO2,000 SIT UPS.

DOING 2,000 SIT UPS IS JUSTA CAKE WALK FOR ME.

1001…1002…1003…1004…

GET LOST YOU SILLY FELLOW,DON'T YOU KNOW THAT FIXINGYOU UP IS ALSO A CAKE WALK

FOR ME.

GUDDU STARTED SIT UPS.


EARLIER, JUMPY Monkeylived on a tree where hewas always in fear of

falling down. The troubledoubled in rainy days.Everything went bad in thesound of dripping water.

To get rid of thesedifficulties, Jumpy thought ofmaking his own house.Collecting all his earnings, hemade a very beautiful woodenhouse for himself.

by Indrajit Kaushik

Jumpy’Jumpy’ssSchemeScheme

He was very happy in his new house. It was hugeand had everything in it.

One day, Fatty Elephant came to Jumpy. “Youknow I cannot climb the stairs. I would feel obligedif you let me stay on the ground floor of yourhouse.”

“Then where will my family stay?” Jumpy asked. “You can comfortably live in the upper portion. I

will live below, take care of your house and pay renttoo,” Fatty exclaimed. Hearing Fatty's sweet talks,Jumpy agreed.

In the beginning, Fatty stayed decently. But aftersome days, he started showing his true colours. Hestopped paying rent.

“Papa, I am not able to study because of this loudnoise. I have a test tomorrow. Please get the musicstopped,” Jumpy's son Titu said, as he was gettingdisturbed.

“I have bought this music system with my money.I will use it as I like. Who are you to stop me?” Fattyreplied bluntly to Jumpy.

Poor Titu could not help. The noise was hurting hisears. Others in the house too were highly upset.Next day, Jumpy was having breakfast with his

family. He felt as if the earth shook. All eatables werescattered on the floor. Jumpy too just stopped short offalling. Titu got hurt on his head.

Jumpy understood that this was Fatty's doing. Hecame down in anger and saw that Fatty was dancingand playing the music system in full volume.

The wooden house shook when Fatty, who was so

fat as his name suggests, was dancing on the loudmusic.

“What nonsense is this? Get out of my house justnow,” Jumpy shouted.

“It is good for health to dance on music and it isharmful to get angry. I would advise you also to dancewith me,” Fatty laughed.

“Stop talking nonsense and get out or….”“Or what? What will you do? Dare to take me out

and you see. Pray that it may not happen the other wayround that I throw all of you out,” Fatty threatened.

“This is the way you are returning my favour? Igave you place to live in my house,” Jumpy was

cursing the moment when he had given the house toFatty. He did not know what to do now.

With a new trouble, Fatty was troubling Jumpyeveryday so that Jumpy may leave the house and goand he would capture the place.

Jumpy thought, ‘Even on my explaining to himFatty is not understanding and his mischiefs areincreasing day by day. I will have to tackle himdifferently.’

Jumpy thought of a plan. It is always wiser toconfront a strong enemy with the power of the mind.

And he went to meet his friend Blacky Ant in itsburrow. Telling him his problem, Jumpy asked Blackyfor help.

Blacky assured, “You don't worry at all. I will helpyou anyway to teach Fatty a lesson.”

Thanking Blacky, Jumpy replied, “I expected thatfrom you.”

The next day, Blacky called all the ants of the jungleand explained them everything. The army of ants

entered Jumpy's house soon on getting a signal fromBlacky.

“Oh, so many ants?” Fatty was afraid. “Where areyou all entering?”

Blacky replied, “We are all Jumpy's guests. From now on we all will live here in our friend'shouse.”

In no time, the whole house was filled with ants.Fatty could only see ants wherever his eyes fell.

“Jumpy, take them out from here. You know howfrightened I am of ants. If anyone entered my trunk, Iwill not be able to do anything,” Fatty said to Jumpy.September (First) 2009 49

“They are my guests and they will stay hereonly. Aren't you ashamed of being scared of them.They are so small and you are so big and strong,”controlling his laugh Jumpy retorted.

Fatty was highly upset at seeing the army ofants. Forgetting dancing and singing now, he wasonly dreaming that ants may not get inside histrunk.

With this tension in his mind, Fatty startedappearing weak and unwell. Highly upset Fatty leftJumpy's house, never to return and was never seenagain.

Jumpy's plan was successful. With his wisdomhe was successful in getting rid of Fatty.

“Thanks for helping me, friend. Do rememberme in case you are in need,” Jumpy thanked otherants along with Blacky.

After completing their work, the ants returnedto their place. Jumpy again started his life afreshhappily in his house. ●

50 Champak

Champak English Sharp Eye-61Selected 5 Candidates--

Sanat Swain, Bhubaneswar. Juhi Singh, Jamshedpur. Kishan Kumar, Haridwar.

Arpan Mangal, Jhodhpur. Ruchita, Patna.

Find out the mistakes: Win prize - 53Selected 5 Candidates--

Zyaur Rehman, Champaran (Bihar). Kishan Kumar, Haridwar.

Adarsh Chamaria, Kolkata.Sudhir, Shrinivan Nagar. Ruchita, Patna.

“GAGAN, LOOK at the house. Why is there so much crowd? Surely, thereis something wrong. Come on, let

us see,” returning home after a picnic fromMangalvan, Kanchan said.

“Yes sure, we must go. Maybe, someone is introuble and we are able to help, “ Rajat said.

“Let us see,” Gagan asked the driver to turntowards the house.

The PythonThe Python

by Raj Kumar Dhar

“Where is this bus going, getting down theroad?” children were petrified.

“Don't worry, we will soon return. We are justgoing till that house,” Gagan tried to pacify them.The bus halted at a place which was crowded withpeople and the children got down.

“Son, a python has entered this house and is notcoming out. He has swallowed a cat and is sleeping.We are all upset since morning. It is evening now. Ifthe python does not come out, the residents of thehouse will have to take shelter somewhere elsetonight,” a villager said.

“What is that baba doing in that crowd?”pointing out to a man, Kanchan asked.

“He is a blessed Maharaj. We have called himfrom far off lands. He has good knowledge ofmagic hymns and herbs to ward off evil. He willshoo away the python by some rituals. He has beensaving us from floods, drought, diseases and spiritssince many years. Come, you too see how the babadoes away with the snake,” the villager said.

The children went to baba who told them, “Thereis no python, it is some evil who has taken this

shape to destroy the village.”The innocent villagers were frightened. They

pleaded, “Save us from this evil, Maharaj.” “Well, but in order to get rid of the evil, you will

have to prepare for some fire worship. I willmeditate for 24 hours which will cost a sum of 10thousand rupees minimum.”

“You don't worry about money, Maharaj. Startyour meditation. We will arrange for the money bycontribution,” people offered.

“No, you people do not have to spend a single52 Champak

penny. I will shoo away the python,” Kanchan cameup and offered.

Baba looked at Kanchan angrily and then said tothe villagers, “Tell these fools to vanish or all myplan will spoil.”

“We will go baba, don't worry. And yes we willtake you with us. But first, let us address theproblems of these villagers,” Kanchan smiled andasked the landlady of the house, “Do you haveonion and garlic in the house, aunty?”

“Yes son, I have it.” “Make a paste of them, quick,” Kanchan

requested.The landlady quickly prepared a paste. Kanchan

wrapped the paste into a piece of cloth and tying itup to a stick, asked courageously, “Where is thepython? Take me to him.”

The crowd was watching breathlessly. The babawas continuously staring angrily at Kanchan. Theboy reached near the snake without botheringabout the baba. He had the villagers and his friendswith him.

Kanchan extended the pouch of paste at one endof the stick near the nose of the python. With itsstrong smell the python moved a little. Kanchankept the stick close to his nose for him to smell.

The python shuddered and writhed. He couldnot tolerate the smell and thought of running away.People were stunned seeing him move out. Thesnake was scared seeing the crowd. He was hitupon his back once or twice with the stick.

Now it was the turn of the baba. As he triedrunning, the villagers caught him and beat

him black and blue, “This imposter is cheating us.He has been scaring us and cashing upon it sinceages. He has gulped down thousands of rupees.

Now we will hand over the imposter to thepolice. God bless this child who has got us rid fromthis trouble without a penny.”

Gagan said, “We are science students. Thechemical that comes out by churning onion and garlictogether in a paste is called Allyl Sulphide. Its strongpungent smell keeps away pythons and other snakes.Whenever you are faced with this kind of a trouble,try this solution that too without spending a penny.Do not get carried away by such imposters.”

“We have become aware. Now we will not listenand believe in any imposter,” and the villagerspraised the children and bid them goodbyehappily.

They then handed over the baba to the police. ●54 Champak

ONE DAY, Champakvan wasstruck by a great storm.Trees were uprooted and

nests of many a birds were blownaway in the strong winds.

A branch of a tree fell on ChuchuRabbit's house and his entire familygot buried under it. Only Whity wasleft. Whity was very small but hedid not lose hope. Some animals ofthe jungle, out of pity, wished togive him some money but Whityrefused to take them.

‘With the help of these alms, afew days can be spent but life has torun only by working.’

Thinking so, Whity startedsearching for some work. His eyes

by Indrajit Kaushik

Whity’Whity’s Plans Plan

suddenly fell on a sieve that had blown in the stormand come to him. Seeing the strong sieve made ofbamboo, Whity got an idea.

A river flowed through Champakvan which joinedSundervan on the other side. Whity made a boat out ofthe sieve and put it in the river.

Making the duck, squirrel and small animals sit inhis nano boat, Whity started rowing the boat to theother side of the river.

The money that he earned out of ferrying, madeWhity earn his bread. Animals of the jungle were veryhappy at Whity's sincerity and hard work.

One day, Browny Wolf came by. On seeing Whityand his boat, he went close to it. The rabbit made

him cross the river. When Whity asked for his fare,Browny refused paying it.

“Fare? What fare? Dare ask me for next and youwill repent.”

“Look brother, this is my work. If I don't earnmoney from my work what will I eat. It costs 5 rupees.You may give a little less,” Whity said.

But Browny left without paying a penny. Now hestarted doing this everyday. He would climb intoWhity's boat whenever he felt like and would getdown without paying anything. Seeing Brownysitting in the boat other small animals were afraidboarding the same. Whity's work started sufferingloss. He could not understand how to tackle Browny.

“If you make too much noise I will devour you. Sokeep doing your work quietly,” Browny almostthreatened Whity when he demanded money.

Whity could not come to terms with Browny'sbehaviour. He thought, ‘If the enemy is stronger, heshould be defeated with wisdom.’56 Champak

Whity made a plan. He made a big hole on thebottom of his boat and then closed it with some mudand covered it with cloth.

Now it was not visible. As usual as Whity putdown his boat in the water, Browny turned up.

“I have not had my first customer, you come later,”Whity said indifferently, knowing that Browny willnot listen to him.

“To hell with your first customer. I am getting late.Come on fast or…” and Browny held Whity's neck.

“Leave my neck, it is suffocating. You can sit in myboat,” Whity said.

Seeing his bullying work, Browny quickly sat inWhity's boat. Whity also rowed as fast as he could. Hewanted his boat to reach the middle of the river in thedeepest part as soon as possible so that his plan couldwork faster.

On the other hand, as the mud in the hole starteddiluting in water, it was totally removed when theSeptember (First) 2009 57

boat reached the centre of the river. Water from theriver started seeping in the boat.

Browny became nervous seeing the boat fill withwater. “Take the boat to the bank soon, it is about

to drown. I don't know to swim. Hurry up.”“I know that you do not know to swim. That is why

I had made a hole in the boat to make it your last trip,”and Whity quickly jumped out of the boat. “Nowenjoy the result of your doing.”

“You cannot do like this. Help me. I am drowning,”Browny shouted and screamed.

“Bye bye, see you later,” Whity swam to the banks.The rabbit heaved a sigh of relief finally, getting

rid of Browny who troubled him everyday. With hissavings he got a new boat. Once again Whity becamebusy in ferrying animals across the river in his boat.

Beating his enemy with his wisdom Whity proved that whatever the trouble one must faced it bravely. ●

58 Champak

Playing with lettersGiven below are 5 words. If you interchange the letters in

a word, you will get another word. Then try and form asentence using both the words.

For example: ACT changes to CATSentence: A film producer wants a cat to act in his film.

Change these words and make a sentence. Words: 1. Lump. 2. Mace. 3. Note. 4. Pots. 5. Rats.

Send your answers at—CHAMPAK (Playing with letters)

DELHI PRESSE-3, Jhandewala Extn., Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi - 110055.

The Grand Canyonis a steep-sided gorge. Itis carved by theColorado River in theUnited States in the stateof Arizona.

The Canyon is 446km long ranges a widthfrom 6.4 to 29 km andattains a depth of over1.83 km.

The Grand Canyonis unmatched throughoutthe world for the vistas itoffers to the visitors onthe rim.

Grand Canyon


THE FARMHOUSE ofGanpat Lal was verybig. There were trees

of various kinds in it and ithad many small and biganimals. They all livedhappily together.

Tappu Chicken was theson of Honey Hen. He mayhave just been born a fewdays back but he haddeveloped a sense of falsepride and arrogance. Hewas not scared of anyoneon the earth.

One day, Tappu washaving a walk outside hiscoop. A piece of bread was

by Anil Satija

ProudProudTTappuappu

lying a little distance away. Kalu Crow came to pickthat piece to eat.

“You scoundrel, what are you doing outside mycoop? Get away from here,” Tappu screamed. By nowKalu had already picked up the bread piece andflown off.

“Wow! What awe I have among the animals. Heran away quickly perhaps frightened of me,” Tappuwas highly elated at the thought.

One day, a wild cat was hiding somewhere andwas frightened of a dog. Tappu accidentally saw her,“You glutton, vanish from here. Don't you knowme?”

The cat did not pay any attention.“Did not you hear me? Wait, I will show you,”

Tappu arrogantly advanced towards her. By then thecat jumped and ran away.

Tappu was again happy to see that the cat hadfled. ‘She has run away as she was scared of me,’Tappu thought.

The chicken now started assuming that all wereafraid of him and that no one had the courage ofconfront him.

Manno Goat was grazing green grass at thefarmhouse. Some distance from her children of

Ganpat Lal were playing bat and ball.“You foolish goat, are not you hesitant to graze

grass in front of me? Don't you know who I am?”showing his big eyes, Tappu said, “O, so your life isnot dear to you. All big and small animals are scaredof me. This is the last warning. Get away from me,”saying, Tappu moved ahead a little.

Suddenly, the ball, children were playing with,hit Manno. On getting hurt, the goat too ran away.September (First) 2009 61

Tappu had not seen the ball. Seeing Manno too runaway, Tappu returned saying, “She has run away orshe would have seen the result of confronting me.”

This way Tappu became arrogant day by day. Hestarted thinking himself very powerful and full ofauthority.

Seeing this habit of Tappu, Rocky Dog advised,“Look Tappu, the result of false pride is very bad.You must not be arrogant everywhere. It is a badhabit. Listen to me and change yourself.”

But Tappu did not listen and behaved the sameway every time.

Some distance away from Tappu's coop lived62 Champak

Santo Buffalo. Ganpat Lal always tied Santo in itsbarn. There was a big plastic tub lying near her andwas filled with water. Tappu happened to come thereonce.

“Everyone has acknowledged my superiority butthis buffalo has never accepted it ever. I will teachher a lesson right now.”

Tappu kept shouting at Santo for a long time butto no avail. Tappu got more annoyed. He came flyingand sat on the tub's edge to scream at the buffalo.

By then Ganpat Lal arrived there with fodder forthe buffalo. He had not seen Tappu till then. He putthe fodder on the ground and went away. With a pushof the fodder and hay, Tappu fell inside the tub.

Santo mixed the fodder with its mouth in thewater. Tappu, getting mixed with the fodder, startedshouting. But Santo was eating away in her ownhappy mood. Just a few more minutes and Tappuwould drown.

Suddenly, Rocky Dog came running fromsomewhere. He managed to take out Tappu by

holding him in his mouth delicately with a lot ofeffort and difficulty.

Tappu was drenched badly with his headhanging. All his pride has suffered and finallyvanished.

“Rocky uncle, you are right that bad habits have abad result.”

“I am happy that you have understood earlyenough. Now go and rest a while,” stroking hishands on Tappu's head lovingly, Rocky gave himsome solace.

Tappu came back to his coop. This small incidenthad crushed Tappu's false pride. ●


EVERYONE ISfrightened ofsnakes thinking

that they all arepoisonous and bitewithout reason. Butthis is not true.

Once a snake sneaked inside Champakvan fromsomewhere.

On having seen him, the other animals ofChampakvan hid from thereptile. The snake wasalone and wanted to makefriends with all. Butbefore he could come out from his burrow,

64 Champak

FriendshipFriendshipby Gyandev Mukesh

everyone panicked and ran helter-skelter.The snake had heard that the old elephant in the

jungle was a sensible animal. He thought ofmeeting him. One day, the elephant was bathing inthe lake. The snake reached there. He hissed andsaluted the elephant.

The elephant too thought the same as othersabout the snake in the jungle. But he was notscared. He came before him and asked, “What is thematter? How are you here early in the morning?”

The snake cried, “I am a snake and have comefrom the town. My friends have lost their lives atthe hands of man. I am alone here and want thatthe jungle animals make friends with me.”

The elephant said, “You look gentle. I canbelieve that you will not bite anyone. But how canI trust you that even without reason you will notbite anyone.”

The snake said, “I am not poisonous. You cantest me if you want.”

The elephant said, “Who in the jungle will wantto put his life in danger?”

The snake replied, “There must be someonesurely in the jungle who believes that all snakes arenot poisonous.”

The elephant said, “Sorry brother, I will not beable to help you.”

Adisappointed snake slowly crawled towardshis burrow. He suddenly saw something white

in between the green grass. He went close. “This isa rabbit. How sweet it is!”

Something sharp had pierced the rabbit. Thesnake took it out with his teeth. The rabbit finallywas relieved. He thanked the snake.September (First) 2009 65

Rabbit said to the snake, “You are very nice. Youhave helped me. But I have never seen you before.”

The snake replied, “I am new to the jungle.”Rabbit asked, “Who are your friends?”Disappointed snake said, “No one in this

jungle.”The rabbit extended his hand and said, “From

today I am your friend. So tell me friend how can Ihelp you?”

The snake was too happy. He said, “I want tomake everyone my friend in the jungle. Buteveryone is frightened of me and thinks that I ampoisonous and will bite them.”

The rabbit said, “But you did not do that to me.You took out thorn from my leg. I am sure you are

not poisonous. Tomorrow a panchayat willbe held in the morning in the jungle. You

too be there and bite me in front ofeveryone. All the animals will

soon get to see that you arenot poisonous.”

The snake was excitedand with the assurance

of coming to thepanchayat next

Champak

day returned to his burrow.Next morning, the rabbit brought the snake

along with him in the panchayat. Everyone startedmoving out on seeing the snake. The rabbitassured, “There is no need to be frightened. I havetied a cloth over his mouth.”

The animals were felt better and they settleddown. King Sher Singh came too and the panchayatstarted. Taking permission from Sher Singh therabbit said, “Your Majesty, this snake should beallowed to join our meeting. I can assure you thathe is not poisonous.”

Sher Singh said, “You will have to prove it.”The rabbit opened the snake’s mouth and

ordered, “Friend, bite me. Nothing will happen tome. This will be a proof of you not beingpoisonous.”

Everyone was amazed at the rabbit's initiative.Sher Singh had a first-aid box with an anti-

venom medicine and so he allowed the snake tobite the rabbit. The snake bit the rabbit. Witheverything going as usual till the evening therabbit was well all through.

Now everyone was assured that they were not indanger from the snake. All came one by one toshake hands with the snake. Snake's happinessknew no bounds.

The panchayat ended and everyone left for theirhomes. Snake and rabbit were together. The snakehad tears in his eyes. He said, “Animals of the jungle have made friends with me based onproof but you made friends based on trust. Your friendship is exemplary. I will always beobliged.” ●


PPUUNNIISSHHMMEENNTT

BY KHALIL

BABLU ASKED HIS TEACHER–

SIR, IF ANYONE HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING AT ALL, THEN IS IT FAIR TO PUNISH HIM?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. BUT WHYARE YOU ASKING THIS?

BECAUSE, I HAVE NOT DONE THEHOMEWORK GIVEN BY YOU.

68 Champak

NIKU WAS a taxi driver in Champakvan. Hewas kind-hearted, hard-working, honest andwas always cheerful.

His work was to pickup and distribute allpackets from therailway station to eachhouse of Champakvan.The only drawback inhim was that he did not understand the

ImportanceImportance

of Tof Timeimeby Shalu

importance of timeand the right way to

work. He lacked the senseof timing, what work should

be done when.Like everyday, Niku today

also filled all the packets into thetaxi but in an jumbled up manner.

The packets contained hens’ food andmany other useful things.

As usual, he forgot what work was tobe done first and what later.

He met Damru Dada on the way. Whenhe told Damru Dada about his problem, hesaid, “First give food to the hens. They arehungry.”

Bidding goodbye to Damru, Niku left.On reaching the fields he found that thehens’ food was tucked at the bottom. Hethought, 'Why don't I first distribute

other packets and he started on histrip.

As the packet was very heavy, itgave way and the hens’ food

started falling. It was spillingwherever Niku’s taxi went.

When the hens sawthis happening,

they charged on the dropped food. Now the hens spread in the entire Champakvan.

Suddenly, Damru Dada called out Niku. He made himrealise what he had done.

Then Dada advised him, “You take the taxi back tothe field. The hens will follow the food and go back tothe fields,” Niku did as said and heaved a sigh ofrelief.

Damru Dada suggested to Niku, “Look Niku, firstplan your mode of working, then complete the

work according to the time available. You can takehelp from someone. Time is precious. Do not waste itlike that.”

From then on Niku worked as told by DamruDada, realising the importance of time. ●

My Genius BrotherBrother of mine,Who is very genial to me,Who has a genial approach to reach the goal,Who has a initiative courage.Brother of mine!Who has love towards me,Who is a thread of my cloth,Who is very keen to his work.Brother of mine!Who is the candle that melts for me,Who is doubling and doubling the sum for his

future,Who has hope to reach the destiny.

—Yesha R. Patel,Sri Sathya Sai Vidyaniketan, Navsari, Gujarat.


TTeddyeddyandand

HoneyHoneyby Manoj Rai

ABEAR named Teddy lived in the hillyregions of Champakvan. He had a coat ofbrown hair on his entire body. He loved

being in his den all the time. He would only comeout when he was hungry. He preferred sleepinginside all day.

‘Tup...tup...tup,’ the sound of water early in themorning woke him up. He saw that it was rainingoutside. He was very happy but he realised that he was hungry. He tried coming out of the den. As it was raining heavily, he went inside and sleptoff. But he could not sleep. He came out again.

The ground was slushy due to rains. But he hadno choice. In the rain he got wet and started feeling cold and shivered. There were some densetrees ahead in which rain too could not penetrate.He went in that direction. He looked around and skywards but could not see anything to eat. On top of that, the branch of the tree was hurtinghim.

He spotted beehives hanging from the tree. Hewas excited.

“Oh, honey!” words came out instantly. But thebees were swarming all around. He tried to layhands on the honey. He had a scare that if hetouched the bees, they would sting him.

He thought of a plan. With the help of thebranch he tried to drop a hive. As expected the beesgot provoked.

Teddy saw that a swarm of bees was hoveringover his head. He ran with awe but the bees were inno mood to spare him.

His eyes suddenly fell on a hollow trunk of atree. Teddy tucked himself inside it and kepthiding in it for some time. He built up courage toSeptember (First) 2009 73

peep out and the bees again got after him. “It seemsI will have to spend my entire life here,” Teddymurmured.

He suddenly hit on a plan. With full force he rantowards the lake. By the time the bees could reachhim, he jumped into the lake.

He popped out from the water to see that thebees were waiting for him outside. He decidedagain and taking a deep breath he started74 Champak

swimming in reverse direction inside the water.The bees did not have an idea like this and keptwaiting outside on this side of the bank.

Teddy came out from the other side and ran. Heagain reached the same forest where the beehiveswere hanging. He looked around to find no one. Hequickly broke a branch and dropped a big hive.With the hive on his back he ran towards his den.That afternoon he had a feast of honey. He realisedhow foolish was he to have been lazy to keepsleeping in the den and losing on all finer things oflife. ●


CricketCricket, Cricket!Everywhere, here, there, everywhere.

Dhoni is the best,He takes everyone’s test.

Harbhajan is also the best,But oh, he creates a lot of mess!

Rahul Dravid, what to say about him?He is so slim and trim.

Sachin Tendulkar, he always hits a six,I think he plays a trick.

Yuvraj Singh, Oh, I think he is the best player of all,That is why he missed the ball.

Sreeshanth, Oh! Harbhajan slapped him so tightly,That he did not take this lightly.

I think cricketers have a common chemistry,That is why they had a victory.

—Gurveen Dany, Delhi.

Sanju: When I wentto your house yesterday,why were you singing inyour bathroom?

Raju: Because thereis no latch in mybathroom.

—Raju, Mumbai.

*1st child: If you can go

right up to the top of thetrack in this torchlight, Iwill pay 1,000 rupees.

2nd child: I am not a

fool. I know that themoment I will reach atthe top of the track, youwill switch off thetorchlight.

—Raj Kumar, Mysore.

*Sandip: Today I lost

2 kg of my body weight.Sanju: I am sure you

must have had a bathtoday.

—K. Kumar, Mysore.

*

Mummy scolded Buntyas she returned fromshopping: Bunty, youbroke such an expensiveglass today, let yourfather come.

Bunty smilingly said:Papa has already seen itand he was saying that letmy mother return.

—Mahesh, Mumbai.

*Nimmy: Today I fell

down in the school.Papa: Really, then

you must have cried a lot. Nimmy: No, I could

not cry because right atthat moment the finalbell in the school rang.

—Roshan, Mumbai.

*Sonu to his Papa: How

much does a plasticsurgery cost?

Papa: In lakhs.Sonu: And how much

it would cost if weprovide our own plasticfor the plastic surgery?

—Sushil, Delhi.

*Ruby to the Doctor: My

brother Jack snores a lotat night.

Doctor: Take this pill.Ruby: Will he then

sleep properly?Doctor: No, you will

sleep properly.—Usha, Hyderabad.

*A child was travelling

to his school in the car.Suddenly, the driver appliedthe brakes.

Child: What you aredoing?

Driver: I was avoid-ing a stone on the road.

Child: But why youdid not blow the horn?

—Rahul, Faridabad.

*

“VOW! I got one more coin,” WhityRabbit felt delighted, while playingcarrom. His twin brother Naughty

Rabbit was playing a computer game.

SS mm aa rr tt DDeevvii llssby Anil Satija

“What is there to feel delighted? You only aregoing to get all the coins, as you are playing allalone.”

“Mummy and Papa have not returned home yet.They had said that they would return by 10 and nowit is already 10.30.”

“They have gone to attend the wedding, it takestime. Relax, I am there with you. You don't worry.”

“I am not scared. Let them return at their ownconvenience.”

“I know you get scared even when a smallcockroach crawls by your feet,” Naughty teasedWhity.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.“ I think parents are back,” said Naughty Rabbit.

Whity Rabbit went to answer the bell and asked,“Who is there?”

“I am your father's friend. I have travelled a longdistance to meet him. Open the door,” came thesweet voice from outside.

“But Papa is not home. You please visittomorrow as it is very late to call on anybody.”

“O.K fine, I will come tomorrow. At least, can Ihave some water? I am very thirsty.”

Whity went to the kitchen and fetched water forthe visitor at the door. He opened the door.

Suddenly, Kaptu Wolf pushed Whity Rabbitwho had opened the door. Whity Rabbit fell down.Baddy Cheetah also barged in and bolted the doorfrom inside.

“So you were acting very smart? You were notopening the door. See, all your smartness has gonefor a six,” said Baddy Cheetah and trained hisrevolver at the 2 brothers.September (First) 2009 79

“None of you try even to move or else you aredead. Don't try to be smart. Do you understand whatI am saying?”

“O.K., hurry up now and get us all the cash,jewellery and valuables in the house.”

Naughty Rabbit was scared to death to find himin an unexpected situation. His mind stoppedworking and stood like statue. But Whity Rabbit wasthinking fast how to handle the situation and how toget out of it.

“Look uncle, the valuables are here only. Butwhen our parents go out, they keep all the jewelleryand cash in a bag and hang it on the tree in thecourtyard outside.”80 Champak

“What nonsense? You are trying to fool us. Doesanybody handle his cash, jewllery this way?” saidBaddy angrily.

“Believe me, it is true. If you don't find the bagoutside, you can punish me the way you want. WhyI won't love my life? Why would I lie?”

“I think the little rabbit is speaking truth. Whatis harm in checking? Let us check it out,” said Baddy.

Kaptu and Baddy went out to satisfy themselves.When Baddy saw the tree in little light out in thecompound, he felt happy. “It seems rabbit isspeaking truth. I can see bag-like object on the tree.I am climbing the tree and you take care of theserabbits.”

Baddy started climbing the tree. Whity Rabbitheld the hand of Naughty Rabbit and started

moving towards the door. Greedy Kaptu was busylooking at the bag on the tree.

As Baddy reached near the bag-like object, hetried to grab it. But he was not at all prepared forwhat was there in store for him.

“Help… help…” Baddy started shouting.Actually, the object which looked like a bag was nota bag but it was a beehive.

Thousands of honeybees had surrounded Baddyand were stinging him all over his body. He was stillshouting for help. He was in great pain. He lost hisbalance and fell down on Kaptu. Both of them werebadly injured as they broke their limbs.

While the robbers were fooled by Whity Rabbit,he bolted the door from inside. They raised thealarm which attracted their neighbours’ attention.They gathered to help them.

Whity Rabbit borrowed his neighbour's mobileSeptember (First) 2009 81

phone and called up his father and said,” Papa, onthe way back get the police along with you. Till thenthe honeybees will be a good host to our visitors.”

The faces of Baddy and Kaptu were swollen withstings and they were in pain. They were left with nostrength to move.

Soon, the police also arrived.“First, please take us to the hospital, then you can

take us to the police station,” said Kaptu.“We had lost our mind to get involved with these

2 devils. I will leave this stealing business ever. Iwill earn my bread and butter by working hard,”said Baddy.

Everybody laughed at their submission.Inspector Jumbo Elephant congratulated WhityRabbit and Naughty Rabbit for their bravery andpresence of mind to get the robbers arrested. ●

DPBQA18

82 Champak

SHARPEYE

67

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