MODERN GIRL

MODERN GIRL

 

There was a time, not so long ago, when girls weren't accorded an equal status in society. They did not get the same opportunities as boys. This was true of all fields, whether it was education or professional life. Their lives were generally confined within the four walls of the house.

 

Girls were married off at a very young age. They had to stay at home and concern themselves with household chores. They rarely went out anywhere, especially not alone. Working women were a rarity. However, things are changing gradually in the big cities. Girls are finally beginning to get their due.

 

In facts, they have been regularly outshining boys as far as senior school results are concerned. Today, one can hardly find an area where they haven't left a telling marl. This is true of government and politics, business, communication and entertainment, finance and literate, etc.

 

They have the same freedom as boy. Many of them have done Pakistan proud on the international scene.

 

Of course, thing have not improved as much as they should have. But it is obvious that what the girls have lacked is not talent or ability but opportunity. The modern Pakistani girls has proved to be equal to men in every aspect and, sometimes, even better.

CONVINCING PARENTS FOR PICNIC

CONVINCING PARENTS FOR PICNIC

 

My class was going for an outing, but my parents, specially my father did not agree to allow me to join them. The reason was my poor performance in the terminal tests. I thought of speaking to him the other day in the evening.

 

First of all I made up my mind to be regular in studies and daily after 8 p.m., I sat for two hours in the drawing room solving sums in my father's presence, while other members of the household enjoyed the TV programmes.

My father used to notice it. But no one said anything till a week before the picnic. on day two of my friends dropped in the evening to call me for the evening stroll. I expressed my inability and told them that I could not break my vow to be at my desk for Mathematics at about 8 p.m.

 

That was the turning point.  My father was now convinced about my studies. He had perhaps a second thought about the whole issue. The day, before the picnic, he came from his room and asked me to join the picnic, much to the surprise and anguish of all in the family, specially my unrelenting mother. The need to convince them did not arise because my care for studies as they were convinced of my actions.

HENPECKED HUSBAND

HENPECKED HUSBAND

 

Early in the morning he gets up, and prepares a cup of tea before the lady shakes out of her sound slumber, and shows signs of being up and awoke for the day. After tea he brings the paper from the gate and taking the dog and the bucket goes out for the morning stroll and milk.

 

Returning home he dusts the furniture, shelves, changes bed sheets, and arranges the wardrobes. A quick shave and bath, he is ready to peel potatoes, and bring the other necessary groceries for the kitchen. Sending children to school, polishing shoes, washing the vehicle, and trimming the plants, or mowing the lawn before going to office. At times he spreads the washings of the day on the line, or even washes the clothes, left in the bathroom, as it saves him from nagging.

Back home, the same routine, tea-cups, vegetables, kitchen duties, teaching kids, doing home-work for them, and maintaining accounts for the money spent by him, if the lady happens to be a working type, and thus equally or mostly busy, than he is.

On holidays and Sundays his work increases due to visitors. He notes down the phone-calls for the lady and tries to please her in more than one way

 

EXPLAINING COMING LATE

EXPLAINING COMING LATE

 

Dady! I was held up due to the electricity in the town. At about 9.45, when the play was approaching the climax, the light went off. There was utter confusion in the hall. The audience as well as the actors were much agitated what to do. I sent two of my friends to a tent house to arrange for four gas-lanterns immediately. Meanwhile, I arranged for a few candles and torches for the nearby houses. With great difficulty I could control the crowd.

 

The two boys came back with the lanterns and the play resumed. We had to enact a few interesting scenes from the play, just for the satisfaction of the public.  The people cursed the WAPDA authorities for the failure of the lights.

 

By 11, every thing was over and then only I could leave the hall, after arranging for the other participants return journey as many of them had to travel long distances. Some girls were dropped by the escorts at their homes since the transport had also stopped. We had to hire a few taxies too.

 

That was the reason Mummy! for my late return. Since I was the incharge for the staging of the play, I could not leave the stage in a chaotic condition. Hope you and Papa would not mind my late coming, realising my responsibility towards my team.

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

 

Te old and oft-repeated saying is 'Look before you leap' and 'Think before you speak'

 

The story of the dog and his unwise master is well known. The master came home and finding stains of blood on the paws and the mouth of his pet dog. Shot him dead, later, he came to know that dog had fought with the wolf, and had saved his son, who was hale and hearty. Nothing could be done later, and the master had lost a very faithful pet.

 

The world has been suffering, time and again, due to the many wars in which millions of men and huge amounts of money have been lost. Even now, piling of arms and ammunitions is being done by most nations. We should learn lessons from the two Japanese cities. Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the atom bombs caused untold misery to humanity.

 

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A DOG

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A DOG

 

I am the fifth child of my parent. My father was an Alsatian but my mother wan an ordinary breed. I was born very near a hotel kitchen. There I could get the leftovers to eat. Later on, when I grew up, I was turned out and I became a street dog.

 

One day, I was caught by boy who used to take me for joy rides in his car. He sold me to an Air Force officer. I stayed with him for long. I was very happy with hi. He put a leather collar with my name around my neck. He used to take me in the aeroplane also. Thus I enjoyed the aerial view of most the important cities.

 

When the officer left for a foreign country, the presented me to a friend of his , a businessman. The second master loved pets. He had a number of dogs, cats, birds, hares, tortoises,, ponies etc. he had a big yard for them. He once took me to a dog-show, where I got the second prize. Then he realized my importance, and started taking me in his car to his friends in the evening, almost every week.

 

A lady look a fancy for me. She persuaded the businessman to give me to her, for a good sum. She was a widow and her son, Jim, needed a pet. I lived with them very happily. Jim got admission recently in good English School in the U.K. and the lady also went with hi. Then bad days started. She left me with maid-servant. She also had to leave me for good, as she already had a big family and did not need. She left me to a street dog.

 

My future is now very uncertain. But I hope to find some good home again. Who knows what is in store for me?

FREE YEAR AFTER SCHOOL

FREE YEAR AFTER SCHOOL

 

This year I will appear in the Senior Secondary Examination, and since I am underage by more than 6 months, I am not likely to get admission in any college or course, which as engineering or medical etc.

 

I intend spending this time about a year and a quarter, in planning and later fulfilling my cherished wishes

 

My first hobby is gardening. In intend growing plants of flowers, fruits, shrubs and vegetables also, in big spacious yard around our bungalow in the cantonment area.

 

Since my father has not looked to some of the urgent needs and improvement of our house due to his transfers from place to place, in the army service, I will be able to look after the same.

 

Hence, cam day this year and a quarter will prove to be a bon to me and my family. I will enjoy my hobbies and complete some urgent duties also.

OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS

OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS

 

Man is a social animal. This fact itself proves our nearness to the animal kingdom.

 

Animal are very faithful and helpful. Right from the very early ages, a dog is perhaps the animal who has helped mankind the most. The cow comes next. She provides us milk, and bullocks for the agriculture work. The horse or the mule is yet another animal who helps mankind in more ways then one.

 

A cat is also know to be among the best pets. Children, specially the younger ones, like her very much. They carry her in their arms like a puppy as she is lighter and softer to handle.

 

Among the animals we can include goats, lambs, hares or rabbits also. The presence of an animal in a house is considered to be a good omen. In villages, farmers own cows, buffaloes, bullocks, horses, mules, ponies and even asses for milk, farm work and over and above that, as status symbol. The animals are indeed our best friends.

OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY

OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY

 

He was praised by everyone for his said brave deed

Ever since I was admitted to this school. I was very keen to see the spacious hall, where only the student of the higher classes were allowed to go during the lunch hour. To others it was something very important, where one could go only with the prior permission of the class teachers. But I being a student of Class IX did not have to face that difficulty any more.

 

It was on July 20 that I got a chance of peeping through the glass-panes of the big almirahs. I found out that there were some heavy volumes. It was difficult for me to even move them. Then there were some very small ones also. These were like toys which even my younger brothers and sisters would like to have. Most of the other books were of an average size.

 

There was an awe-inspiring official who appeared to be very busy. I could read from the name-plate that he was the librarian. He had heaps of books on all sides of this table, and in shelves behind his seat. It seemed as if he was drowned in a sea of books. Here I remembered.

 Alone, alone, all all alone,

Alone in a wide, wide sea

                                                Ancient Mariner

                                                (S.T. Coleridge)

 

Nearby was the Newspaper section, where about 20 newspapers of various languages were displayed on stands. There were about 60 magazines also on Sports, Science, Current Affairs, Commerce, Management and Computer Sciences.

 

This grand library had a Reference Section for teacher also. I learnt that there were about 6,00 books on various subjects. I was happy that I saw the library that day.

FIVE THINGS I LIKE

FIVE THINGS I LIKE

 

All of us have our likes and dislikes. So have I, and my dislikes are many. But as for my lies, there are five thins that I like the most. These are poetry, music, excursions, meeting people and reading through-provoking books and magazines

 

Being a student of literature, I have read Wordsworth and his poems have left a lasting effect on me. Others poets of Nature who has impressed me a lot are Keats and Robinson.

 

Music, people say, has its effects even on tree, plants animals and their grown. Milch cows have shown better yield of milk after listening to music. Whereas much is concerned even I like Madam Noor Johan and Mehdi Hasan most.

 

I have gone on excursions to almost all the nearby hill stations and health resorts. Even I enjoy going on educational, scientific and historical tours also.

 

Meetings people from various other profession is my another hobby. I have pen friends among intellectuals, artistes, actors, dancers, scientists and university professors.

 

Reading books on Philosophy, Religion, anthropology, World History and Literature is my last but not the least liking. I subscribe to various newspapers, magazines and books on these and different other subjects.

 

 

A BRAVE DEED

A BRAVE DEED

 

Last year, in the month of June, there was a big fire in my neighborhood shops. The gutted shops were mainly of jute and plastic dealers. There were three godowns of plastic toys and two ales depots of jute and gunny bags. One fireman did a marvelous job there. He was later granted medal with two special increments by concerned officers

 

The fire was first reported at about 2 a.m. and the fire engines reached the fire spot around 2.15 a.m. it took them eight hours to extinguish the raging blaze. Luckily, there were no casualty. The staff of these shops was caught unaware. Two of them fainted due to shock. It was there that the fireman made them sit, for two whole hours, under his care. He seemed to be everywhere, looking after the people in distress. He rendered first aid to some of the victims of the fire, and after a while telephoned the local hospital and called for doctors to look after these man.

 

When he came to know that an old man was trapped in a godown, without caring for this own safety, he immediately climbed the roof of a burnt shop with the help of a rope ladder and brought the old man out with the assistance of two other workers of the shop.

EDUCATIONAL TOUR

EDUCATIONAL TOUR

 

Traveling according to Sir Francis Bacon, the famous essayist is education. In the earlier days, before going on long tours, people used to depart from their places with great amount of ceremony, and their friends and relatives also used go give them a warm farewell.

 

But with the advancement of science and new modes of travel developing, going out has become as pleasure now. Even the government allows many concessions and grants for educational tours

 

The railways regularly allow concession on tours to educational and historical centers, and places of importance like the dams powerhouses, lakes, hill stations tourist resorts, factories, industrial-houses, gardens sanctuaries, monuments and so on.

 

When students leave their surroundings and stay out for a few days with their friends and teacher or guides, they automatically develop self-confidence, responsibility, self-reliance, tolerance and over and above all, acquire general knowledge

 

Simply reading books on science, commerce, arts, medicine, management, computers, education, law, engineering, history, architecture etc. produces only book worms. For having enlightened citizens for a better world order, we should encourage educational tours in our schools and colleges and thus develop the overall personality of the young boys and girls.   

TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL BROTH

TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL BROTH

 

There are men and there are men, and every stone is not a gem. No two men can be the same. They differ in one aspect or the other. If both are talented. They many not be equally so.

 

When we take up a project, we need a team of workers. But to avoid mix-ups, we all divide responsibilities, otherwise there is bound to be confusion. At one job there should be one hand.

 

If the boat is rowed by more than one boatman, they should have a perfect and clear understanding. Otherwise each one will do so differently and cause mishap

 

In a kitchen, if more than one cook prepares the same dish, there is possibility of the dish being spoiled if all are allowed to have their say

 

Everyone's work is no one's responsibility. Each person does the job the way likes. The result is nothing but a big chaos

 

To sum up, we can say that too many hands always create confusion. In a house with too many servant or masters, there will no order. So cooks in a kitchen, if too many, spoil the broth.

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE

 

This is oft-repeated proverb. Like all proverbs, it too aims at keeping people away from mistakes and their consequent results. More often than not, they come to seek our help when it is too late. This one is a sort of spear against the devil of carelessness

 

Quite literally, it means that if we stitch the torn part of a garment, we may make it last for a while. If we neglect that tear in the dress, it is bound to fall apart and become useless soon.

 

Similarly, the proverb is applicable in all other spheres of life. Suppose one is participating in a horse race. If he does not check the hoofs of his horse at the time of starting, it is highly probable the horse may falter, and thus the rider may lose the race. That one second's care might have won him a prize.

 

A man falling ill may be cured by ordinary medicines, if given in time. But a few day's lapse may make him unfit for any cure, even with costly drugs. A definite and timely action at the moment is very important.

 

A boat may sink if the crack, once noted by the crew, is not immediately plugged. So we say, a stitch in time saves us from having to take nine stitches later on

THE MAN WHO INSPIRED ME

THE MAN WHO INSPIRED ME

 

Can I ever forget the octogenarian who stayed with us for two days?  He was a tll, frail-looking man who commanded respect. He had immense patience and strove for perfection in every thing.

 

He was sent to say in our house to avoid the hustle and bustle of the crowd and noise due to a wedding in our neighbour's house. My mother had agreed to have him, as she was confident of giving him a calm and peaceful atmosphere in our house. But lo and behold, my sister arrived with her boisterous, naughty kids for a week.

 

My mother got up early in the morning to give milk to the kids before they started screaming. Mr. Akram was up too, so mother offered him tea. As she was having tea with him, the kids came crowding in. they fired question after questions. He calmly sat there, answering their questions with such patience that I was flabbergasted. In this place I would have felt exasperated and brushed them away.

 

They asked him to make one thing after another. He not only made the things but also strove for perfection. I could not help but ask, why he was taking such pains, it would tire him. Moreover, the children were bound to destroy these things in no time. He said to me in no uncertain terms young one, never be sloppishly, whatever you undertake to do, put in effort and do it to the best of your ability.

 

Even now, when I do something carelessly, his words echo in my ears. He inspires me to take pain in everything I do. I hope I will at least be half the perfectionist he is.

MY GREAT LEADER

MY GREAT LEADER

 

My great leader is the founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He was born in Karachi on 25^th of December 1876. He is the greatest leader of my county. He devoted his life to the creation of Pakistan. First of all he worked for Hino-Muslim unity. But later on, he joined the Muslim League. He worked day and night for the Muslims. Physically, the Quaid-e-Azam was a weak and thin person. His health was not good, but on the other hand he was a man of strong will. He had to face a large number of problems and hardships but the remained firm to his stand. The English and Hindus could not succeed to win him over. He always showed strong will power at all occasions.  

 

He was the man of courage. He was a brave man and fearless leader. To get Pakistan he did not care of this broken health. He was  a very wise man. He had an independent judgment and opinion. He decided every thing in the light of reasons. He was sincere and devoted leader, and upright and honest. He never worked for this personal gain or fame. He devoted all his time and energy to work for the achievement of Pakistan. He was always ready to serve others. Although his health was poor, yet he worked hard for this nation. He liked his people and worked for them. He advised the whole nation to work. He said, "Work, work and work

TRAVELLING IN AN OVER CROWED BUS

TRAVELLING IN AN OVER CROWED BUS

 

            Traveling by bus is not an enjoyable experience and I prefer traveling by my car. I never travel in an over-crowded bus. It is only an ordeal to enter an over crowded bus but to buy your ticket, maintain vertical posture and alight at your destination without injury to your limbs or property is also a feat.

 

            Once I was standing at the head of the queue and did not enter as the bust was over-crowded, when a friend came tearing from the rear. He almost forced me to board the bus telling me not worry as somebody would give seats to us.

 

            Inside the bus, it was like the plight of packed sardines which try to get out of the tin from its bottom. I had to move from the entrance to the exit to buy my ticket and that too in a bus which was not just packed to capacity but was not even meant for carrying standing passengers. In the process, many boots stepped on my shoes and I too trod on many boots.

 

            Twice I found myself in a very uncomfortable position. Once, because a co-passenger tried to relieve his suffering by smoking, but I was unable to bear the smoke, and I moved away quickly. Believe me, it was not so easy. From the frying pan to the fire was never truer than in this case. I found myself next to a stinking man and I moved again.

 

            Fortunately my friend's prediction came true. A thorough young perfect gentleman offered me his seat near the window. My misery came to an end but I resolved never again t travel by an over crowded bus.

 

THE PARCEL THAT NEVER REACHED

THE PARCEL THAT NEVER REACHED

 

            According to a recent news item in the newspapers that railways, air companies and other carriers always pay fantastic sums every year as compensation for parcels and goods that could not be delivered and got lost in transit.

 

            It remanded me of an amusing incident relating to a parcel that never reached. Imagine your feelings if you suddenly discover that the sweets you have consumed (without payment of course) were really the left-over from a marriage feast, sent by the bride's father to his sweeper, who was recently transferred to another town just before the wedding.

 

The sweepers of our locality visited the station everyday to inquire about the parcel which he expected from his former master. He even told the concerned authorities what he expected to get. But even before he had received he receipt and gone to collect the parcel, the staff had enjoyed the sweets. They were too shy to admit before the sweeper that they had eaten the delicacies, and too horrified to tell their children and spouses that the sweets they had brought home were in fact left-overs. 

 

            Losses of parcels de to pilferage or negligence are, however, not funny. Some contain machinery needed to put life into the crippled industrial plants, leading to untold misery to the laid-off labour. Other losses involve emotional upsets caused by the loss of cherished items, extremely valued by the senders, and those who hoped to receive them.

 

THE FUSSY BUS CONDUCTION

THE FUSSY BUS CONDUCTION

 

            God has created men and women. The said conductor, with whom I had the misfortune of traveling. Was a fussy one and made the life of passengers miserable, whenever he could.

 

            I boarded a lightly over-crowded bus. Men, women and children stood near the conductor for tickets. He was shouting at them, particularly the weaker passengers where he expected no retaliation for minor things. Suddenly he stopped issuing ticket and refused to accept the one rupee note, as it was slightly soiled. The passenger did not have another note, and he was not willing to either travel without ticket or get down. To break the impasse, I exchanged the note and the process of issuing the ticket resumed.

 

            Intermittently, he was almost shouting at the passengers to move forward, and threatened to stop the bus, making everyone quite uncomfortable.

 

            Suddenly he noticed a passenger who was smoking. He almost pounced on that man and wanted him to through his cigarette. The passenger was not the one to be easily cowed down. The argued that 'no smoking' applied to the front and sitting portion of the bus only and not to the rear position. The argument continued. While many passengers waited for tickets. Some of whom were nearing their destinations, grew restless and had joined in. At last the altercation ended only when the smoker passenger had enjoyed the last puff.

 

            By the same time, the bus reached to my destination and I alighted with a prayer that God may give the bus conductor some good sense

FLOODS

FLOODS

 

Floods are a natural phenomenon which from various geographical features. They benefit mankind by forming alluvial soil but they also cause tremendous havoc to human life and property.

 

Floods are natural calamity and take place regularly in certain areas. Whey they are expected, they do not cause much harm. In endemic areas people are prepared to face to floods. Some people even take advantage of floods to enrich their soil, trap fish and move logs of woods flowing in the flood waters. But when they are not expected, they cause untold misery. The tremendous rush of water demolishes and carries away the houses, top-soil, human beings and animals. It inundates large areas under cultivation, wrecks public services and makes life miserable.

 

Floods however, have always brought out the best in men. They organize rescue and relief for people whom they do not known and from whom they expect no personal gain. Voluntary organizations arrange relief camps and provide medical facilities.

 

The increasing incidence of floods can be definitely brought down with the construction of dams and afforestation in the catchments areas. Desilting of rivers in the plains will also help. But these things can be done by the government alone as these require resources on a large scale and manpower. But people can also contribute at individual level by planting trees and preventing denudation of forest cover.

 

MY FEELINGS ON GETTING LOW MARKS

 

MY FEELINGS ON GETTING LOW MARKS

 

An examination is at best a gamble but after writing an examination, we know what we can expect. I had worked hard for this examination and I had done my papers will. I was quite confident that I would get a high 1^st division. There was a sneaking hop in my mind that I might get a merit position. I waited anxiously for the results.

 

On the day when the results were to be announced, I reached school well before time. As soon as the results were put on the board, I hunted for my roll number. I had sacred a first division but just scraped through it. I could not believe it. How could I get such low marks? All my answers were correct. Then how had I scored only 80% marks in mathematics and how could I get barely forty-five marks in social studies? I was very in it. I could not believe it and I felt cheated.

 

At first I felt like crying. All my hard work had gone waste and I was in such a rage that I would have accosted my examiner, if I could only meet them. What did they mean by giving me such low marks when I deserved better. They probably evaluated my papers and even relatives after a quarrel somewhere or at home or in a bad mood. Buy wy should I be made to suffer? I felt shy of facing my friends, teacher and even relatives. Gradually, anger and shame gave way to dull acceptable of my fate. My parents comforted me by telling that are other examinations. Moreover, first division is not so bad that I should fell so miserable. What cannot be cured must be endured. Anyway, it is great healer. I too felt normal after sometime.

THE INCIDENT I WILL NEVER FORGET

 

THE INCIDENT I WILL NEVER FORGET

 

Childhood is a very impressionable age. One incident of my childhood is indelibly printed in my mind. I was eleven years old when I had just joined middle school. The children of primary school did not admit me in their company and those of middle school didn't want to be friends with me. They treated me as an outsider. To add insult to injury, they often fooled me and made me a target of their jokes. No wonder I got into the habit of visiting the nearby orchard for solitude and gradually started stealing fruit

 

Once I got into the orchard and climbed up a huge mango tree. The owner saw me and unnoticed by me put a today dog looking like a real dog at the foot of that tree. After eating fruit to my fill and filling my pockets with mangoes. I though fo getting down. It was then that my eyes fell on the dog. My blood ran cold. I waited and waited for the dog to go but it remained there. After all deciding to face the consequences of my theft. I jumped down.

 

Imagine my surprise when I found that the dog which had frightened me to the bone was just a stuffed one! I started laughing helplessly at myself. The owner heard me and I was caught. He was a kind man. On my begging forgives he let me go with just a kind word of advice. Can I ever forget this incident?

 

MY FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL

MY FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL

 

This is my third school. Yet on the day I joined it. I was very nervous. We had shifted to London recently and so I had change to this school

 

            This school is very different from my previous one. It has a very grand and imposing building. There are big playgrounds on two sides and a beautiful garden in front. I was very happy to come to this school and had visions of all the games that I would be able to play and yet, I was full of apprehensions

 

            I saw some students waking around. They seemed be quite indifferent to me. A few even stared at my insolently. If frightened me. How would I get along with these students? Just at that time, my class teacher came out of the principal's room. She took me to my class, introduced me to the students asked a student to give me a sea and told me that I should sit there every day. That a student did not even say 'hello' to me. All my apprehensions came to the fore. I felt very alone and stupid

 

            Then the bell rang. The teacher left the class. Some five-six students crowded round me, asking my name, telling me theirs making fun of each other and pulling each other's leg. Soon I mixed among them and after few minutes was one of them. What I considered their aloofness was just discipline and gentle behavior. How could they talk in from of the teacher! Now, I love my school. 

MY FRIEND

MY FRIEND

 

Man is social animal. Wherever he goes, he makes friends, but few are real friends. Ismail Qureshi is my real friend. He is of my age and studies in my class.

 

Ismail is quite tall, fair and healthy. He is an ideal student. He is hard-working. He hard-working. He listens to the teachers attentively. He is good at basketball and table tennis, the games I like. He is well behaved and liked by all.

 

Ismail is always ready to help me. Whenever I have any difficulty in studies, he tries to solve it. He is good at mathematics whereas I am weak. The problems that I do not understand are explained by hi. He does not lose patience even if I am slow in grasping it.

 

In the evening, we always play together, we visit each other's houses too. May parents like him very much. He has become almost a member of my family. We discuss all problems in his presence and at times consult him too. His parents treat me in the same way

 

When my brother was hospitalized, he stood by me and shared my duties. ' A friend in need, is a friend indeed; I am lucky to have such a nice friend.

STREET FIGHT

STREET FIGHT

 

 

People nowadays have become so volatile. They have such little tolerance that even a trifle is enough to ignite their temper. Street fights are becoming more and more frequent once, I witnessed such a fight from close quarters

 

When I was returning from my school, I saw two boys quarrelling for a ball. But before I reached there, two ladies came out from the adjoining houses to find out why there children were crying, instead of separating the kids, surprisingly they also started quarrelling amongst her selves. A slinging match started. Voices were raised.

 

Soon many ladies came out of their houses and surrounded them. None tried to stop them. Some even added fuel to the fire by their comments. It seemed as if they had used up all their abusive vocabulary and were about to come blows. One had already started pulling the hair of the other. They my grandmother came out. She is somewhat hard of hearing. Even she heard their voices. She, in her forthright manner, scolded both and silence them. They she enquired about their reason. To everyone surprise both blamed the other person's son for starting the fight. I could not help laughing when I saw that both the boys were playing happily with that very ball a few minutes later.

MY FAVOURITE SUBJECT

MY FAVOURITE SUBJECT

 

I am a science student but unlike my classmates have opted for Elective English. my friends and relatives tried to dissuade me, saying I will waste a lot of my precious time on English, which is not a very scoring subject. But English is my favorite subject. I did not wish to study Core English at its is not literary.

 

Reading in itself is a great pleasure. English has a fabulous wealth of literature, unsurpassed by any other language. Studying it enables me to enjoy the language, the description and the complexities of the nuances

 

Studying Shaw and hardy gives us an invaluable insight into human nature. We realize what actions bring what reactions. How a man would react to a given set of circumstances or actions. We learn to look for an understand deeper meanings.

 

My love for my subject has inculcated in me the habit of reading. As a philosopher has rightly pointed out, "Reading ennobles man, makes one more tolerant to the follies of others and bridges the gap between countries and cultures". I hope that it will do so for me to.

WHEN VEHICLE FAILED

WHEN VEHICLE FAILED

 

I pride myself on my punctuality. My most miserable hour was when I found myself helplessly held up because of my car. The fateful day, when keeping my appointment was vital for my carrier, I was late. Reaching in time for an interview is imperative for success. So I took my father's car to go to Federal public Service Commission Office. I had to reach there by 10.30 a.m. sharp

 

I left my house at 9 a.m  and decided to go by the Main Highway, hoping that there would be less traffic and I would be able to move fast, but before I could reach the Main Highway, I was caught in a traffic jam. I could proceed only after the loss of the precious minute.

 

I knew I would have to push the accelerator if were to reach in time. But seemed that all traffic were against me. After every few minute I had to stop. I heaved sigh of relief when I reached a stretch of road where there weren't many traffic signals.

 

But my relief was short-lived. To my utter dismay one of the wheels of my car go puncture. There was not any work-shop or filling station nearby. I had to push the car for nearly ten minute., before I could it safely. It look me another ten minutes to get new conveyance. Even then I could not reach the FPSC office in time. On my explanation and humble request, I was interviews but the outcome was sealed by my reaching late.

 

The car, which I had hoped would take me to the place of interview, well in time, failed me. I was late because of it. If only I had gone by bus then hat had happened God knows better.

MY LAST SUNDAY

MY LAST SUNDAY

 

Sundays generally have a fixed routine for the T.V, programmes, but last Sunday was different. On Monday I had two exam papers-English and Mathematics. Due to unavoidable circumstances, I had not been able to do any revision. So I had planned in detail how I would revise both subject that day.

 

I made up my mind to get up early and had set the alarm clock to wake me up, but I got up very late. I had to skip  through my lessons in English to make up for the lost time. I was not really worried, as I felt I know it.

 

After breakfast I started revising Math. When I got stuck in the third problem. I was still trying to solve it when all of a sudden my uncle came with his family. I had to go to the market. When I return home I learnt that the main had not come. My sister was busy helping my mother in the kitchen. So I had to help in laying the table, doing odd jobs and entertaining my uncle and cousins for a long time and I was free only when they left at 5 p.m.

 

I went to my room and bolted the door from inside so that I could study undisturbed. By the time I really settled down there was a breakdown of electricity for short intervals and I was very upset. Mother advised me to go to sleep and promised to wake me up as soon as the electricity supply is restored. As there was no current supply restoration till late in the night, we all went to sleep.

 

All of a sudden, when I got up, it was almost 5 o'clock the lights were on in all the rooms. I because worried and went round to see what the matter was. I found every one in sound asleep. I tried to sit and study but I was so angry and anxious that I could not fully concentrate. Any it was time to get up and be ready

 

Thus the whole my last Sunday was wasted and could neither watch TV and enjoy, nor study.

AN EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE

AN EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE

 

Unemployment is a great curse. It brings to the surface the evil side of human nature. The government has to keep an eye on the unemployed, and to keep their upto-date numbers in records. It has opened employment exchanges in all the big cities. The unemployed are required to registry themselves with them. Whenever there fall any vacancy suitable to their qualifications, they are considered for it.

 

The number of unemployed persons is rising day by day. The employment exchanges are besieged by people who want to register themselves or want to find out whether their names are sent up for certain posts. The harried clerks, faced with so many anxious persons trying to get priority for themselves, become callous and consider everyone as a nuisance.

 

There is always a great rush at the windows. The clerks on duty take their own time in verifiying and registering the jobless persons. Restless people sometimes can be seen standing helplessly in scorching heat and rains ro chilly cold queues for long hours. Some can be seen moving from one window to another as they are told by the concerned clerk that they have to join the other queue and are again at the fag end. Quite often by the time their turn comes the office time comes to closing. They have to go back to come on another day.

 

Thought there are so many people, yet no cheerful voices are heard. One can hear people grumbling or cursing their fate, and Despair is writ large on their faces. Have they not visited the employment exchange for months after months or even years! The only people who make hay there are the hawkers. For them the long queues, the waiting people are source of income. They can be seen selling their eatables and drinks subject to occasions tempting the hungry, disgruntled people. 

SCENE AT A BUS STOP

SCENE AT A BUS STOP

 

A bus stop hums with life and activity. At peak hours there is a mad rush. The school and college students as well as the office – goers vie with each other to get into the already crowded buses.

 

All sorts of people can be seen at a bust stop. Some are impatient and look at their watches every few seconds, others are worried and fret. But there are some who wait patiently. They even smile at others. Students stand in groups and talk. It presents a good opportunity to study human nature.

 

At most of the stops people try to stand in queues but as soon as bust is visible, the queue is broken. Everyone just pushes and jostles. There is lot of confusion then.

 

At peak hours, people try to board a bus whether there is any space in it or not. Traveling on footboards is common. It is very dangerous, but it does not deter any one. Pick-picketers have their day at such hours.

SCENE AT A RAILWAY STATION

SCENE AT A RAILWAY STATION

 

There can be surely no place more crowded and noisy than a railway station in a large city. No sooner one enters it than one has to jostle his way through to reach the platform. If one has to catch the train or to meet someone on another platform, one has to climb the crowded stairs

 

            Hardly anyone is at case. Either one has arrived far too early or the train is late. Others have perhaps reached too late and are rushing about terrified that they would not be able to find the seats or even miss the train

 

            The hawkers add to the confusion, shouting to sell their different things. Many of them go from one compartment to other compartment shouting "Tea". They bring relief to the tired passengers in the train but are nuisance for those who wish to board or alight the train. Porters also go about carrying heavy loads.

 

            When the train is about to leave, relatives and friends who have come to see off are in hurry to get down. If any passenger has to get into a compartment without reservation, he has to face angry glares from all and sundry

 

            The departure of the train brings a slight clam. The platform becomes somewhat deserted. But it is short-lived and soon another train steams in. if one has patience and time to idle, one could quietly enjoy the scene.

AN UNWELCOME GUEST

AN UNWELCOME GUEST

 

A guest is a person to be honored and respected. But there are certain types of guests who are unwelcome.

            

My father has such an unwelcome guest in Mr. Riaz. He visits us frequently and always without prior intimation. He known that my mother is working and we all have to go by 9.30 a.m. Father and mother have to go their office, white we have to go to our school. He always comes when were locking up the house or have just finished.

 

Whenever he comes, one of us has to stay back and serve him. If mother can take causal leave, then she waits. But mostly I have to stay back as I am the eldest. He is a very easy going person. He takes his own time in taking bath and getting ready.

            

Mr. Riaz is very fussy about his food. I can never make anything to this satisfaction. He does not like food cooked in our style, and goes on giving a running commentary on how badly I have cooked and how I should have cooked, but he eats every thing served.  

 

He wants my father take him around in the car and when he goes, he expects to be dropped at the station.

 

As long as he is there, the whole routine of the household is upset. We thank God when he leaves.

 

A MORNING WALK

A MORNING WALK

 

Of all the recreations that every human being indulge in, a morning walk is the most rewarding. The air is fresh and free of dust and smoke. In cities like Islamabad it is only at this time that the roads are not crowded. There is hardly any traffic. One can enjoy the work. As one walks, the worries and anxieties vanish away. The feet stride out in joyful rhythm. The sheer delight of movement is enough to make the day.

 

In the morning, nature is at her best. The dew drops on lush green grass and leaves of plants look like pearls. The colourful flowers laden with dew merrily wave their heads and spread their fragrance. So much colour is splashed on all sides.

 

The birds sing cheerfully. An early walker feasts his eyes and ears on such marvelous sights and sounds.

 

A walk in a big park or on the bank of stream is even more refreshing. The harm is enhanced manifold.

 

A morning walk invigorates and tones up the whole body system. It truly prepares a man for the days hard work.

LUNCH BREAK

 

LUNCH BREAK

 

Our school is a day school. Its working hours are form 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.. We have four periods in the morning and four in the afternoon. There is a 30 minute break at 1.10 p.m. this is lunch time for teachers and students. It is also play and gossip time.

 

Towards the end of the fourth period itself, students become restive. Their attention is more on the watch man than what the teacher is trying to reach. They eagerly wait for the bell.

 

As soon as the recess bell rings, the calm of the school is broken. There is noise everywhere. Some students rush down the stairs pushing each other to reach the canteen first. Others can be seen sitting in the classroom and gobbling up their food. The younger ones can be seen roaming about eating their lunch. Soon there is big crowd at the water coolers.

 

Many students go straight to the playground. Others join them after finishing their lunch. The playground gets crowded and hardly any game is possible. Yet students manage to play.

 

The library is also filled to capacity during lunch hour. Many students can be seen browsing through the papers, the internet and magazines.

 

Soon the lunch time is over. The bell goes. Children quickly get back to their classes and then the school becomes quiet again. Recess is the best part of the school day. Students and teachers all enjoy it.

STREET BEGGARS

STREET BEGGARS

 

Street beggars are common sight in big cities. Clad in rags, shivering with cold, they can be seen everywhere begging in the name of God.

 

Obvious reasons for the evil are illiteracy, poverty and unemployment. There are quite a few how take to begging because of it. But another reason is that begging has become quite a playing profession. Many evil practices have come into existence because of it. Kids are kidnapped and sold to be trained and used for begging. At times they are brutally crippled, made lame, blind etc. these get more alms as their miserable plight arouses sympathy. They suffer while their oppressors reap the benefits.

 

Broadly speaking, beggars are of two types—able-bodied and disabled. The able-bodied can work and earn their livelihood, but if they did not get work initially, now they do not want to work. They find begging easier and more profitable. The disabled, some due to natural causes and others due to their mentors, have no option.

 

Beggars are a great nuisance. They are a blot on humanity. They even indulge in many criminal activities. They must be apprehended, taught come craft and made to work. The kidnappers, they sellers and the owners who make the kids beg, should be given exemplary punishments. 

 

It is our moral duty to help the weak, the hungry and the suffering people. But the dispensing alms as charity, we do not help them. We should help to educate and rehabilitate them.

JOURNEY BY BOAT

JOURNEY BY BOAT

 

A journey by boat is always very pleasant. It has a charm of its won. Rowing a boat provides a lot of fun.

 

Last summer I had the opportunity to go to Mauritius for a week. We stayed in a hotel, which was within walking distance from the sea. On the full moon day, my father hired a boat for two hours. The boat was quite spacious thought not very big. All of us – my father, mother, sister, younger brother and myself, got into the boat.

 

It was dusk. The sun had just set. The scenery was very beautiful. There were not many boats in the sea. I wanted to row but my father was afraid to let me do that. The boatman came to my help. He said that he would take care that I did not cause any harm to the boat or to myself. In the end, my father agreed. I sat in the place of the boatman and had the joy of rowing for almost ten minutes. Imagine my thrill and pride when I was able to row the boat and keep it on course. Of course, its speed was reduced. My brother envied me.

 

Soon the moon was shining brightly. The tall coconut trees silhouetted against the sky made a beautiful scene. The lights of the nearby houses and of the bridge threw beams of sliver in the sea. The sky was studded with stars. The view was breathtakingly beautiful.

 

Time flew any very soon the two hours were over. The boatman brought us back to shore. We enjoyed every single minute of the boat ride. It was really wonderful. The memory still mesmerizes me.

NEWS PAPERS

NEWS PAPERS

 

Life without newspapers is difficult to imagine. It is the first thing that we look for every morning. It brings us news and views from all corners of the world. Any event of occurrence of importance that takes place is reported by the newspapers

 

Newspapers carry information for everyone – businessman, politicians, unemployed people, sportspersons and children. It widens knowledge, keeps one abreast of all advances made in the fields of science, education, sports, medicine and technology.

 

Newspapers are important pillars of democracy. A free press not only makes people aware of the views and polices of the government, but also of their rights. It keeps the government informed of people's wishes, desires and aspirations. It is direct channel through which public opinion can be expressed.

 

Newspapers keep us in constant touch with new, development, changes advances and occurrence in every nook and corner of the world and at a very little price to the reader. Their popularity gives them immense power in moulding public opinion

 

Unfortunately, most newspapers have vested interests. They are owned by capitalists and have to toe their line. Some newspapers are organs of political parties. Their loyalty to the party is greater than their sense of fairplay.

 

It is essential to cultivate faculty in the readers, so that they do not believe every word of the news report. The newspaper should also have a very stick code of ethics, which it should conscientiously adhere to.