Billa, the cat, Learns a Lesson- part 3

Read part 2
Pillu and Pilli became nervous to see their father screaming and crying. They were searching in vain for the button to stop the machine. Billa's shrieks were turning louder with every passing moment.
Pillu and Pilli could not bear their father's agony for long. Feeling helpless, they too started crying.
Luckily, Rashmi and her parents returned home. Mummy saw the kittens crying near the machine and was alarmed. She, immediately rushed to the machine and saw Billa,the cat, moving inside it. She switched off the machine and took Billa out of it. The cat was half-dead due to exhaustion, Rashmi's mother laid it in the sun. Pillu and Pilli followed her and started circling around their father.
Rashmi's mother did not like the cat and her kittens but today she could not help pitying them. She brought a bowl full of hot milk and placed it before Billa. Billa drank it and felt better. He looked at Rashmi's mother with eyes full of gratitude. Then she walked away with her kids.
Billa had learnt a lesson from this incident. He would not touch the things, he is not familiar
with, he decided. He altogether stopped indulging in pranks. Rashmi's mother too became friendly towards them after the incident. She would even offer them milk now and then. The 2 families had indeed become friends after the incident.
The End

Billa, the cat, Learns a Lesson- part 2

Read part 1
Pillu and Pilli came near the washing machine and peeped inside it. They grew scared. "Daddy, I will not go in it. I am feeling scared," Pillu said.
"Daddy even I am scared of it," Pilli said in a trembling voice.
"But what makes you so scared?" Billa asked.
"Who knows if there is a wooden hammer fitted in it like that of a washerman which is used to beat the clothes," Pillu said.
"Yes, Daddy, if that wooden hammer strikes us 2-4 times, we would be finished," Pilli said.
"Oh, nothing of the sort will happen. The clothes just move in a circle and get cleaned. In fact, you would enjoy this movement which is like swaying here to there in a swing," Billa said smiling.
Thus Billa tried to persuade Pillu and Pilli to get cleaned in the machine, but Pillu and Pilli remained reluctant. At last, Billa said, "All right. Let me get cleaned myself first. That will remove your fear. Okay?"
"All right," Pillu and Pilli said.
Billa went inside the machine and spoke, "Now press the button."
Pillu pressed the button. A peculiar noise was produced and the machine started. The motor moved in circles, with which Billa also started moving. In the beginning, the machine moved slowly and Billa enjoyed himself. But as soon as it picked up speed, Billa became nervous. He lost his balance and fell down. Before he could collect himself, the machine started moving in the reverse direction. Now Billa appeared miserable. The machine would now rotate
him in one direction and then in the reverse direction, turn by turn. The washing machine which he considered like the ride at disneyland was all set to stir him to death, he feared.
"Oh my God, please stop the machine, or I will die," Billa cried.
"Daddy, but how to stop it?" Pillu asked desperately.
"Press the other button to stop it. It must be somewhere near the first button,"
saying, Billa burst into tears.
Read part 3

Billa, the cat, Learns a Lesson- part 1

Billa, the cat, was very mischievous. He would run from here to there throughout the day. This caused anxiety for Rashmi's mother. She
would place the milk inside the cupboard and take every care to keep it beyond Billa's reach.
However Billa would sniff here and there and find out where it was lying and finish it in no time.
Billi was Billa's wife. Billi had given birth to 2 kittens recently. Billa named them as Pillu and Pilli. Now they were grown and the family of 4 had made Mummy miserable. Billa had even taught his kids to open the refrigerator. Now Pillu and Pilli would keep the door of the fridge open. They would also enter and eat the things kept inside it.
It took Rashmi's mother quite long before she knew how the things disappeared from inside the fridge. Then one day, she caught the 4 stealing red-handed. From that day onwards she kept her fridge locked.
One day, Rashmi's mother prepared a plum cake. The aroma of the plum cake spread all around the house. Having finished the preparation, Rashmi's mother went to call Rashmi and her father. In the meantime Billa, Billi, Pillu and Pilli reached there. They lifted up the cake and carried it to the roof. There, they sung "Happy birthday" and finished the cake.
Last week, Rashmi's father had purchased a washing machine. Rashmi's mummy would put dirty clothes in it and press the start button. The machine would clean the clothes in no time. It saved the family lots of efforts. Billa watched the washing machine cleaning the clothes with curiosity. One day, when Rashmi and her parents were out, Billa told his kids, "Pillu and Pilli come, let me wash you in the machine."
"Do you want to wash us in the machine? Suppose we get caught inside the motor, then what will you do?" Pillu was worried.
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen. This is a good machine. They wash rough jeans as well as soft woollens in it." Billa was confident.
Pilli, too had the information. "Yes, the other day when Rashmi got her new white sweater soiled, his mother washed it in the machine. After washing, it came out shining," she said.
"Yes. I want you to come out cleaner with your fur shining. Come, get inside the machine," Billa was in a hurry.
Read part 2

Lesson for the Cat (Part 1)

Based on a Story by Gyandev Mukesh
Winter had set in and Lomdi the Jackal was feeling cold. He collected some dry woodand lit up a fire to keep himself warm. He went off to sleep when he felt warm and comfortable. Chooha, the Mouse too was feeling very cold. Taking the opportunity she cuddled close to the fire. Billa, the cat too joined them. Chooha was enjoying the warmth of the fire and was unaware of the presence of the danger lurking near her "the cat". After some time, when Billa, the cat be came comfortable, she thought of going home. When she turned, her eyes fell on Chooha, the mouse.
"Wow! A mouse. I will roast it and enjoy my meal", and Billa, the cat nabbed the ignorant Chooha.
"Help, help," Chooha shouted and tried to free itself from Billa, the cat's clutches. This woke Lomdi the Jackal up and he inferred the whole situation.
He said to Billa, the cat, "The mouse is my little sister, so spare her. I will give you lots of dry wood to keep yourself cosy and comfortable at home." Billa, the cat said, "I can get wood from anywhere but to have the catch of a fat mouse comes rarely. I am going to roast the mouse, so get aside. If you wish,I can give you some to taste." Lomdi the Jackal understood that Billa, the cat was too eager of having Chooha, the mouse for supper.
He regretted lighting fire and started searching for a way to save Chooha, the mouse. Seeing some utensils with spices lying nearby,an idea struck Lomdi the Jackal. He said to Billa, the cat, "Why don't you roast Chooha in spices kept here and make it tasty."

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Match Fixing part 5

Part 5 of 5
Previous part

Later the Principal addressed the students during Assembly:
"Dear teachers and students,
It is indeed unfortunate that I have to deal with such a situation. I am sorry to say that two of our school students Peter and David have been suspended for unacceptable behaviour."
"I learn that Peter of nineth grade, a young boy who is in the habit of betting, has betted with many students of our school for Rs 500 and stood to gain money to the tune of Rs 10,000 through these bets. He had promised to pay David Rs 5,000 if he threw the match in Modern High’s favour.
I have just suspended the 2 students, not removed them because they are still young and at an impressionable age and I would like to give them both an opportunity to reform their ways."
"Let others learn a lesson from this incident and be honest in their actions and motives and bring laurels to their school and the Country."
The Assembly dispersed amid disbelief and anger.
"Hence forth, we should not get involved in betting of any type," Rashmi declared.
"Yes, never again," the other 3 echoed.
"Thank God, our names did not come out in the open."
"Tomorrow is our Sc1ente test. Let us concentrate on it" Akash suggested.
"That is right."
All four having learnt a lesson, resolved to concentrate on their studies and to keep away from bad habits.

The End...

Match Fixing part 4

Part 4 of 5
Previous part

It read:
"Our school cricket team captain David has been suspended from attending school for 2 weeks. He also ceases to be our school cricket team captain owing to the betting charges against him. Peter of Nineth gread too has been suspended for 2 weeks in this regard."
"Pavan, Akash, Sulabh, come quickly. Look here," yelled an excited Rashmi,
"What is wrong Rashmi? Why are you shouting like this?" Pavan enquired.
"Look..." pointed Rashmi.
The 3 looked at the notice board, their mouth wide open with shock and surprise.
"I don’t think David is capable of such a thing. I think somebody is out to tarnish his name," Rashmi defended her hero.
Pavan was more level headed, "Why would any-body do such a thing? If Peter and David both have been suspended. I think the management should have proof against them."
"Maybe, the Modern High team must have bribed him so that they could win the trophy" suggested Akash.
"Most likely" the other 3 supported his opinion unanimously.

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Match Fixing part -3

Part 3 of 5
Previous part

Akash shrugged, "Probably just to show off that he is different and to gain attention" he suggested.
Though their minds were reeling with excitement about the forthcoming match, the bets they had committed to, troubled them. What if their Principal came to know about it? Or if one of their parents finds out and decided to take the betting matter to the Principal?
"Anyway, our school is going to win the match and we stand to gain. Be happy" Pavan consoled his mates.
"We want a Sixer... we want a Sixer..." shouted the crowd. Inspite of David’s poor batting, Bombay Scottish" had managed to reach a score of 143 runs In 48 overs.
"Modern High" was nearing 100 runs in 32 overs and had 5 wickets in hand.
"Bombay Scottish" was heavily banking on Davids bowling prowess. If he could come up with a spectacular bowling display, as usual, the cup would be their this year too.
David let his team down with poor bowling and "Modern High" won the game with 8 overs to spare.
The students of "Bombay Scottish" could not believe what they had just witnessed. Their hero, David had let them down. Here was Modern High walking away with the cup.
Amidst much cheering and booing, Abhishek was presented the trophy. The students of Modern High walked away with the trophy, their heads held up high, with pride.
Pavan, Sulabh, Akash and Rashmi sat in one end of their school playground totally dissapointed.
How were they going to collect Rs 500 to give to Peter?
A notice on the school notice board, a few days later, shook everybody.

Next part

Match Fixing part 2

Part 2 of 5
Previous part

He was a master stroke player, a cunning, accurate bowler and an agile fielder. For the past 3 years, Bombay Scottish had retained the winning trophy meant for the best team in the city, thanks to David.
Bombay Scottish was expected to win this year too. According to all the students including those of Modern High, David was in great form and had scored 90 runs and taken 3 wickets for 12 runs in their semifinal against Vidya Montessori School.
"But 500 rupees is a huge amount. Peter has no problem. He was rich and had the money, but what about us? Suppose we lose our bet?" Akash was worried.
Rashmi, Akash, Pawan and Sulabh were walking home in the evening.
"It is Peter who ought to worry. After all with David in our team, Modern High do not stand a chance" Pawan sounded optimistic.
"I don’t know why Peter keeps betting like this. It has become a habit with him. He Knows very well that our school is going to win, why is he betting on Modern High?" Rashmi observed.

Next part

Match Fixing part 1

Part 1 of 5
"I will bet on Modern High School for the forthcoming cricket match. Will you accept a bet for Rs 500?" Peter asked.
All the students in the class were stunned and glanced at one another. Rs 500 was quite a big amount. And they were sure, Modern High School was going to be defeated with David working wonders in Bombay Scottish team. They could not resist the temptation.
"We will accept the bet with you" said Rashmi, after a brief pause on behalf of the rest.
"It is a deal then," said Peter as the bell rang to announce the end of lunch session.
The nineth grade students took their seats as their history teacher entered the classroom. The whole class was bubbling with excitement and the history teacher could sense it.
Not only this class but the whole school seemed to be talking about nothing but the cricket match. It was scheduled for Sunday.
Their school "Bombay Scottish" was to take on "Modern High".
Both the schools boasted of strong teams but Bombay Scottish had an edge over Modern High in the sense that it had David as its Captain. David was a dread to his opponents.

Next part

Rahul learns his lesson the hard way (Part 4)

"All right. We will pardon you. But you have to pay for your misdeeds. As a punishment, you have to hold your ears and do situps 20 times as a punishment. Furthermore, you have to promise us that such callous mistakes would not be repeated in future," the tube-light said.

"I agree and promise that I will not repeat such mistakes anymore... 1... 2... 3..." Rahul held his ears and did situps.

"Son, wake up. It is 4 pm and you are already late for tuitions. And why are you counting in your sleep?" his mother asked waking him up. Rahul woke up startled, rubbing his eyes. He saw that the fan and tube-light were running all fine.

"Nothing serious, mother. I was just dreaming," Rahul replied back feeling relieved. He got up from his bed, and much to his mother's surprise, he switched off the fan and tube-light.., and went into the bathroom to wash his face.

Rahul learned the lesson, wasting electricity has a negative effect on the environment and causes global warming, we should switch off electricity when not required and help save the planet

Rahul learns his lesson the hard way (Part 3)

Rahul was a brilliant Class 5 student. He always excelled in studies and sports as well. But he was a lazy boy. All the electronic gadgets of his house were always kept running for no reason.
His parents used to caution him occasionally mend his ways as early as possible. He would follow their advice for some time. But after that, things remained as bad as before. His parents were worried and fed up with Rahul’s inattention.
There were 3 days to go for the exams. And this time, his father had promised to present him a bicycle if he stood first in the class. He had to study a lot. But today, looking at the uncooperative attitude of the household gadgets, he was getting a bit nervous. He was clueless as to how to end this ordeal.
"Please don’t do this to me. I have exams after 3 days... and have to study," Rahul tried to pacify them.
"No. We are not going to pay heed to your request. You never cared for us. Therefore, we will also do the same," the refrigerator answered curtly.

Rahul started crying in despair. He pleaded them with folded hands, "Please forgive me, I will not repeat this mistake again. I will not be an unmindful boy anymore. I will make sure to switch you ‘off’ after the use. Please... I beg you... forgive me this time. I will make sure that I wont abuse the environment"

Rahul learns his lesson the hard way (Part 2)

"And I too will not serve you with cold water and ice-cream as well," the refrigerator declared.
"But why? What have I done?" Rahul asked with a glint of tear in his eyes.

"Because you always harassed us. You keep us ‘on’ and then conveniently forget to switch us ‘off’ when not in use," the table-lamp explained him in an annoyed tone.

"You open my door and leave it as it is. As a result, I am forced to put in a lot of extra effort to keep things cool," the refrigerator protested.
"And as regards me, you are the most careless. Last time when you had gone to Delhi with your parents, you had forgotten to switch me ‘off.’ I was kept running for full 2 days. As a result, all my internal wiring got burned," the fan spoke in a huff.
"You keep me ‘on’ and then go out to play. Do you know how bad I feel when there is nobody to watch me," the television aired his grief.
"You also leave me running and go to your friend’s house. I have to labour a lot and sweat myself to keep your room cool," the cooler also chipped in.
"Your laxity has caused a lot of inconvenience to us and as a result your father has to pay higher electricity bills and created a lot of environmental damage" the tube-light said.
"We will no longer provide you with all these comforts. We are going on strike," the fan gave the decision.

"Yes... yes... we will go on strike," they all spoke in unison.

Rahul learns his lesson the hard way (Part 1)

This is a very nice bedtime story based on a story by Om Prakash Maurya
"OH! WHY has this fan stopped working?" Rahul said wiping the sweat from his brow. "Now only I have stopped working. Just wait and see what happens next." "What? Who is this speaking?" Surprised, Rahul began looking around.

"I am the one who is speaking," the fan replied. Rahul raised his head. He asked him perplexed, "Can you speak too?" "Yes. I can speak. Well, usually I don’t talk and do my work silently. But when somebody troubles me, only then speak," the fan replied "But, I have not troubled you. Then why have you stopped working? My exams are about to start from Monday and I cannot concentrate on my studies because of extreme heat."

"That is why the fan has stopped working. This careless attitude will not work anymore with us. Now I will also not provide you with any light." This time the tube-light spoke up.

Please forgive me (Part 4)

Previous part of the story

Motu, the Dog and Kajri, the Cow got hold of him and tied his hands and legs. Then they locked him in a room. Amar was sweating heavily and feeling very scared. His heart was beating very fast. He longed for his parents, and started crying loudly.
The feeling that he was away from his parents, made him very sad. He realised the importance of his parents and lamented his mistakes. Soon, the door opened. All the animals were standing at the door.
Amar implored crying, "Please forgive me. From now on, I will not harass any creature. I am suffering for not being with my parents. I can understand the trauma you have undergone due to my mischief. I will no longer trouble anybody. Forgive me... please forgive me ..."
"Amar... Amar... what happened? Wake up, Son. To whom are you apologising?" His mother shook him and he woke up baffled.
"Was I dreaming?" Amar rubbed his eyes in disbelief and looked all around.
"Mother, I cannot live without you. I have realised my mistake. Now I will not harm any creature." Amar touched his ears apologising for his mistake.
"My beloved Son! Come, your father is calling." His mother cuddled him.
"Yes, Mother, I am coming. Just a minute." Amar remembered the puppy in the celler and rushed for the cellar to free the puppy.

End of the story

Please forgive me (Part 3)

Previous part of the story

"Arrey! Where have I come... and what are there strange noises all around?" Amar got perplexed and looked here and there.
In no time, Kajri, the Cow, Binny, the Cat, Chichi, the Bird, Kali, the Goat and Motu, the Dog circled him. They were all shouting in anger.
"Friends, this boy has tortured us for a long time. For no reason, he irritates and injures us. Today, he is in our control. Now, you all decide what punishment is to be meted out to him?" Motu Dog growled.
Amar got very frightened to find him among the animals.
Binny Cat said, "Motu Brother, you are absolutely correct. This boy usually snatches our children from us. We have to teach him an appropriate lesson. Keep him away from his parents for a while. Only then will he realise that taking somebody’s offspring is so hurtful and causes suffering for the both parent and the child."
"Yes... yes... he has to pay for his wrong doings here only. He will be punished," the enraged animals shouted in unison.

Last part of the story

Please forgive me (Part 2)

First part of the story

One day early in the morning, Amar was getting ready for the school. Just then, he happened to see a puppy roaming by his front gate. He immediately thought of playing a prank. Paying no attention to his parent’s advice; he tiptoed out, brought in the puppy and took him at his backyard cellar.
In the meanwhile, his mother came and started looking for him, "Amar, where are you? Have your breakfast. Come here fast. You are getting late for the school."
Amar left the puppy in the cellar and placed a basket over it.
The helpless puppy cried for help, "Yap... yap... yap..." but Amar had already left the cellar locking it from outside.
By noon, he came back from the school and was feeling very weary. He had simply forgotten that he had hid the puppy in the cellar. He changed his uniform, had his lunch and retired to have a quick afternoon nap.

Next part of the story

Please forgive me (Part 1)

Based on a story by Nidhi Shrivastav

Chirp, chirp chirp..."Oh! Why is this bird making so much of noise?" Mother wondered, "Amar must be upto some mischief."
She left her work and rushed into the room to witness that Amar was happy playing with the baby bird. But the mother bird was circling him, worried and screaming for help. "Chirp, chirp, chirp..."
"Amar, where have you brought this bird from? Son, why do you always trouble these innocent birds? Just put her back in the nest. Don’t you see that her mother is looking very concerned and scared?" His mother was annoyed. Amar got up to keep the baby bird in the nest.
But this was his daily routine. He would enjoy teasing the animals and birds. Sometimes, he would harass Kajri Cow’s calf. The other day, he tied the goat’s legs. He would often catch hold of kittens by their tender neck or threw stones at dogs. All the time, his mind was upto some mischief or the other to torment the birds and animals.
Amar used to feel delighted whenever he would nag and heckle a bird or animal. His father had often reprimanded him for this. His mother had also cautioned and warned him. But Amar would not listen.

Next part of the story

A Lesson of Unity (Part 4)

Previous part of the story

"Stop preaching me or I will finish you," Milk placed on the fire boiled with anger.
This was the moment Lemon waited for. He immediately went to the sweets, "Come here, one of you and cut me to 2 pieces."
"But.that will...how can we..."
"There is no time to waste. Hurry up. worry for me," saying Lemon climbed on the the big bowl containing the milk. Burfi forward and cut Lemon to 2 pieces.
"Ah," Lemon groaned. 2-3 drops of the lemon juice fell in the boiling milk.
Soon, the milk soured.
"Do you know where you stand now? Will you ever claim your superiority again? A small lemon is strong enough to spoil your structure," the lemon was breathing his last.
The sweets felt pity on the milk. "It is bad to
quarrel with one another," they spoke in unison.
The lemon lost his life but succeeced to teach the a lesson of unity to the
sweets.

Moral: We should not quarrel amongst ourselves so that some one takes advantage of us

End of the story

A Lesson of Unity (Part 3)

Previouspart of the story

One day, the shopkeeper suffered from indigestion. He send his servent to fetch 4 lemons, then he cut 2 lemons, squeezed them to get the jiuce, added a little water to the juice, drank it and slept. The juice gave him a little comfort and soon he started snoring.


The remaining 2 lemons found the noise disturbing. One of them got out of the shop while the other got inside the shop to find the sweets sobbing.
"What is the matter? What makes you cry?" the lemon asked the sweets.
The sweets saw a friend in the lemon and shared their grief with him.
"The milk has made our life miserable." they said.
"Do not worry. I will help you." the lemon consoled them.
"You? You are as small as a little ball, how can you help us?" the sweets asked with surprise.
"Wit and intellect have nothing to do with one’s size. Just watch me cutting him to size." lemon said.
"Oh, just keep your mouth shut, you little fool! Can’t you see such a large group of sweets failed to challenge me? How dare you do so?" The milk said.
"Friend, don’t boast of yourself. I agree that you have many qualities, but it does not mean that you should torture the sweets."

Last part of the story

A Lesson of Unity (Part 2)

Start of the story

After a few days, the sweets again quarrelled. They created lots of noise and were about to fight when the milk lying in a large bowl intervened, "What is the matter? Why do you quarrel?"
The sweets told them the reason of their dispute.
The milk heard them and laughed saying, "In fact, I am the greatest. None of you can compete with me
"How can you say that?" sweets asked.
"It is so simple. You cannot exist without me, because I am used to prepare you. Even the kheer is prepared using me", the milk said, "now it is upto you to decide whether or not I am the greatest." The sweets appeared convinced.
The milk felt happy that the sweets were convinced, "Now on, I am your king and you are my subjects. You will have to obey me."
The milk took advantage of the differences among the sweets.
He made them dance to his tunes and indulged in all sorts of excesses.
The sweets grew more and more worried. But they were unable to find a way out. They could not take on the milk due to lack of unity among themselves. When alone, they would weep at their plight and thus managed to copy up with the agony.

Next part of the story