April 12, 2023

Notes by Sahil Bhakta

Review

• Caring for Planet, When there is love and harmony, naturally express themselves as caring.

• You love yourself, you naturally take care of yourself. 

• Make Mother Earth your best friend. Grow to love her and care for her. 

Story

Shaanti wanted the wooden doll at Ramu’s shop, the one with the red dress she told Jody her best friend. How do you afford it Jodi asked. Shaanti said she will ask her mom if she can make a jasmine garland and see them at her aunt’s market stall. She asked Jodi to join. Jodi said that was a great idea she would love to join. Early the next morning the girls met outside in the jasmine bushes at Shaanti’s house. The girls sat under the mango tree and made the garland. Shaanti said, “If we sell enough garlands we can each get the doll.” Jodi shook her head sadly and said that her family was low on money and needs to get meds for her brother Kiran who is sick. Jodi picks up the garland and said she will see her at the market. Shaanit spends the afternoon selling garlands at her aunt’s market stall. Jodi never showed. Shaanti was on her way home and she saw Jodi. She asked Jodi why she was so late. Jodi said she had to watch her brother Kiran while her mother was running errands. Shaanti asked, “Why didn’t you bring him with you?” Jodi said she is too sick to go out. Shaanti knew Jodi wouldn’t make enough money for the medicine, the market would be closing soon. She looked at her money and thought that this money was supposed to be for the beautiful doll that she had been dreaming about it for so long. Then she looked at her friend’s tired face. She gave the money to Jodi and told Jodi to keep it for the medicine. That night Shaanti cried thinking about the beautiful doll. Next week as Shaanti and Jodi gathered blossoms and Kiran came too. Medicine has cured his cough. Jodi said “Now you are Kiran’s best friend, your money made him well. The 3 of them sold garlands at the market that afternoon. After Shaanti helps pack up the stall. She rants to Ramu’s shop to buy the red doll but the red doll was bought by someone else. Shaanti ran out the door and cried. Mother asked Shaanti what was wrong and Shaanti said my doll was gone. Mother hugged her and hand her a package wrapped in paper. Mother said Jodi dropped this off for you. On the package was not saying to my best friend Shaanti from Jodi and Kiran. 

She unwrapped it. It was her doll. Jodi had bought the doll for Shaanti. She hugged the doll and thought of her best friend Jodi. 

Moral of the Story

True friendship is giving the best of yourself without any expectations or conditions. 

1. Accepting others
2. Challenging others
3. Trusting others

RAW: Plant  a tree