Here are some of the school assignments I did for my son who is a fourth grader.  Your views on them are invited.

HOLI FESTIVAL

Holi is a festival of colors which is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of March.  There are many mythological stories explaining the reasons to mark the festival of holi.  The most prominent story is about King Hiranyakashyapu and his son Prahlad.  Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu who protected him from every calamity.  King Hiranyakashyapu was so enraged by Prahlad’s devotion to God and so he thought of killing his own son.  He thought of asking his sister. Holika, to do the job.  Holika had got a boon from Lord Brahma that fire will not be able to harm her in anyway.  So, on Hiranyakashyapu’s orders a pyre was lit and Holika sat in it with Prahlad in her lap.  Because of blessings showered by Lord Vishnu, Prahlad was saved but Holika was burnt to death.  This gave birth to the festival of Holi.

MY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

January 21 every year is the most important day in my life as it is my birthday.  This year it was my 10^th birthday.  On this day, I did two good deeds, which will remain in my memory for a long time to come.  Before we set out to celebrate my birthday, I gave away a new set of clothes to 2-3 poor little kids that live near our building in small shanties.  I along with my parents went to the local KFC joint located in the Deccan area.  We reached the place around 8 o’clock in the evening.  As is the specialty of such places, there was a significant number of young boys and girls enjoying their food while chatting and laughing in between.  After spending almost an hour munching on the food we had ordered, we left the place.  Since there was a little food left over, we got it packed with a plan to consume it the next day at home.  As we came out of the place, a little girl who was begging nearby, saw the parcel in my hands.  Since she seemed quite hungry, she begged me to give it to her.  Seeing her plight, I gave away the food packet to her and noticed that she seemed quite happy.  I also felt contended that on such an important day of my life, I had done two good deeds by helping fill one empty stomach and covering 2-3 naked bodies.

AJAY'S VACATION

Ajay spent his summer holidays with his parents and sister.  They had planned to go to the beach.  They traveled by train to the beach town.  They had booked a room in a large hotel by the beach.  From their room they could view the entire blue sea.  They could watch big waves emerging from the sea.  Both Ajay and sister enjoyed building castles in the sand and collecting shells.  They enjoyed bathing in the ocean waters and had sea food and fishes to eat.  They enjoyed to their fullest for the whole week.

LETTER TO PARENTS

Dear parents,

I will always remain grateful to you for the life you have given me.  I am enjoying my childhood as also enjoying my school life.  I attend my school regularly and also study sincerely to achieve good grades.  I am also thankful to you for teaching me good habits and good manners.  I will always remain indebted to you for all the efforts you are taking in making me a good boy.

Forever yours,

Varun Badhe