One More Poem I've written.

Right, so I've written yet another poem (hey, i'm churning them out at a surprising rate!!) and it's all about nagging. Now if you think I'm crazy then you're justified because it is not a common topic. But if you saw how my mother goes on at home then you'd be surprised. By the way, a question for her colleagues, does she nag you to get your work done too ?:) One thing is for sure- she nags my dad, my brother and of course, me. Well here goes:

DO STOP NAGGING!

Do stop nagging!
What would I give
If I got some time
Just to live.
But NO, you always insist upon
Nagging, nagging on and on.

Do stop nagging!
Is your homework complete?
There are guests coming, and your desk isn't neat!
Don't you ever get off the phone?
Ugh! How many times must I hone
My multiplication skills?
Just thinking of fractions gives me the chills.
And yet you make sure at least ten times
That I sit at that desk till the twelfth hour chimes.

Do stop nagging!
Yes, you'll say that it's all for our own good
But for God's sake! You're putting us off our food!
I really never saw the necessity
What you're committing is an atrocity.
We've absolutely no free time for ourselves.
It isn't our fault if our mind delves
Into obscure memories when we're at those books.
Just remember that inspite of all your strict looks,
We can't help thinking of other things.
When we're studying, we're physically there but our mind takes to wings.

Now that you have read this,
I hope you understand
Nagging takes kids nowhere
Except to dream land
So if you want our marks to improve
Learn from us and just go with the groove.

Teaching My Brother To Tie His Shoelaces

Today I tried to teach my brother to tie his shoelaces. Tried, mind you. I wasn't successful. Well that's an understatement. I was half in tears at the end of it (at my inadequacy in teaching him), my brother was crying (because he couldn't get it), and there was no outcome anyways (obviously not). This goes to show the level of my patience. I couldn't teach anyone anything to save my life. I mean, I think my brother's hand-eye coordination is faulty. But that's not possible because he can draw like a pro. Then why on earth does he need about half an hour to make two loops of those shoelaces? I mean, even if you say that fine, it's his first time, just leave it, he'll learn, but half an hour? It's the limit. And my mother is breathing down my neck and referring to Mr. Bill, and saying," If he taught you how to tie your laces then you've never given justice to his memory unless you teach someone else how to tie theirs, and blah blah blah." Mr Bill got paid to teach us stuff like that. And he was a great man and teacher, unlike me. I really got irritated. Even my dad couldn't teach him properly. Why do I always have to be the one to teach our pet monster stuff and take care of him? Even now at 2:42 in the afternoon, I'm supposed to entertain him so that my mother can take her nap or read or whatever it is she's doing. Now tell me, if you had a 6 year old boy bent on irritating you and eventually burning your poor brain and body down to a frazzle behind you for every moment of the day (if he had a chance I bet he'd follow me into the toilet), how on earth would you feel? Irritated. Angry. Annoyed. Nope. That's not it. I feel like murdering him. And in your comments please don't write, "Life is not a bed of roses." Or "Life isn't fair." Why can't it be fair at least about this topic?

Sholay Review

This is a review I've written about the movie 'Sholay'. Hope you enjoy it!

SHOLAY- THE REVIEW BY ME

Sholay is an excellent movie. Of course it is, if it was in the box office for five whole years! But there are some pros and cons about it which I would like to bring to light.
Jaya Bhaduri could have been given something else to do other than lighting and putting out lanterns and watering the plants. Granted, she's acted well, but we want more action! Why couldn't she knock a bad guy over the head using a watering can? Or maybe throw burning matches on Gabbar to avenge her husband's death?
Basanti (Hema Malini) is definitely capable of doing more than just dancing on glass to save her husband-to-be's life! How about training that ultra-bubbly lass to wield a gun? Or possibly, would she have the guts to run Dhanno and that famous tonga of her's over Gabbar the great dacoit?
In the movie there are way too many flashbacks. "Bahut lambi kahani hai", keheke lambi kahani ban jati hai!
But on the other hand, the movie is a superhit! And there are so many funny parts!

For example, when Veeru is on top of the water tank, you almost die laughing! And Jai and his sarcastic remarks like," Tumhara naam kya hai Basanti?" keeps us in splits!Plus, I have formed many strong opinions after seeing this movie:-

1. Dacoits should be punished severely. Locking them up doesn't do it. (Dipped in boiling oil?)
2. All tonga drivers should be girls. They come in handy with their Dhannos. (ha ha)
3. Widows should be allowed to marry again. It reduces their social status 'cause they only choose men who make them widows again. (Luckily, Radha didn't marry Jai before he died!)

I enjoyed this movie and I want to watch the new one so I can compare them!

My Debate Speech

I had given a speech in our school's Inter-House Debate. We came third (boo-hoo). It's OK, I don't mind. At least I participated! Well here goes:-

PATRIOTISM IS OLD- FASHIONED IN TODAY’S INDIA

Good morning respected teachers, worthy opponents and my dear friends. Today I, Aboli Joshi of Std VII Florence would like to express my views on the topic ‘Patriotism is old- fashioned in today’s India’. I will speak for the motion.
You may ask- What is Patriotism? Patriotism means love for one’s country. Great patriots like Bhagat Singh And Mahatma Gandhi have helped us achieve freedom.
But Patriotism is gradually declining in India. Why is this so? There can be several reasons.
In my opinion, the fact that heroes do not get recognition has lead to the decline in patriotism. In and before 1947, thousands of anonymous heroes gave their lives for their nation. These people deserve, but did not get a tribute to all that they did. Many people, even now, are labouring under the delusion that if they do a good deed or help the nation, it will go unnoticed. That is why they do not wish to do anything for their country.
I feel very strongly that it is due to the selfish nature of people that patriotism has reduced. They do not want to help anybody if they do not stand to gain from it. On the contrary, if they were given money for helping their country, they would do so whole-heartedly. But sadly, as they do not gain, they do not take the pain.
In the times of the British, it was an honour to join the army. But now, due to the laziness of people and the reluctance of mothers, the army does not have sufficient recruits. This is due to a lack of patriotism.
My next argument for the motion is that in most democratic countries, freedom is taken for granted. Not only countries, but our own Gurukul is a perfect example of this. Children misuse the freedom given to them by misbehaving, disrespecting the teachers and much more. If they themselves misuse freedom, then imagine the chaos in the country! If there was patriotism then there would most definitely be less disturbances in our nation.
My final argument for the motion is that the caste system prevails in our country. A true patriot would abide by the Constitution, which states very clearly that there is no such thing as a caste. But now, even more than ever, people are practicing the caste system. If we treat each individual as a person and not as a member of a caste, then it would most definitely make our India a balanced, peaceful and harmonius country. This, in my opinion, is the true meaning of patriotism.
My examples show that the word patriotism is old-fashioned in today’s India. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to express my views.

Book Review- Bartimaeus Trilogy

This is a trilogy of three books. The author is Jonathan Stroud. The books are set in modern-day London controlled by magicians. The three books are:

1. The Amulet of Samarkand
2. The Golem's Eye
3. Ptolemy's Gate

THE AMULET OF SAMARKAND

The main characters in this book are:

• Nathaniel
• Mr Underwood
• Mrs Underwood
• Bartimaeus
• Simon Lovelace
• Faquarl
• Jabor
• Jessica Whitwell
• Rupert Devereaux

The story revolves around a boy called Nathaniel who summons a djinni called Bartimaeus to steal a protective Amulet from Simon Lovelace. The story kickstarts and they go on a journey of magic, hate and betrayal. My favourite character is Bartimaeus because

• He is hard-working
• I can relate to him when he is forced to work against his will.
• He faces dangers which not many people could face.
• He is witty and humorous.
• He has lived for 5,000 years.

THE GOLEM'S EYE

The events in this book take place when Nathaniel (now known as John Mandrake) is climbing his way through the government. To save his job, he has to stop the attacks of the Resistance, which is a group of people fighting against the magicians' rule. Before he can start the investigations, another series of attacks begin. Yet, they are nothing like the usual attacks by the Resistance. He is now charged with finding out about these. To do this, he is forced to summon Bartimaeus once again.

In this book, the author gives us an insight on the movements of Kitty and her team as well, hence making it different from the first book. I admire the character of Kitty because:

• She is ready to give her life for the 'cause'.
• She has resistance to magic.
• She is very hard-working.

PTOLEMY'S GATE

This is the last book in an epic series. The book is all about how Nathaniel uncovers and defeats a criminal who is destroying the city government. It is beautifully written with touches of humour. The only downside of this book is that to understand it, you should have read the first two books as well. I have truly enjoyed reading this book.

I would recommend this series to people who regularly read modern classics in fiction such as the Harry Potter Series, The Inheritance trilogy and so on. The book needs the reader to have a strong imagination. Be sure to have three whole days on hand (more if you are a slow reader) because once you start reading this book, you won't want to put it down till you're finished. I give it full five stars.

Another poem that I've written

OK, so I've written another poem which I gave to my teacher on the last day of school. Here it is.

TO MY FAVOURITE TEACHER

The seventh grade has been a memorable year,
These tables, chairs, even the board have become near.
But the saddest parting today by far,
Is with the one whose memory no one can mar.

My favourite teacher on this earth,
Diamonds are much lesser than her worth,
She taught me how to multiply and divide,
In the fifth grade when I left her, I still remember how I cried.

And it seems that tears must once more be shed,
By me as I'm leaving the person who led.
She was always there for me when she was needed,
When I wanted help to solve my problems, she always heeded.

My second mother, who was always there for me,
She did so much for all of us that we didn't see.
And now the time has come for us to part,
Just remember, you'll always have a place in my heart.

Saigeetha Aunty, I'll miss you!
I hope that you'll remember me too.

With love from your very own
ABOLI