34 • MODULE SIX: COPING WITH EMOTIONS
Part Four
Ashok, his sister and his mother together made the Memory Box. These were happy times because
they felt so close to each other. Ashok began to take part in the activities of the youth group at the
center. He learned that there were many children like him, and he wanted to learn how to help
them. His friend Vinod would come to help his sister with her homework and he too joined the youth
group. They talked to the neighbors and the other children and soon people would drop by to ask
how his mother was or send some food. The priest from the temple came and would read from the
Gita. The day his mother died, she was at peace and happy that she had done the best for her
children. Ashok often felt sad remembering his parents but he also remembered the good times
and knew he had a lot to do for himself and his sister. He felt strong and with the love of his family,
friends and community knew he could make it.Review- What were the feelings of the family members?
- How did Ashok feel after the death of his mother?
- How did the friends and community help?
- Why do you think this change took place?
- What message would you like to send to Ashok and his sister?
Linking Learning With Life
How can the children help people like Ashok and his family? If they know someone, they can make
a plan with the facilitator. They could read with the child, help with homework, play, sing songs
together or just sit by a sick child. Encourage the children to come up with their own plans, which
should be simple. Help the children follow them.Adaptation
For Younger Children:
The concept of a story to discuss death and dying and change is used but the story is symbolic, by
weaving a story around nature, about trees and animals. If possible, the facilitator can make
pictures or use a poster to illustrate the story.The Story
Once upon a time Chintu Chimni, the little sparrow, lived in a big banyan tree. Her mother and father had
laid a nest there and when she had opened her eyes for the first time in her life the tree was the first
thing she had seen. She loved to go up and down the branches and perch on the leaves. Many of her
friends came to visit her in the tree, the butterflies, the bees and other little birds like her. As she grew up
she went to spend some time with her grandparents who lived in the neem tree across the field. Her
mother and father were out for a whole day looking for food for the family and they wanted Chintu
Chimni to be safe. But every morning, she would fly to the banyan tree to say hello. One day she found
the banyan tree drooping and the leaves were looking brown. She went and flew from branch to branch
asking the tree what was wrong. The banyan tree said that it was feeling very weak and tired.