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A Letter to God

• This story by G.L. Fuentes highlights the unwavering faith of a simple farmer named Lencho in God.
• Lencho, hoping for a good harvest, faced devastation when a hailstorm destroyed his crops.
• Despite his hardship, Lencho wrote a letter to God, asking for one hundred pesos to replant his crops and provide for his family.
• The postman was amused by the letter but showed it to the postmaster.
• Moved by Lencho's faith, the postmaster and employees contributed money, collecting seventy pesos, which was less than requested.
• Lencho became upset upon receiving only seventy pesos.
• In a second letter, he asked God to send the remaining thirty pesos directly and requested it not be sent through the mail, presuming the post office workers would steal it.
• Lencho believed the post office employees were "a bunch of crooks"

Nelson Mandela

• An excerpt from Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela's autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom" recounts the struggle for freedom for black people in South Africa.
• On May 10, 1994, Mandela became South Africa's first Black President after over three centuries of White rule.
• His party won 252 out of 400 seats in South Africa's first democratic elections.
• During the inauguration, Mandela promised that South Africa would never experience oppression again, ensuring equality regardless of race, color, or creed.
• The inauguration day was significant, with South Africans singing two national anthems which symbolized the birth of democracy in South Africa.
• Mandela stated that racial domination and the oppression of blacks by whites created one of the harshest societies ever.
• He believed hate is learned and can be unlearned, replaced by love.
• According to Mandela, every person has obligations towards family and country.
• Mandela believed freedom is indivisible; both the oppressed and the oppressor require liberation.
• Denying freedom to others imprisons the oppressor, shackling them with injustice.

His First Flight

• Liam O'Flaherty's "His First Flight" centers on a young seagull afraid to fly, fearing his wings would fail him.
• His siblings had flown despite having smaller wings.
• The parents threatened the seagull with starvation if he didn't fly, but that didn't work.
• One day, the family taunted the seagull for his cowardice.
• Starving and feeling the sun's heat, the young bird begged his mother for food.
• Desperate with hunger, he jumped at a piece of fish offered by his mother and unexpectedly began to fly.
• Overcoming his fear, the young seagull soared, skimmed through the waves, and joined his siblings.

The Black Aeroplane

• Fredrik Forsyth's "Black Aeroplane" revolves around a pilot who encounters a mysterious situation.
• The pilot flies from France to England, wanting to have breakfast with his family.
• After crossing Paris, the pilot enters storm clouds and becomes disoriented.
• Seeing another aeroplane with no lights, the pilot followed it blindly due to a lack of radio signal and low fuel.
• Guided by the mysterious aeroplane, the pilot lands safely.
• Upon inquiring, the control center informs him that no other aeroplane was in the sky that night.

From the Diary of Anne Frank

• "From the Diary of Anne Frank" is an autobiography where Anne wrote her thoughts in a diary named Kitty.
• Anne loved her family and mentions her adorable father who gave her the diary on her thirteenth birthday.
• On June 20th, 1942, Anne expressed her class's nervousness about exam results, especially in mathematics.
• Anne recalls the math teacher, Mr. Keesing, punishing her talkative nature with extra homework.
• The first assignment was to write an essay on 'A Chatterbox'.
• After failing to reform her, he assigned a second essay, 'An Incorrigible Chatterbox'.
• Finally, he gave her the essay, 'Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox', which was done with the help of her friend Sanne and written very satirically.
• After, Mr. Keesing enjoyed the essays thoroughly, allowing Anne in class and never assigned any extra homework.

Glimpses of India - Coorg

• Lokesh Abrol describes Coorg as the smallest district of Karnataka, located between Mangalore and Mysore.
• Coorg is known for evergreen forests, spices, coffee plantations, and many tourists travel there between September and March.
• The region's air is filled with coffee scents.
• Coorg's people are independent and of Greek or Arabic descent, which began when part of Alexander's army settled in the region.
• The Coorg people are brave, and the Coorg Regiment is significant in the Indian Army.
• General Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, was from Coorg.
• Hilly forest regions is the water source for Cauvery River.

A Baker from Goa

• Lucio Rodrigues' "The Baker from Goa" reflects on the significance of bakers in Goan culture during Portuguese times era.
• The baker, or pader, was an essential figure in every Goan household.
• Bread was a staple in daily life, festivals, and traditions.
• The baker would announce his arrival with his bamboo staff; children would eagerly await his arrival, specifically for bread bangles or sweet bread known as bolinhas.
• Bakers wore a peculiar dress called kabai and carried bread baskets on their heads.
• Baking was profitable, symbolizing heritage and tradition in Goan culture.

Tea from Assam

• Arup Kumar Datta's "Tea from Assam" follows Rajvir and Pranjol's journey to Assam, the largest tea-producing state in India.
• Rajvir and Pranjol are traveling to Pranjol's hometown in Assam for summer vacation.
• Rajvir is excited about the beautiful scenery of tea gardens and shares his knowledge about the tea with Pranjol.
• Tea was first discovered in China according to a Chinese legend, by Emperor Shen Nung.
• According to another Indian legend, Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids to stay awake during meditation, and tea plants.
• Arriving to Assam, Rajvir traveled to the tea plantation and was amazed at the vast size.
• Highlighting the history of tea making it enjoyable to all.

Mijbil the Otter

• Gavin Maxwell's "Mijbil the Otter" accounts the author's experience of keeping an otter as a pet.
• Maxwell and friend travel from Europe to Basra, Iraq, where Maxwell wants to adopt an otter after suffering the loss of his dog.
• Maxwells friend advises him getting one fromTigris marshes.
• Two Arabs brought an otter which he named Mijbil.
• At first, it takes Mij sometime to adjust, but Maxwell notices how much he loves and is fascinated with water.
• Mij learns how to turn off the faucet in the bathroom due to intelligence and playful behavior.
• Traveling to England has its barriers, as only one airline allowed pets with the condition that they were packed properly.
• The Otter was placed in a box, when Maxwell returned the Otter Mijbil had chewed the box and cut himself.
• Maxwell reached the airport and asked the air hostility for his otter to come with him, the helper accepted his plea.
• The journey resulted in commotion, causing a bit of a ruckus
• After a while, the otter became accustom to its surroundings, playing with ping-pong balls and marbles.
• Many are confused what the Otter truly is, asking random questions.

Madam Rides the Bus

• "Madam Rides the Bus" has an eight-year-old Tamil girl named Valliammai, or Valli, who is curious to explore her village.
• Valliammai's favorite activity is standing in her doorway and watching street.
• By eavesdropping on conversations, Valli learns about the bus journey.
• Valli learns the trip would be 6 miles and cost 30 paise.
• Determined to experience the adventure, Valli saved money by resisting temptations like sweets/toys,
• Valli buys her ticket and boards the bus.
• There, the chauffeur calls her Madam and helps her settle.
• Valli admired the natural beauty.
• A playful moment that excites her is when a cow runs in front of the bus, making the driver honk.
• When the bus reaches the town, the conductor offers her explore, but she declines due to lack of funds.
• on the way back, Valli sees a dead cow that reminds her of the live cow encountered early, she realizes life and death.
• Valli sneaks back on time without her family noticing, which captures curiosity, and innocence.

The Sermon at Benares

• The Sermon at Benares conveys the teachings of Lord Buddha, who was originally known as Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince.
• Siddhartha discovered the old man, sick man, funeral procession, and the monk begging for alms.
• After wandering for seven years, he sat under a tree named the Bodhi Tree(Tree of Wisdom), became known as "The Enlightened One."
• Among the teachings was Kisa Gotami who was consumed withgrief for her lost son.
• When Kisa Gotami approached Buddha, asked for a simple task to collect mustard seeds from a household that had never experienced the death of family, relatives, and friends.
• Through the experience, Kisa Gotami understood every home has experienced the death of lost loved ones.
• Led to the belief that life and death is natural and must be accepted.

The Proposal

• Anton Chekhov's "The Proposal" is about marital ties.
• It evolves around the marriage and properties with comedic values and comedic values.
• The story begins with Ivan Lomov, who visits his wealth Stephan Chubukov wants to propose to is daughter.
• The proposal is in motion with hope, until the discussion becomes heated with arguments on which piece of property is whose.
• the discussion shifts to whose dog has higher breed and better lineage.
• In heat , Lomov collapses suddenly.
• In panic, Natalya accepts the proposal and pleads with her father to wake him.