Editorial

Dear Prajapati readers,

Welcome to the family of Butterflies.
As we travel through 2008, we have already had some achievements or may be working towards some. Some of you must be very tired because of Exams. We wish you success and good results in all your endeavors.
We are not created to live alone in a forest away from people and civilization rather our nature is to live inside a society with different kinds of relationships. God created us in such a way that we can live in harmony, fellowship and share and care for each other. Therefore selfishness and indifference are two major negative attitudes that have to be avoided from us at any cost. We look beautiful and attractive when we think and care for others. God created us that way. Sharing and caring are part of God’s character too; therefore it is all the more important to cultivate these noble attitudes within us. Lord Jesus was not selfish rather selflessly gave His precious blood for us so that we will live. This kind of utmost sharing, caring and love is unique and never found in anyone else. We can just try and reflect a little of this great character in our lives
In this issue, the theme is SHARING. When we share our belongings, time, money, even our lives for others welfare and comfort, life becomes very beautiful and meaningful.

Wish you happy reading and a Happy Easter.

Yours truly,

Sapna
——————————————–
A P P L E S O F G O L D
When you give
to the Church,
you give to God,
when you give
to the poor,
you lend to God.

Short Story: A Blessing!

Suman and Silu were two brother and sister who
were the only children of their parents. Their Dad
worked in a big building in the middle of the City.
Mom worked as social worker in the local slums. She
used to go there daily after Daddy and Suman, Silu
left for their respective office school and They used to
meet as a family only in the evening after Dad returned
from the office. Suman and Silu always enjoyed the
evenings because both Dad and Mom had several
stories to share from their workplace.
One evening mom seemed very upset over
something. During the family prayer, she prayed for a
certain man named Mohan and his family who were
struggling due to illness and poverty. After prayer Mom
and Dad discussed about the particular family.
Mohan was a truck driver and was the only
breadwinner of his family that comprised of his wife
Savitri, daughter Rina and two sons named Raju and
Jagu. Both the sons were twins. Mohan has suddenly
fallen sick because of which the family has run into
trouble. Not that they never had any trouble, but now
with Mohan out of work, the family was in real trouble.
Savitri tried to provide food by working as maid in
two three houses, but that was not sufficient. The three
children were studying in the local school but now
it was difficult to pay their fees. So they were
also trying to find work in order to run the family and
provide medicines for their sick father who was
coughing endlessly. The question was how to help this
family?
As Suman lay in bed that night, he was pondering
over his good fortune since he did not have to work for
a living. Infact he had never tried to understand how
his parents provided them food and clothing, books,
chocolates, cricket bats, bicycle and many more.
He and Silu always had endless list of things, which
they wanted for themselves. And here were three
children who are struggling to have a proper meal a
day. Sleep eluded Suman as he looked at the costly
mosquito net that was covering him from the
mosquitoes. Perhaps Rina, Raju and Jagu never knew
what that comfort was.
Across the bedroom, Silu also was thinking the same
thing. Perhaps Rina was sitting by her Father.s bed
now. Or was she cooking something? Silu never had
to cook any thing at home. All she did was to order her
Mom. Yes! Life had been very easy for them. They have
been fortunate indeed.
The next morning was a government holiday. So
Suman and Silu and Daddy were at home. All sat down
for the Morning Prayer. The Bible was read and Daddy
read from a portion about a sick beggar Lazarus who
died without food and proper care. No one took care
of him even though there was a rich man living just
near by where Lazarus was lying by the roadside. After
the reading, they all sang songs asking Lord Jesus to
make them a blessing. Suman and Silu were wondering
how they could become a blessing for any one ?
Mom was setting the table for breakfast as Suman
and Silu came down from their room. They had gone
up after the prayer and discussed something among
themselves. Mom looked fresh and busy as usual, even
though it was a holiday. Was she going somewhere?
Dad looked up from his newspaper and said, .After
breakfast. We are going to visit Mohan.s family. Suman
and Silu, are you going to accompany us or stay at
home and play video games?.
Other days Suman and Silu had always gone for a
picnic to the park with their parents, but today the
schedules have been changed. Suman would have said
.no. but something within him compelled him to say, .
Daddy, I too would like to come with you both. Well I
do not know about Silu..
. I too want to go., quickly joined Silu.
.Very well then,. smiled Mom. .Quickly eat your
breakfast and get ready. I wonder what we can take
for them?. Mom was murmuring as she went into the
kitchen.
Within an hour they reached the small hut where
Mohan was lying inside in a broken cot. Savitri was
out for work. Rina was trying to make some red tea for
her father. Raju and Jagu were helplessly watching
Father as he was coughing.
Mom immediately took out some Chapaties, curry,
apples and bananas from her bag. She had brought
some sari.s for Savitri.
Suman and Silu also had brought something. Silu
brought out a Barbie doll, which she had received as a
gift on her last birthday. She also took out chocolates
and a brand new tooth paste gifted by her aunt from Canada.
Silu wanted to give from what she had for Rina.
Suman seemed to be carrying his school bag behind.
Out came his not so very old, T shirsts, and bermudas
and also a new pair of jeans.
Mom and Dad were surprised so also the residence
of that small hut. With tears rolling down Mohan tried
to thank the family who looked odd in his shabby home.
While retuning Suman asked, . Daddy, I know it is
not enough what I have tried to give from my
belongings. But can.t something be done for them?.
Daddy was smiling while driving the car, . yes, Son
Definitely something should be done for them. God
has given us enough so that we can share. I am so
proud of you both..
Looking less tensed now Mom said, . I am so glad
that our children have understood that their good
disposition are by the grace of God and what they
posses should be shared with others who are in need..
Suddenly silu cried out, . Daddy, we all tried to give
some thing though it is so small before their needs,
but what did you do for them?.
Mom said, . your Dad has promised to take Mohan
to a good Doctor who can treat tuberculosis effectively.
Rest is in God.s hand. We can wait and pray for them.
As they drove into their garage, Suman was thinking,
. yes we can pray for the family, and meanwhile as
God works for them I can go on and be a blessing for
them according to my capacity. Perhaps Lazarus the
poor beggar needed some one to be blessing to him
by giving love and care. Let me not miss the chance
like the rich man.”
___________________

ABBREVIATIONS

ZOPFAN : Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality
TSE : Test of Spoken English
WCC : World Council of Churches
NB : note bene (note well)
IOU : I Owe You
JP : Justice of Peace
3G : Third Generation
GRACE : Ground Rules And Code of Ethics
CITU : Center of Indian TradeUnions
ASAP : As Soon As Possible

Fun Corner
Ask people why they have deer heads on their walls, they
will tell you they are such beautiful animals. I think my wife
is beautiful but I have only photographs of her on the wall.
***
A plane takes off from New York’s Kennedy Airport. After
it reaches a cruising altitude, Captain Sparks makes an
announcement over the intercom.
“ Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to flight 293,” he said.
“the weather ahead looks clear, so sit back, relax and
Oh My God!” the intercom falls silent.
A minute later, Capt Sparks comes back on the intercom,
“ I’m so sorry for scaring you all earlier,” he says, “ But
while I was talking, an attendant spilled a boiling cup of
coffee on my lap. You should see the front of my pants!”
“ That’s nothing,” a passenger at the rear shouted, ‘you
made me panic and now you should see the back of my
pant.”ØØ
ØØØ
One woman told another, . My neighbor is always
speaking ill of her husband, but look at me, my
husband is foolish, lazy, coward: but have I ever said
anything bad about him?.
qqq
Old man : I.d like some vitamins for my grandson.
Sales clerk : Sir, vitamin A,B,C?
Old man : Any will do, my grandson doesn.t know the
alphabet yet.

________

Amazing facts of the Bible:
Jordan River
River Jordan, at present is a part of Israel, Palestine and
Jordan. It is 320 km long. Sea of Galilee is part of the
Jordan River system. The distance between Sea of
Galilee and the Dead Sea is 250 km. Dead Sea is the
outlet of Jordan River.
During the Old and the New Testament times, Palestine
and Jordan did not occupy the Jordan River. There are
many wonderful and amazing stories around this river.
Lord Jesus Himself wished to be baptized by John the
Baptist in this river. Do you know what happened at that
time? As soon as Lord Jesus dipped Himself in the river
and raised Himself, Lo behold there was a voice form the
sky. It declared that Jesus was the Son of God and God is
well pleased on Him. Wow!
Now then, lets not attach some magical powers to the
River Jordan, just because a supernatural manifestation
took place there. Lets not assume that the river is holy and
jump into it. We might be drowned.
You want to know some more about this river? Read on……..
In the Old Testament times, there was an army
commander named Naman. He was from the neighboring
country of Israel. It so happened that he got leprosy.
Leprosy is such a skin disease that spoils the skin. As a
result sores appears and some time it even looks ugly,
smelly with blood oozing out. Whats more? It is an
infectious disease. Therefore any leper was considered as
an outcaste during those times and even now. Thank God
that we have treatment for this disease now. Well, in those
days there was none. So you can imagine how Naman must
have felt. He was very sad and gloomy.
One day, the little maid in his house who was a Jewish
girl gathered her courage and said that if only the master
would go to Israel and meet the Prophet Elisha who was a
man of God, then certainly he would be healed.
Amidst despair and hopelessness, this was a ray of
hope. Naman immediately got up, took many gifts and
went with his servants to meet the prophet of Israel. But
Alas! Prophet Elisha did not come out to meet him but
instructed through his servant that Naman should go and
dip in the Jordan river seven times.
Naman felt very humiliated and angry but since he
wanted to be healed he went to the river Jordan with the
advice of his servants. Carefully he entered into the water.
He had to be careful since there were slippery stones
underneath. He closed his eyes and remembered the God
of Israel. Though he was not a Jew himself but he had
heard many remarkable events about the God of Israel.
This God was his only hope now. Gently he lowered
himself into the water. First time nothing happened. His open
sores came in contact with water and started paining. Naman still
took the second dip. Still the same…… Third, forth, fifth,
sixth. Still no change. Though Naman was a big officer in the army,
still there were tears in his eyes. There was one more dip left.
The prophet had asked for seven times.
“ Let me do it this last time” he thought. And surely he
must have prayed, “ Lord God of Israel, you are the Healer.
Make me clean please.” Wooosh….
Naman came up. He looked at his hands. Hey! The skin
was shining. Gone were the nasty and smelly sores. He
even felt stronger and steady after so many days. His
servants who were standing at the bank of the river shouted
with joy as they saw Naman coming out with handsome
face with no scars or even a slightest blemish. He was
looking more fresh and healthy than before. They jumped
for joy and went home.
Humm… there are still many enchanting stories, which
happened around the river Jordan. But don’t forget, the
river or its water has nothing to do with the healing. It
does not have any magical powers. It is just a normal river
like any other rivers of the whole world. Yet one thing
makes it special. This river was available for many to take
bath in it thus helping many to wipe away their dirt. And
so much so it also allowed Jesus to be baptized in it. The
best part, which makes the river special and memorable,
is that it was used by God- to heal and refresh many lives
by its fresh clear water.
So lets not forget that rivers, mountains, rocks, trees,
anything around us and even you and me are just
creatures, created by God. Let us not be afraid of them
or worship them, instead let’s allow God to use us as he
used the River Jordan to heal Naman.
God wants to use you. Will you be available?

__________

Health Is Wealth:
Health tips for better living

1. Having a cup of coffee with
cream and at least two cubes of sugar is
as bad as having a big piece of
chocolate cake.
2. Eat intelligently. Don’t just eat something
because you feel like eating. Ask yourself
whether your body really needs it.
3. All those colas and fizzy drinks are
sweetened with sugar and sugar
means calories which add up the
fat in your body.
4. To maintain good health, total fat
intake should be reduced to 30 %
or less of calories. Salt and
alcohol intake should be limited.
5. Consume a diet that contains more water like
tomatoes and water melons. These contain 90 to 95 %
of water so you have nothing to worry by feasting
on them.
6. A glass of water as soon as you get up lets out all
the digestive juices. You may have your
morning tea but have it after a glass of water.
—————-

UN REPORT ON CHILDREN
According to a United Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF) report Britain’s Children
were among the poorest and most neglected
Children’s happiness was rated highest in
Northern Europe. Some 18000 Children
die every day because of hunger and
malnutrition and 850 million people go to
bed every night with empty stomach.

—————-

KBC- Know Bible Completely
1. What is the meaning of the word “Moses”?
2. How many missionary journeys did Paul make?
3. Was Paul a Pharisee or a Sadducees?
4. How many days and night did it rain during the first
flood?
5. What is the meaning of the Name “Emmanuel”?
6. In which book of the Bible is it mentioned, “The
just shall live by faith”?
7. Name the ruling Empire when Jesus Christ was
born.
8. Where was Jesus Christ baptized and by whom?
9. How many days did Jesus fast after his baptism?
10. Name the Army Commander who was healed from
leprosy by dipping himself in the Jordan.
11. Who were assigned to carry the Ark of the Covenant
during the Exodus?
12. Which is the longest Chapter in the Bible?
————————-

Word Power
Cookie- 1. A small cake made from stiff,
sweet dough; 2. It is also used as a
slang for person. e.g. He’s a smart
cookie.
Cool- 1. Neither warm nor cold; 2. Calm
and unexcited e.g keep cool; 3. Not
very friendly e.g She was very cool
towards me today.
Cool- 1. To make or become cool; 2.
Cool down or cool off. i.e. To
become calmer or less angry.
Coop- 1. A cage for poultry. 2. To confine
or shut in e.g. He was cooped up
in his room for several days trying
to finish the book, which he was
writing.
Cop- A policeman or policewoman.
Cope- To contend with successfully.
Copious- Plentiful
Copra- The dried kernel of the coconut,
yielding coconut oil.

————————–

Around the World:

Denmark
Captial : Copenhagen
Population : 5,450,661
Language : Danish
Religions : Evangelical Lutherans,
Protestants,
Roman Catholics
and Muslims.
Literacy : 99%
Currency : Danish krone
The kingdom of Denmark is the smallest and southernmost
country of the Nordic countries. It is located
to the north of Germany, southwest of Sweden, south
of Norway. It is located at 56° N 10° E in northern Europe.
Denmark borders both the Baltic and North Sea.
The country consists of a large Peninsular called
Jutland. There are also a large number of islands, most
notably Zealand, Funen, Vendsyssel-Thy, Lolland and
Bornholm as well as hundreds of minor islands often
referred to as the Danish Archipelago.
Denmark became a Constitutional Monarcy in 1849
and has been a Parliamantay Democracy since 1901.
Having existed for more than 1000 years, the Danish
monarchy is one of the oldest in the world. Denmark
is a part of the European Union. The head of the State
is Queen Margrethe II and the Prime Minister is
Andres Fogh Rasmussen.
Denmark’s national currency, the krone (plural: kroner),
is de facto linked to the Euro through ERMII.
About 625 of the land is under cultivation. Denmark
is one of the largest exporters of Dairy products.
Fishing is one of the important occupation.
The most popular sport in Denmark is football (soccer).
____________

NEW “WATER” SIGNS ON MARS
Nasa’s Mars Reconnaissance orbiter space
craft has sent back new evidence for the
presence of water on Mars. The presence of
water would raise the possiblility of at least
primitive life forms existing there
.——-

Mera Bharat Mahan:Karnataka
Area – 1,91,791 sq km
Population – 55,868,200
Capital – Bangalore( Bangaluru)
Chief Minster- H.D Kumaraswamy
Governor –T.N Chaturvedi
Karnataka is one of the four southern states of
India. It lies in the Deccan Plateau and borders with
Maharastra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Karnataka word is derived from “Karu Nadu Agam’
of tamil, which means ‘ Land of Black Soil’,
Most part of the North region of Karnataka has black soil.
The modern state of Karnataka came into
existence with the passage of the States
Reorganisation Act (1956), with the incorporation of
districts under the dominion of Bombay, Hyderabad,
Madras State and Coorg within the existing state of Mysore State.
Kannada is the official language of the state.
Karnataka is the largest Indian state by area and 9th largest by population.
Bangalore is the capital city of karnataka with a population of more than 6 million. It is the third-most populous city in India, accounts for 35% of India’s
software exports, and is also a major base for public
sector manufacturing industries. Other major cities
include Mysore, Mangalore, hubli-Dharwad,
Davanagere, Bellary, Hassan, Shimoga and =Belgaum.
Karnataka is the only exporter of sandalwood in India. Bangalore
also has the most amount of tourism of the region. It is also the
largest producer of coffee, raw silk and sandalwood (Santalum
album) based products like perfumes and 75% of Indian
floriculture industry is located in Karnataka
Over 90% of India’s gold production comes from south
Karnataka. Recently there has been a lot of activity in the
extraction of manganese ore from the districts of Bellary and
Hospet. Raichur is known to be rich in gold deposits. Most
of India’s Iron ore comes from the Kudremukh area of Chikmagalur District.
In India, Karnataka has the highest number of educational institutions in the
fields of engineering and medical sciences. Notable
examples are the Indian Institute of Science at
Bangalore, and the Indian Institute of Management
which one of the premier management institutes in
India Karnataka in all has 50 wildlife sanctuaries.
The state is home to the largest
concentration of Asian Elephants along Kabini River
in Nagarahole and Bandipur parks
Karnataka is home to more than 500 species of
birds amd is famous for its waterfalls. Jog falls of
Shimoga District is one of the highest waterfalls in
Asia.
—————-

Who Did It First ?
1. First Indian to win the Nobel Prize in
Literature- Rabindranath Tagore. He was
also the first Asian to get the prize (1913).
2. First Indian to win Dada Saheb Phalke
award- Devika Rani (1970).
3. First Indian to win Booker Prize- Aundhati
Roy for “God of small things” (1997)
4. First Indian Oscar winner –Bhanu Athaiya,
for Best costume design for the film
“Gandhi”. (1982)
5. First Indian hat trick in Test cricket-
Harbahjan Singh, against Australia. (2001)
6. First Indian in space- Rakesh Sharma abroad
Salyut 7 (1984)
7. First city in India to have electricity-
Bangalore. It is also the first in Asia.(1906).
8. First Indian cricket test match –against
England at Lord’s (1932)
9. First Indian sponsored TV serial- “Hum Log”.
10. First Indian test tube baby- Harsha, at KEM hospital Mumbai (1986)

——————

Raised from the Dead: A short story
Rajiv was very upset. They had suddenly received an SMS
from his uncle that Rajiv.s Grandma was very sick.
So Rajiv and his mother and father and little sister Rita
were traveling to Kanpur where Grandma lived with
uncle John.
As the train sped across the valley, Rajiv watched his mother’s tear stained face. She had been sobbing ever since they received the news. Again and again Dad was consoling Mama that
she will surely see her Mother before she passes
away.
Grandma had been suffering from stomach
problems for quiet a long time and she was very
old now. Therefore every one were very
apprehensive about her health.
Rajiv felt very uncomfortable thinking about his
Grandma passing away. It was so painful to
think that he can never see her and hear her
stories again. Grandpa must be very sad, Rajiv thought.
It was dark when they reached the Uncle’s house.
There was a big crowd standing around the place as the taxi pulled up. Mom ran into the house sobbing. When Rajiv could
enter what he saw, sent a wave of pain through him.
Grandma was laid in a cot at the far end of the room.
Grandpa was sitting beside her and they were
talking something. All else were crying except Grandpa.
As soon as mother drew near the cot,
Grandma raised her pale hand to her daughter.
With tears rolling down, Mama was clutching
Grandma.s hands and kissing them.
Every one felt little comforted with the arrival
of Rajiv.s entire family. In the night, during the
family prayer, as all sat surrounding grandma.s
bed, grandpa read from the Bible about Jesus
saying, . I am the resurrection and life…
Prayer was offered and grandpa committed
grandma into God.s hand and thanked for her life.
After that every one silently went to bed except
grandpa who sat in his armchair near grandma.
That very night grandma passed away.
Surprisingly, there was not much wailing and
screaming as Rajiv was anticipating; rather each
of his uncle and aunt along with his own mother
seemed very composed and strong. Rajiv was
puzzled. The funeral took place in the afternoon
and grandma was gone.
Late in the evening, Rajiv sat at the foot of
the armchair where grandpa was sitting. He was
reading the Bible. Rajiv summed up his courage and
asked a question,
.Grandpa, are you not upset because grandma
has gone?.
Grandpa looked up from the Bible. He smiled
at Rajiv and said. . Of course I am very sad and
lonely. Your Grandma was my best friend. We
have spent around 50 years together. But even
though I am sad at the moment, I know I will meet
her again because we will rise up again from the
dead..
“What” exclaimed Rajiv. “you mean grandma will
be a ghost?.”
“No no no I did not mean that. Grandma will be
raised from the dead…
“but how is that possible?.” said Rajiv.
“It is possible because of Lord Jesus Christ.
would you like to hear about it?.”
Rajiv was very curious and he nodded to
Grandpa to go on. Grandpa went on……. more
than two thousand years ago. Lord Jesus Christ
came to this world to accomplish a special task
and that was to free all the sinners from sin and
death. According to the law, the wages of sin is
death. And the whole humanity including you and
me were caught up in sin, therefore condemned
to die. This death is not the normal death that
we see today, but it was damnation for ever.
Since God loved each one of us as His own, He
opened a door for us so that we will not die but
live forever. That door was Jesus Christ. Jesus
took all our sins upon Him and he died on our place.
Actually He took all the punishment which we
would have had to suffer and He was crucified on
the cross and died..
“Grandpa, how will that help grandma to rise
from dead? Asked Rajiv.
“Yes, the story does not end there. Jesus was
crucified on the cross. After His death, His body
was buried in a tomb. Guards were posted so
that no one takes away his body.
But on the third day, Lord Jesus rose again
and He was alive..”
“But how is that possible?. Rajiv was shocked.
“Yes it was possible because God raised Lord
Jesus from dead. More ever, Jesus defeated sin
and death because He Himself was sinless and
divine. The powere of death could not stop Him..”
“Humm, thats very interesting….
“Wait a minute, I am not finished yet,. Said grandpa. .
“ this morning as your grandma was taken to be buried,
I was sad but not frustrated because when she was alive she had accepted Lord Jesus as her Savior from sin and therefore
she was sure to be raised from the dead later
on. I am looking forward to meet her again
because when I was young like you, I too had invited
Lord Jesus into my life and asked Him to forgive
my sins. Therefore I will definitely be raised up
from the dead too and what.s more, I will go to
heaven because my sins are forgiven.. Grandpa
was smiling now.
Rajiv was thinking very deeply. Certainly, he was
afraid of dying. But the thought of being raised
from death and going to heaven was a great
comfort and assurance. Perhaps thats the
reason though every one looked sad but they were
comforted also. He wanted to have that
assurance too. Quickly he made up his mind and
asked grandpa how to receive this assurance
from Lord Jesus. And sure his grandpa helped
him.
Friends, this Easter, do not just attend the
Church service as a routine but be assured and
rejoice because Lord Jesus has risen from the
dead and He has won the battle for us. To know
more about this ask your parents, Sunday school
teacher or your pastor. Don’t forget.
__________________
AFTERGLOW…
I live in the afterglow of your eternal love,
the light that retrieves all my sins and
makes me white as dove.
I let the warm sunlight
through my body everyday,
with a kindled hope of meeting
you among the clouds someday.
I live among the entrapment of temptation,
but you give me strength with redemption.
I enjoy the evening blue with happiness,
leaving and abandoning the bitter sadness.
Here I am lost in the ashes of time,
living my days of sin like a crime.
I look to the heavens
for the strength of your power,
and you bestow it on me like a rain shower.
Heal me from all this sorrow,
I want to live a clean tomorrow.
I pray all this and
I know your blessings are not slow,
as I live everyday in your afterglow.
- Sourav Sahu.
+3, 1st Year, Bhubaneswar, C.N.I Chapel
———————–

GOD AND ME :
GOD IS ALWAYS WITH ME
The Lord is with me. He always was and always
will be. I can live and sleep without fear, for He
protects me. The Lord is watching everything
everywhere and keeps his eye on both on the evil and
the good. But for the Godly he is a Strong Fortress.
Rely on Him and you’ll always be safe. In our dayto-
day lives we come across many situations where
we think God is not with us or not helping us at all,
but in fact He is always with us.
Many experiences have shown me that God is
always present with me.
When I usually speak to my friends at school, the
topic of religion comes up. During Holi a few years
ago they wanted to spray me with colors forcefully. I
did not like to play Holi because I do not like the colors
on me and sometimes it can even be injurious to eyes,
hair and very dangerous if not played with care and
love. Somehow I wanted to avoid it and at the same
time did not want to be misunderstood. So I just prayed
the entire day.
My prayers were answered in a very strange way.
When I went to school the next day I heard from a
few others, that my friends were not present that day.
Most of them were sick and at home. On returning
home, immediately I sat down and just closed my eyes
and thanked God. I realized that my Faith comes
before everything else. Since that day I have always
trusted Him, for when there is no way God is most
certainty make a way, that’s why He is always with
me, protecting me and keeping me well.
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the
righteous run to it and are safe” Proverbs 18:10
by- Nathan Patra
(“God and Me” is a new series which has been started
very recently by the “Prajapati – the Butterfly”, with the
purpose of giving opportunity to youths and children to
share and express about their varied experiences with God.
God is very personal being and we are created to have a
very personal relationship with Him. Some have that
relationship and some have missed it thus far. Well, He
does not want to miss out on any one. So feel free to share
about your relationship with the very Personal Loving God
Almighty to many through this Magazine. Send in your
personal testimonies of your encounter with God who is
the Creator of this vast universe.
On this issue, article on “God and Me” is written by
Master Nathan Patra. He is a student of class 8, studying
in St. James School, Kolkata. He lives with his parents
and two sisters at Kolkata. He likes computer games and
traveling to new places. His email ID- np@google.com)
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Why Can’t the Ostrich Fly ?
In the air the force of gravity is felt even more
than when standing on the ground. This is because air
gives little support to a creature’s weight. Only
small birds are able to fly by flapping their wings,
because very large breast muscles are needed for this
support.
A large bird does not have room for such
muscles and so the real giants among birds cannot fly
at all. These include the ostrich, the rhea of South
America, the emu of Australia and a few others. All
are much too heavy to fly. No bird can be really a
giant and still fly.
Is the ostrich really a giant? It really is! It is the
largest of living birds. A full-grown ostrich is 2 meters,
sometimes 2.5 meters tall. It weighs from 70 to more
than 135 kilograms! some cases birds that cannot fly
make up by having tremendous running speed. The
ostrich is believed by experts to be the fastest running
bird. It has long, strong, thick legs and it can speed
across the desert faster than the swift Arabian horse.
Biologists believe that the fastest an ostrich can run
is from 45 to 60 Km per hour-which is very fast indeed.
The stride of an ostrich as it runs, moving one foot
and then the other, can cover as much as 8.5 meters in
a single leap.
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Shabash Shouri !: A short story
Shouri (name not accurate) was feeling very
humiliated because his Jewish neighbors would not
mingle with him and always found ways to insult and
hurt him.
He was a small Tradesman and his small family was happily
thriving with his income, yet something was amiss. He was not
able to adjust with his new surroundings in Jericho where he
had come for setting new business contacts. Every week he had to travel to Jerusalem too for his work.
Shouri’s main problem was his race. He was a Samaritan.
Samritans were not liked by the Jews. They
were looked down upon as outcaste. Shouri could
never understand why the Jews were so proud of their
religion and status that they could not accommodate
any one else. At the same time, Shouri loved to hear
form the Torah, the religious book of the Jews. He
had always felt better to hear some words from the
Law Book of the Jews and believed in their God and
always wanted to obey His Laws.
That morning, Shouri after finishing his morning
meal set out for Jerusalem. He had to reach there on
time to meet another merchant form Alexandria
therefore he was in a hurry.
As the mid-morning sun shone with all its
fierceness, Shouri got down from his donkey and
walked beside the animal. After all the donkey also
was tired carrying his master for so long. As they
together walked for a while, suddenly Shouri saw a
Jewish priest followed by a Levite coming from the
opposite side of the road. Both of them passed by
Shouri throwing a nasty glance at him. Perhaps they
recognized him as a Samaritan.
Shouri felt hurt again. Anyways, he felt comforted
that God of the Jews was a loving God who cared for
every one and wanted the same attitude from every
one.
As Shouri went a little further, he saw a sight which
sent his blood curling. Lying on the middle of the road
was a man, badly beaten up, ransacked, stripped off
his clothes and looking half dead. The man seemed to
be alive because he was groaning feebly.
“Who could have done this to the man?” thought
Shouri. Certainly not the Priest or the Levite. They
looked like such neat gentlemen. The poor man must
have been attacked by some robbers, who knew that
this side of the path was lonely and less habituated.
Therefore thy must have followed him to this place
and then done their job.
“Oh, the man looks awful,” thought Shouri “if I
am not quick, then perhaps it will be too late for the
man”. Shouri went near and recognized the victim to
be Jew. Shouri was taken aback. “What if the man
protests from taking his help?” he thought. But again
a second thought dawned on him. Just a little while
ago the Jewish priest and Levite had passed him by
and they must have certainly seen this beaten up man
too yet they did nothing to help him or take care of
him. “Now, that’s very selfish indeed,” thought Shouri.
“They left their own brother to die on the road. Ok let
me do my job. I can’t leave him like this. God will
certainly not like this.”
Shouri lost no more time in speculation. He bent
down and poured oil and wine over the wounds of the
man and bandaged him nicely. That should keep him
for a while till I take him to the city, decided Shouri.
Then he lifted the man up on his donkey and the four
of them went to the city of Jerusalem.
Shouri went to an inn and took care of him there.
Time was running out because Shouri had other
engagements in the city, in spite of that he waited for
a day till the man was fully conscious. But he was still
very weak due to loss of too much blood. So Shouri
left him at the care of the innkeeper and also gave
some money for the expense of the sick man. He asked
the innkeeper to take care and that he would give more
if needed later on.
Leaving the inn, Shouri felt an inner peace and joy
because in spite of the indifferent relationship between
the Jews and Samaritan he was able to show love and
care to the man. As he went on his way, Shouri was
unaware that the impartial God, who Created every
human beings as equal and precious, was watching
from above and was pleased over him for his selfless
attitude, and hospitality.
Shouri did not know that the Loving God wished
all His created human beings to help and show love
to people and thus reflect His Godly character yet
Shouri fulfilled His will.
____________________

The King’s Choice :A short Story
It was the practice of kings of olden days to go out into
the city disguised. The practice helped them to study of
affairs at firsthand and learn the problems that the citizens
faced. Often, their ministers supplied them with incorrect
information in order to flatter the kings.
King Devapriya once rode off concealed in disguise as
a horseman. He heard the road side conversations of
common man and marked many defects in the city that he
ruled. At the end of the day, he had covered a long distance.
As he was riding along, he came by a helpless man lying
under a tree on the roadside, moaning as if in pain. He
dismounted and approached the man and asked if he
needed help. The poor wretch begged him to take him on
his horse to the nearest rest house or hospital.
‘But you will have to lift me on to the horse as I can’t
use my legs’’he murmured. Filled with pity for the suffering
stranger, the kings in disguise lifted him gently to the saddle
and place him comfortably there.
But before he could mount his horse, the stranger
straightened himself and galloped off, leaving the king
far behind. It serves me right, for not having studied the stranger
as I should have done thought the king and walked back
to the palace late in the night.
A few weeks passed. It was the day of trial of cases at the court. Among
those that were brought by the police for trial was the same man who had
cheated the king for his horse. The accused could not recognise the king.
He had been caught red-handed in a case of theft and the officials expected the thief to be
imprisoned for a few years. The king was known to render
quick justice, but he announced the following day. The clever minister realized that there must be some special reason for the king’s order and decided to find out.
Late in the evening, he noticed the king go alone to the
cell in the prison where the thief was lodged. The king put
on the old disguise and asked the thief if thief if he recognized him.
After a few minutes, the thief replied, yes, you are the
person from whom I took away a horse a few weeks back.
Are you going to add this offence also and increase my
term in jail?
The king’s reply astonished him, No, I shall not do it.
But I have one request to make. You should not whisper a
word about that incident to any one. Keep it a secret.
This little conversation was overhead by the minister whojoined the two at the stage.
Smiling at the minister, the king said, I hope youunderstand why I asked him to keep the old theft a secret.
‘Certainly, your Majesty replied the Minister. Those inthe court should not know that the king too had been cheated. But the king thoughtfully shook his head.
‘No not because of that reason. If this incident gets
known to people, it is likely that those in real need may
not be helped. I want my people should be helping those
in needs. My pride should not be the cause for a deserving
man to be denied help.’
Collected by Miss Soumya subhadarshini
Std-(VII), Leo Matriculation Higher Secondary School,
Chennai-600101.
E mail – ss994@rediffmail.com
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True Storied that Inspire
Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale was born into a rich, well connected
British family Florence, Italy. She was named after the city of her birth. Her
parents were William Edward Nightingale and Frances
Nightingale née Smith.
Inspired by what she took as a divine calling, Nightingale
committed herself to nursing.
In those days, nursing was a career with a poor reputation.
Nightingale announced her decision to enter nursing in 1845, evoking intense anger and distress from her family.
She cared for poor and indigent people. In December 1844, in response to a pauper’s death in a workhouse infirmary in London, she became the leading advocate for
improved medical care in the infirmaries.. This led to her active role in the reform of the Poor Laws, extending far beyond the provision of medical care.
Nightingale rejected marriage proposals, convinced that marriage would interfere with her ability to follow her calling to nursing.
Nightingale’s career in nursing began in earnest in 1851 when she received four months’ training in Germany. She undertook the training over strenuous family objections
concerning the risks and social implications of such activity.
Florence Nightingale’s most famous contribution came during the Crimean War. On October 21, 1854, she and a staff of 38 women volunteer nurses, trained by Nightingale
went to Turkey, some 545 km across the Black Sea from Balaklava in the Crimea, where the main British camp was based.
Nightingale arrived early in November 1854 in Scutari (modern-day Üsküdar in Istanbul). She and her nurses found wounded soldiers being badly cared for by
overworked medical staff. Medicines were in short supply, hygiene was being neglected, and mass infections were common, many of them fatal. There was no equipment to
process food for the patients.
Nightingale and her compatriots began by thoroughly
cleaning the hospital and equipment and reorganizing
patient care. People died of many serious diseases like
Typhoid, cholera, dysentery etc. and the death rate rose
very high During her first winter at Scutari, 4077 soldiers
died there. Conditions at the hospital were so fatal to the
patients because of overcrowding and the hospital’s defective
sewers and lack of ventilation. Nightingale
continued believing the death rates were due to poor
nutrition and supplies and overworking of the soldiers.
This experience would influence her later career, when
she advocated sanitary living conditions as of great importance.
Florence Nightingale returned to Britain a heroine on
August 7, 1857, and, according to the BBC, was arguably
the most famous Victorian after Queen Victoria herself..
While she was still in Turkey, on November 29, 1855,
a public meeting was organized to give recognition to
Florence Nightingale for her work in the war. This led to
the establishment of the Nightingale Fund for the training
of nurses. By 1859 Nightingale had £45,000 at her disposal
from the Nightingale Fund to set up the Nightingale
Training School at St. Thomas’ Hospital on July 9, 1860.
(It is now called the Florence Nightingale School of
Nursing and Midwifery and is part of King’s College
London.) The first trained Nightingale nurses began work
on May 16 at the Liverpool Workhouse Infirmary.
Nightingale wrote Notes on Nursing, that served as the
cornerstone of the curriculum at the Nightingale School
and other nursing schools established.
In 1869 Nightingale and Elizabeth Blackwell opened
the Women’s Medical College. In 1883 Nightingale was
awarded the Royal Red Cross by Queen Victoria. In 1907
she became the first woman to be awarded the Order of
Merit. In 1908 she was given the Honorary Freedom of the City of London.
By 1896 Florence Nightingale was bedridden. She may
have had what is now known as chronic fatigue syndrome
and her birthday is now celebrated as the international CFS
awareness day. She died on August 13, 1910.
Florence Nightingale’s lasting contribution has been her
role in founding the nursing profession. She set a shining
example for nurses everywhere of compassion,
commitment to patient care, and diligent and thoughtful
hospital administration.
In many ways she was extremely “modern” in her
attitude to health management, especially in her attitude
to outcomes and statistical measurement.
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WHEN WERE THE FIRST ELECTIONS HELD ?
The word “election” comes from the Latin root
meaning “ to choose”. And the feeling people have
had that they should have the right to choose their
leaders goes back thousands of years.
The ancient Hebrews and Greeks fought for that
right. The early kings of Israel were chosen by the
people, and so were the generals of the ancient
Greek armies.
The habit of freely choosing their leaders was
brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxon conquerors
some 1,500 years ago. Thus, the right to vote for
local officials became a part of English thinking
and was brought to America by the early colonists.
Even before the American Revolution, Americans
has been voting in their town meetings and colonial
assemblies.
The matter of election has posed one big
problem: who shall have the right to vote? At one
time only property owners were allowed to vote
and in many countries this “universal franchise”
was not achieved until after the First World War.
The “ suffragettes”, campaigners for votes for
woman, took every opportunity to bring their cause
to the notice of the public, often a great hardship
to themselves.
Voting restrictions are still being changed from
time to time, when people feel that new categories
of people should be allowed to vote. Recently the
minimum voting age was reduced from 21 to 18.
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WHEN DO YOU STOP GROWING ?
The average newborn infant is about fifty
centimeters long. In 20 years, this little
body more than triples in length. The
average height of a man is 1.7 meters.
But man does not stop growing then. He
actually continues to grow even after the age of
twenty-five and reaches his maximum height at
about the age of thirty-five or forty.
What happens after that? He does not just
“stop growing” but begins to “shrink”. The average
person shrinks as much as ten millimeters every
ten years after the age of forty. The reason for
this shrinkage is the drying up of the cartilage in
the joints and in the spinal column.
Growth varies with the seasons. Children grow
rapidly during the summer than during the
winter. Children of school age actually grow twice
as fast during the summer months as
during the winter! Better food, better modes of living, a whole group of
circumstances are making the newer generations
taller than the previous ones.
Our rate of growth is determined by four
important sets of glands: the thyroid, the pituitary,
the thymus and the sex gland. When these glands
operate normally and there is the proper balance
between their functions, then growth is normal.
Did you know that every morning we are taller
than we were the previous evening, but in the
course of the day we begin to shrink ?
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