Hari Om Parents,
We started our class with OMs and opening prayer.
CHINMAYA PLEDGE- we are continuing to learn the meaning of the pledge.
Chapter 33
WE LIVE HONESTLY THE NOBLE LIFE OF SACRIFICE AND SERVICE
What is Honesty? Speaking the truth which we have covered, such as telling your parents when you break something. But should you say everything you are thinking? We are kind to our friends and not say anything that would hurt them.
STORY of Mr Colgate
Sam was 16 year old who left his home to find a job. He found a job helping a boatman. Sam had a white “lump” that he was holding. The boatman asked him what it was. Sam told him that he carries the soap so that he can wash his hands and body to stay clean. The boatman advised Sam to sell this soap honestly and he will be rewarded. Sam followed his advice. Sam was the pioneer of Colgate products.
We watched a small clip of Mr Colgate. His integrity helped to grow his company to be successful.
We watched the story of the King and his 3 sons. The king gave each son dead seeds and asked each son to bring what the seeds produce. Only the youngest son came back without an alive plant. The youngest son was awarded the kingdom because he told the truth.
What is Noble Life? We have already discussed nobility in our alphabet safari. A noble person is filled with love, kindness, good values, patience, forgiveness, courage, disciplined, friendly and cheerful- all of the qualities that we have learned so far. We discussed Mother Theresa’s noble life.
SACRIFICE and SERVICE. We reviewed how parents sacrifice making food even when they feel sick. Kids told us firemen, police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers all serve us.
ACTIVITY- Each child was given a sheet of paper with multiple useful things in our lives. Kids circled the useful things such as phone, apple, Krishna, pencil, brush.
Chapter 34
PRODUCING MORE THAN WHAT WE CONSUME AND GIVING MORE THAN WHAT WE TAKE
Producing means to make something. We gave examples such as making food, building cars, toys, clothes,.
Consume means buying or taking, such as food, clothes, toys.
GIVING more than what we take
We asked kids what do we take? Food, shelter, clothes, toys.
We asked kids what can we give? Old toys, clothes, food, love.
STORY of sharing water
There was a small village in a desert. Water was scarce. But villager Raj and his son Rohil lived next to water from a deep wellspring. They shared all of their water without asking any questions. One day, Raj and his son had to leave the village. They asked the servant to serve the water to everyone. The servant started getting upset when the villagers would not say thank you. So he stopped giving water to them. He stopped giving water to anyone that he thought was not kind, not smart, too lazy, too busy. The villagers could not please the servant. They were getting sick without any water. One day, Rohit arrives disguised in the village and sees this. He tells the servant that he will start serving everyone water, even the servant.
Moral- Share will all and you will be rewarded
STORY- Golden Mongoose
Kids watched a beautiful story. In the Mahabharata, after victory over the Kauravas, Yudishthira was crowned king. He performed a beautiful Asvamegha Yajna, offered gifts to all of his guests. Everyone praised Yudishthira. A half golden mongoose comes to Yajna and does not turn his other half into gold. The mongoose tells everyone that this Yajna was not done with a pure heart.
The mongoose tells them how his half of the body turns into gold.
One day in a village, there was a famine. One family had just enough rice for food for the day.A hungry person knocks on their door. The family sees how hungry he is and the father offers his rice. They see he is still hungry. His wife, son, and daughter in law also offer their share of the rice. The Devas see this and bless the family. A beautiful chariot comes and takes the family to Devaloka. The mongoose comes to this house and rolls on the floor where there were some rice kernels. Where he touches the rice, his body turns to gold because of the unselfish deeds done by the family. The mongoose travels to each Yajna to see if his other half of the body turns to gold.
Moral- Everytime we give, Bhagvan always makes sure we get something in return.
We assembled in the temple hall and chanted Chapter 15 together, in preparation for May 9th.
ANNUAL PLAY Sat JUNE 13
Thank you parents for letting us know your kids participation in the annual play. Please make sure each child comes to class as we will start practicing in the next 2 weeks. We will need help with props as well. We know end of the school year gets very busy. We really appreciate your help in this.
Next class is April 17th.
Pranams,
Anuradha and Kavita
