అంతలో దానికి ఓ జింక ఎదురయ్యింది. 'ఆగాగు! ఎందుకు పరుగెత్తుతున్నావు, కుందేలూ' అని అడిగింది అది. 'అయ్యో, ఆకాశం విరిగిపడుతోంది, నువ్వూ పరుగెత్తు' అని ఉరుకెత్తింది కుందేలు. జింక దాని వెనకనే పరుగు పెట్టింది.
అలా ఉరుకుతున్న కుందేలు, జింకలకు పులి ఎదురైంది. పులి అడిగింది 'జింకా, కుందేలూ ఎందుకు పరుగెడుతున్నారు?' అని. 'అయ్యో, ఆకాశం విరిగిమీద పడుతోంది, నువ్వూ పరుగెత్తు' అన్నై జింకా, కుందేలూ. పులి కూడా వాటితో పాటు కలిసి పరిగెత్తటం మొదలు పెట్టింది.
అంతలో వాటికి ఓ ఏనుగు ఎదురయ్యింది. “ఏమర్రా, ఆగండి ఆగండి. ఎందుకు పరుగెత్తుతున్నారు?' అంటే అవి 'ఆకాశం విరిగిపడుతోంది నువ్వూ పరుగెత్తు పరుగెత్తు త్వరగా' అని అవన్నీ ఉరుకెత్తాయి అటూ ఇటూ చూడకుండా. ఇక ఏనుగుకూ వాటి వెనక పరుగెత్తక తప్పలేదు.
ఇలా ఇవన్నీ పరుగెత్తుతుంటే వాటికి ఓ సింహం ఎదురైంది. వాటిని 'ఎందుకు పరుగెత్తుతున్నారు? ఏమైంది?' అని అడిగింది. ఏనుగు చెప్పింది రొప్పుతూ- 'ఆకాశం విరిగిపడుతున్నది. అందుకే పరుగెత్తుతున్నాం' అని. కానీ సింహానికి ఇది విచిత్రంగా తోచింది. 'ఆకాశం విరిగిపడితే నువ్వు చూశావా?' అని అది ఏనుగును అడిగింది. 'నేను చూడలేదు. నాకు పులి చెప్పింది' అని అంది ఏనుగు.
'ఏం పులీ, ఆకాశం విరిగిపడ్డప్పుడు నువ్వు చూశావా?' అని సింహం పులిని నిలబెట్టి అడిగింది. 'లేదు, నాకు జింక చెప్పింది' అన్నది పులి. అప్పుడు సింహం జింకను నిలదీసింది: 'ఆకాశం విరిగిపడితే నువ్వు చూశావా?' అని. 'లేదు, నాకు కుందేలు చెప్పింది' అంది జింక. 'సరే' అని సింహం కుందేలును అడిగింది. 'నేను టెంకాయ మానుకింద నిద్రపోతున్నప్పుడు దబ్బుమని శబ్దం వినిపించింది. ఆకాశం విరిగిపడింది' అంది కుందేలు. 'ఆ టెంకాయ చెట్టు కిందకు వెళ్లి చూద్దాం అంది సింహం. అన్నీ కలిసి టెంకాయ చెట్టుకిందికి వెళ్లి చూశాయి. అక్కడ నేలమీద ఒక పెద్ద టెంకాయ కనిపించింది. అంతలో దబ్బుమని మళ్ళీ ఒక టెంకాయ పడింది. వెంటనే కుందేలు 'అదిగో, ఆకాశం విరిగిపడుతోంది, పరుగెత్తండి!' అంది.
సింహం అప్పుడు వెళ్ళి క్రిందపడిన టెంకాయను చూపిస్తూ 'ఇదేనా, నీ ఆకాశపు ముక్క?' అని అడిగింది. కుందేలుకు సంగతి అర్థమై సిగ్గుపడింది. మిగిలిన జంతువులన్నీ నవ్వాయి.
Ekalavya was a little boy, born in a poor family, many many years ago. His people lived a little away from Hastinapura, the capital of the Kuru kings. They used to clean other people’s dirt for a profession.
And for this reason they were shunned by society. Ekalavya and other kids of his group knew they too had to follow their parents’ professions.
Their parents often told them, “You are not meant to go to school. What use is school for carrying garbage which is your only job?”
“Don’t go near those people; they are high born, we are low born.”
Ekalavya didn’t understand.
“Why, but why?” he asked his mother. She replied “God set these limits.”
“God! Why would God want nice things for them and dirty things for us? Hasn’t God made all of us?” Ekalavya asked.
She sighed, “Darling I don’t know, but there are bounds we cannot cross, this is God’s rule.”
Ekalavya became quiet. From that day the only important thing for him was to understand the meaning of “limit”.
You know, kids (and grown ups) are sometimes cruel. One day Ekalavya and his friends trapped a little ant and were watching it try to escape. The ant tried and tried till it found a little opening at the edge of the trap and escaped.
Other children moved to trap it again but Ekalavya stopped them shouting, “The brave ant has broken the bounds. Limits are meant to be broken. I am free, free”.
One day, Ekalavya saw beautiful chariots come into the forest near his village. He saw boys of his age get out of the chariot one by one. What lovely clothes they wore!
Last, an old man with snowy white hair and spotless white clothes came out looking stern and calm. The boys seemed a little scared of the old man but with one dusky handsome boy, the old man’s behaviour was different, he smiled and patted this boy on the head.
Ekalavya heard his father’s voice, “Come away boy, there is work to do. Those are the Kuru princes, with their teacher Drona. The boy he just patted is his favourite, Arjuna. They have come to practice ‘archery’. Don’t go near them.”
“Father, all I want is a pat from the grand old man.” so saying, Eklavya ran towards the old man Drona.
By then the boys had started shooting with bows and arrows. What amazing things Arjuna did! He could shoot at a target with his eyes shut. He could shoot with his left hand as well as the right. And the teacher Drona? His arrows made fire, chased things in circles, brought rain and lightning. It was magical.
Arjuna’s eyes never left his teacher. It was like he wanted to absorb every bit of Drona. And you could see that Drona too was very proud of Arjuna.
The practice ended. Ekalavya went up to Drona and with folded hands said, “Great sir, please teach me”.
“I don’t teach the low-born,” was the cold reply as Drona turned away.
“Master, your arrows don’t seem to mind any limits, they bring rain and fire, they bring night and day. How then can you be bound by stupid thoughts of high and low birth?” With this Ekalavya walked away from the glaring Drona.
The next day, Ekalavya carved a statue of Drona on a tree trunk with a knife. He made himself a bow and arrows. Each day he would bow before the statue, practise shooting and imagine a pat on his back from Drona.
Some months passed. The grand princes and their master came to the forest again. As Arjuna reached to take aim of a particularly difficult target, an arrow reached Arjuna’s target before he could even aim. Shocked the boys and their teacher looked around. They saw Ekalavya, who went up to touch Drona’s feet.
“Who is your teacher?” Drona asked. Ekalavya quietly led him to the statue. Drona looked at it for some time and said, “If I am your Guru, give me my fee, my guru dakshina“.
“Ask, sir”, bowed Ekalavya. “I want your right thumb,” replied the stone hearted Drona. Without the right thumb to support it, how can any archer ever hold a bow? As Arjuna and the other princes watched in shock, Ekalavya wordlessly cut off his right thumb and laid it at Drona’s feet.
Many years passed. A great war was on in Kurukshetra between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, cousins who were related. Arjuna was on the side of the Pandavas. His teacher Drona, and many of his cousins, who had been Drona’s students with him, were on the other side.
After the day’s battle, a sad Drona was sitting in his camp. Suddenly, like a respectful prayer, arrows fell near his feet one after another. He looked up and who do you think he saw?
Why, Ekalavya ! The young Ekalavya said, “Master I have learned to shoot without my right thumb. I have learned to shoot with my left hand, and with my feet. I have taught others and raised an army. Today I’m known as a great archer.”
Drona was speechless.
“Master, I set your greatness free from the limits of your own mind. I made it my teacher in the form of your statue.
Your great love for Arjuna crossed the bounds of fairness when you asked for my thumb. You thought that it would finish me as an archer. But great masters always end up teaching something. By asking for my thumb, you made me learn to shoot with both hands and feet. And for this lesson, I offer my services to you in this war.”
Drona’s eyes filled with tears. He answered, “Yes, it is true, bounds and limits are in the mind. Real courage is fighting against wrong limits and respecting the correct ones. Ekalavya, you have taught me this.”
This is the story of a small boy of my age working next door. His name is Bharat.
His parents could not afford his studies and food. So they sent him to someone's house to work as a servant. He was interested in studies. But there was no use. He had to work hard day and night. In the morning, when I go to school with a heavy bag on my back full of books, young Bharat also comes to the bus stop, to drop his master's son.
Bharat carries the heavy load of a school bag on his little shoulders. When I get into the bus and look at Bharat, I see in his eyes a hope that one day he would also be coming to school, like us.
Many a times I wonder if he is completely like us, what would be wrong? Why can't he be put in an evening school for his studies, by his master? In my school, I have learnt that India in Hindi is called "Bharat". So what is the future of India or Bharat?
How many such small Bharats will be there in India who can if given an opportunity like us, be good citizens, that India can be proud of? Can we do something?
There were times when all one associated one’s father with, was a stern looking man with an invisible stick in hand. During those days, children were afraid to talk to their fathers and readily did whatever he ordered, for they knew only one thing - you can’t disobey your father. Still, there was that deep-rooted respect that guided them throughout one’s life. Times have changed. Today, dads are more indulgent. They don’t expect their children to say, “Yes, father!” all the time. Today, they care for their children more than ever. They go out with them, play with them, pamper them and even change their diapers and cook their lunch whenever they get time. Yet, they haven’t lost their position as the epitome of strength and respect in the household. Those times have changed but the love that one have for his/ her father in their heart haven’t changed. Love for the father is also a unique one that also have a bit of fear and a feeling of need of that special person to guide our way through to our future.
******* “By the time a man realizes that may be his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong. ” -Charles Wadsworth
India has got pretty good options as far as water sports is concerned. And if you do not fear water, then you have got real exciting watery packages, which include White Water Rafting, Water Skiing, Canoeing and Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Angling and Fishing. About the options that you can have for water sports in India, well, just keep on counting! There are the island destination of Andaman & Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshwadeep in the Arabian Sea. Then the best mainland choice for water adventures is Goa, where amateurs can also get professional help to get the watery taste. The thrill seekers can try out the Ganges and its tributaries in the north for river rafting.
The magic behind River Rafting also referred, as White Water Rafting, is the extreme and never-ending thrills in the untamed rivers. The rivers in the upper Himalayas are among the best in the world for river sports, with many staircase rapids that challenge the body and spirit of the river runner.
Ganges River has always remains a mystery for explorers and full of surprises for the rafters. Ganga near Rishikesh in Uttaranchal is a popular spot for white water rafting. The whitewater river rafting stretch of the Ganges is from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh where the river has 12 major rapids over 36-kms long, most of which are easily negotiable and some require our expertise.
When God made mothers, He took great care To fill their hearts with love so rare. Their children are their greatest prize; You can see the great love in your mother's eyes.
Love, love is a mother's gift To their precious children, their hearts to lift. Warm, tender and giving love That grows them up healthy and happy.
Thank you, mother for all you give To help me grow and to help me live. I will love you forevermore, My mother, my mom, whom I adore.
Love, love is a mother's gift To their precious children, their hearts to lift. Warm, tender and giving love That grows us up healthy and happy.
What can you do before your children walk out the door to help them feel they can conquer anything?
Feed their mind, body and soul each and every morning. By making a few simple changes before the bus arrives, you can have a big impact on how your children handle events at school.These no-nonsense pointers will help you remove a large portion of the last-minute stress that comes with every weekday morning.
1. Plan Ahead Do your children lag behind in the morning because they can’t find matching socks or their homework?
Start preparing the night before. Lay out clothing (including socks and shoes), sign all papers, pack lunches, and put everything by the door. This may sound simple but it really does cut down on morning stress and anxiety.
If your child takes medication, use a pill organizer so you know if the child has already taken the morning meds. A hectic morning could result in double-dosing. Avoid this at all costs.
2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep A good night’s sleep can never be underestimated. Parents, this goes for you too. Lack of sleep causes health problems, job performance problems and stress at home.
Be firm. Set a reasonable bedtime and then let your children EARN a later bedtime based on their daily performance. For example, base bedtime could be 9:00 p.m. If the child does well that day at school and at home (no bad reports, no time outs) then they can extend to 9:30 as a reward. They may go from complaining about 9:00 p.m. to actually APPRECIATING 9:30 as an alternative.
3. Rise and Shine: Parents Learn to embrace the morning. Wake up 15 minutes early and make yourself some coffee or tea. Sit on the porch in the morning air and breathe in the fresh air. A slow start will give you more patience to deal with unexpected events that come your way.
4. Rise and Shine: Kids If your kids are still young (like mine) you can use a a little more creativity. There was a time when getting my kids up was like awakening a couple of beasts in a cave. They’d whine “No, I’m tired” or “I just went to sleep” or “I hate morning!” — and the list goes on.
One day, I thought I’d add a little spice to morning. I was going to let them control the process.
My children LOVE music so I cranked up the stereo. Within five minutes they were all up and singing along. This was a miracle! Now, we do the same ritual every morning. Loud music CAN be good for the soul.
When my kids were younger, I sang to them until they woke up. “Rise and shine lazy, sleepy head. Get your lazy bones out of the bed!” I picked a goofy song from my own childhood (Patch the Pirate) that they would surely smile about.
5. Time to Get a Grip Even kids need time to adjust to a new day. Don’t wake them up with only 15 minutes to spare! This is a recipe for disaster. As parent, we usually make some time for ourselves - even during our drive to work. Remember: Kids need time to prepare for the day, too.
6. Talk to Them Use the extra time you saved by preparing ahead to talk to your children before they leave for school.
Ask what they will be doing at school that day, or if any tests are coming up. Get to know their schedule and their morning rituals. This will help to keep the channels of communication open between you.
7. Laugh with Them Laughter is something we all can indulge in — and it doesn’t cost us a thing.
Tell your children something funny before they leave for school. Even if it is something silly like reading the comics on the cereal box, in the paper, or telling them something that happened to you on the previous day - - let them know that you can laugh.
8. Feed Them Remember: garbage in = garbage out. Breakfast is the most important meal of your day. Don’t skimp or skip. Your child needs nutrients in order to learn.
Make a hot breakfast. Read the ingredients on cereal boxes and make healthy choices. Make sure that something of value to your child’s health is contained in your breakfast choices.
9. Hug Them As your children get older, they may be less affectionate and "touchy-feely." Don’t let that stop you! Never let your child leave your home without some type of physical interaction with you.
Hug your child for a few seconds longer each morning. Tell your child that you love them. A hand on the shoulder, a high-five, a kiss and smile - - use whatever works for you and your child. Make that important contact.
Make Sure Your Birthday Party Is Known With The Perfect Screen Printing Invite
Everyone knows that if you want to get your birthday party known, invitations are a must. Whether you are looking to have a small gathering or a huge bash, invitations are essential to letting people know when and where the party will be. But why not mix things up a little bit and send your invitations on custom tee shirts.
Using tee shirts as your invitations is a creative and unique way to make sure your birthday party is the best party of the year. Simple invitations by cards are boring, repetitive, and far from unique. Nobody saves invitations by card, but sending out an invitation, with a really cool design on a tee shirt gives all of the guests a souvenir.
Aside from the creative and unique invitation, it can also allow you to set up what the event will entail. With basic invitations it is hard to fit in everything that will take place. Typically there is only room for the time, date and location of the party. But on the unique invitation, there is much more room to fit all of the details on the shirt.
If you are going to have a band, put on the screen printing tee shirt who will be performing. If there will be badtmitten and a pool , entice people to come with these details. But most importantly, make sure that it is known that you are the birthday girl or birthday boy and this is a special day that you deserve.
Tee shirts also allow you to be far more creative than a simple invitation by card. If there is going to be a band performing at your birthday party, put a picture of the band on the shirt with their logo. If you are looking to have a beach themed party, create a shirt full of color with palm trees and sand to create the fun.
You probably fear that having custom tee shirts made just for a birthday party is going to be expensive, but that is where you are wrong. Screen printing tee shirts are extremely cheap at www.cheaptees.org and are cheaper the more you purchase. It is a deal that nobody can pass up making it a no brain decision to send off your very own birthday invitations on a tee shirt.
How often do you receive birthday invites on tee shirts? Probably never. And that is exactly why you want to make your birthday one to remember with a custom tee shirt invitation.
Allen Warren originated cheaptees.org in 2002. Designed to help make ordering of screen printed and embroidered goods a snap. Bringing to the table nearly 21 years experience in the printing industry, Allen is always available for customer consultation. Cheaptees Supplies both printed and un-printed goods with an emphasis on customer service top priority. Please contact Allen at www.cheaptees.org
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Ekalavya didn’t understand. 
Where the ocean meets the sky
