Story Prism

The Alphabet Escapades of Letter J’s story is about letter J’s first visit to a carnival and having fun.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/alphabet-escapades-letter-j

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

In the city of Jaipur, India, every year there was a winter carnival in the month of January. Every year, come January, and all the children would be very excited about the carnival and even the adults were excited about it.

Everybody used to wait eagerly for the carnival day. This year it was on 15th January.

Since January is a winter month in northern India, everyone wore colourful jackets to stay warm and walked towards the carnival. People young and old, girls and boys thronged the carnival from all directions.

This year, letter J also went to the carnival. It was his very first carnival

The theme for the carnival was “Jovial Jokers”.

In the middle of the carnival ground was a big slide in the shape of the letter ‘J’. Letter J thought that the slide was really cool, shaped just like him.

People were enjoying the games and eating scrumptious snacks from the stalls all around. Suddenly, they heard a loud sound from the sky.

All eyes were towards the sky. Finally, some people yelled out, “Look at the small jet zooming above us !"

Letter J got a little scared of that loud sound. He hid behind a popcorn cart.

Everyone was confused as to why a jet would hover over the carnival. 

Lo and behold! They all saw many jokers jumping from the jet using parachutes.

The audience was spellbound and gave a big round of applause.

Letter J gathered courage and joined the crowd.

The jokers who jumped were indeed very funny. Some went around on their unicycle, throwing and catching their hats and balls. While others were falling off the unicycles and climbing right back. Still, some others gave a ride to the children on their bicycles. Everybody had a hearty laugh looking at them.

A little later, people heard the roar of the engine yet again. They looked towards the sky. It was the jet again.

But this time the jokers didn’t jump, it was the jugglers. The crowd rushed and circled the jugglers.

And so did letter J

A juggler took three balls and juggled them. The kids were delighted. Then he took out two more and added them to his act.

The most fun part was when the jugglers taught the children how to juggle.

There were giggles and laughter all around. Children were the ones having the most fun.

People heard the roar of the engine for the third time, but it didn’t come from the sky this time. It was a jeep, a jungle jeep. It had pictures of jaguars and jackals pasted everywhere on the jeep. The jeep was from a jungle nearby and it was encouraging people to protect animals. Children made a queue in front of the jeep and waited patiently for their turns to get a goody bag with information on jaguars and jackals, some colouring pages, and a small packet of jellybeans. Letter J joined them too.

By now letter J was very comfortable and was thoroughly enjoying the carnival. 

Jokers were of course roaming around and making everybody laugh. Letter J saw this particular joker carrying a big jar with a jellyfish who had a jewel on her head! 

Many people gathered around him. They couldn’t believe their eyes when the jellyfish started juggling a tiny ball. It was astounding. She surely deserved that jewel.

There were a lot of food stalls too! Children were happy that they would be allowed to eat as much junk food as they wanted, but just for today.

The carnival was a big success! Everybody was in a jovial mood. Wasn’t that the theme of the carnival too! -Jovial Jokers!

Bouncing, letter J walked back home with a big smile on his face

Hello Children! I am alphabet J. I Hope you liked the story.

You know I make the sound /j/

Let’s see what all words in the story started with /j/

Which month was the carnival?

/j/ January

And the name of the city was

/j/ Jaipur

What do you wear when it is very cold?

/j/ jacket

What was hovering over the carnival?

/j/ jet

First time /j/ jokers jumped from the

/j/ jet

The second time /j/ jugglers jumped from the

/j/ jet

Then there was a

/j/ jeep from the

/j/ jungle

The /j/ jeep had posters of which two animals

/j/ jaguars

/j/ jackals

And everybody got /j/ jellybeans in their goody bags.

The most fun was the big

/j/ jar

That had a

/j/ jellyfish

With a

/j/ jewel on her head.

Indeed, the carnivals the theme was perfect

J -jovial jokers

The Mouse-deer and the farmer is a delightful trickster tale from Southeast Asia. In this story, the Mouse-deer tricks the farmer not once but twice!

Free activity sheet available at https://www.rituvaish.com/the-mouse-deer-and-the-farmer

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Mouse-deer loved to eat the fruits, roots, and shoots of the forest. But he loved something else even more.

He loved the vegetables in Farmer’s garden.

Children, what is your favourite vegetable and fruit?

One day, Mouse-deer went to the edge of the forest. He looked out at row after row of vegetables.

“Mmmm,” said Mouse-deer, “Juicy cucumbers! Yummy yams!” He started into the garden.

Snap! “Oh!”

Children, what do you think happened?

His leg was caught in a snare! Mouse-deer pulled and pulled. But he could not getaway.

“Oh, no!” he said. “The farmer will have me for dinner now!”

Then he saw the farmer coming. Mouse-deer thought fast. He lay on the ground and made his body stiff.

The farmer was very excited and bent to look at the Mouse-deer, “Well, well, well, Look what I caught. A mouse deer! Ummmm, but he looks dead.”

The farmer pushed him with his foot. Mouse-deer didn’t move.

“Maybe he’s been dead a long time,” said Farmer. “Too bad! I guess we can’t eat him.”

He pulled the Mouse-deer’s leg out of the snare. Then he tossed the Mouse-deer back into the forest.

So children, who was delighted in spite of getting tossed in the forest?

Yes! It was the mouse deer.

Mouse-deer landed with a soft plop. Then thanking his stars, he jumped up and ran. Behind him, he heard Farmer yell.

“Hey! You tricked me!”

Mouse-deer laughed. “Farmer is smart. But Mouse-deer is smarter!”

A few days passed. Mouse-deer kept thinking about all those vegetables and his mouth started watering.

So, one day, he went back to the edge of the forest.

“Mmmm,” said Mouse-deer. “Tasty gourds! Scrumptious sweet potatoes!”

Then he saw something new. It looked like a man. But its head was coconut, and its body was rubber.

Children, what do you think it was?

“A scarecrow!” said Mouse-deer. “That silly Farmer. Does he think he can scare me with that? I’ll show him how scared I am!”

Mouse-deer marched up to the scarecrow. He gave it a big kick.

Oh no! His leg stuck to the scarecrow. The scarecrow was covered with sticky sap from a rubber tree!

“Let me go!” said Mouse-deer. He pulled and he pulled. Then he pushed with his other front leg.

Oops! That leg got stuck too.

“Turn me loose!” He pulled and he pulled. Then he pushed with his two hind legs.

They stuck too.       

“PUT ME DOWN!” He pulled and he pushed and he pulled and he pushed. But Mouse-deer was trapped.

Then he saw Farmer. Mouse-deer thought fast. But he didn’t have any ideas!

Children, please suggest something to the Mouse-deer.

Let’s listen ahead to find out what happened.

“Well, well,” said the farmer. “How nice of you to come back.”

He pulled Mouse-deer off the scarecrow and carried him to the house. He put him outside in an empty chicken coop.

“I’ll keep you here tonight,” said the farmer, “And tomorrow you’ll be our dinner.”

All that night, the Mouse-deer couldn’t sleep. He didn’t want to be the farmer’s dinner! He kept thinking about how to save himself, but he couldn’t think of any ideas.

When the sun rose, Mouse-deer just lay there sadly.

Then he heard something. “Why, it’s Mouse-deer! So Farmer caught you at last. It serves you right!”

It was Farmer’s dog. Mouse-deer thought fast.

“What do you mean, Dog? Farmer didn’t catch me.”

“Then why are you in the coop?” said the Dog.

“Because there aren’t enough beds in the house. You see, Farmer is holding a feast tomorrow. And I’m the guest of honour.”

“Guest of honour?” said Dog. “That’s not fair! I’ve been his loyal friend for years, and you’re just a thief. The guest of honour should be me!” demanded the dog.

“You know, Dog, you’re right. Why don’t you take my place? When Farmer sees you in here, he’ll make you the guest of honour instead.”

Children, do you think the dog will agree?

“Really?” said Dog. “You don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” said Mouse-deer. “You deserve it.”

“Mouse-deer, you’re not so bad after all. Thank you!” Dog lifted the latch and opened the door.

“You’re welcome, Dog. Enjoy the feast.”

Mouse-deer ran for the forest. Then he watched from the forest’s edge. He saw Farmer come out and stare at Dog. Then he heard the farmer yell.

“You silly dog! You let the mouse deer getaway!”

Mouse-deer laughed. “Farmer will have to find a different dinner now!” Then he went off singing his song.

I am quick and smart as I can be.

Try and try, but you can’t catch me.

The Mouse-deer and the tiger is a delightful trickster tale from Southeast Asia, where the Mouse-deer gets the best of one of his most ferocious enemies, the tiger.

Free activity sheet available at https://www.rituvaish.com/the-mouse-deer-and-the-tiger

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

I am quick and smart as I can be.

Try and try, but you can’t catch me.

Children, can you guess who that is?

It was the mouse-deer. A mouse-deer is neither a mouse nor a deer and mostly found in South and Southeast Asia.

I am quick and smart as I can be.

Try and try, but you can’t catch me.

Mouse-deer sang his song as he walked through the forest. He was looking for tasty fruits and roots and shoots.

Though he was small, he was not afraid.

Children, what are you afraid of?

So the mouse-deer was fearless. He knew that many big animals wanted to eat him. But first, they had to catch him!

Then he heard something. Rowr!

There was Tiger!

“Hello, Mouse-deer. I was just getting hungry. Now you can be my lunch.”

Certainly, the Mouse-deer didn’t want to be the lunch. He looked around and thought fast. He saw a mud puddle.

Children, can you guess what he will do?

Listen ahead.

“I’m sorry, Tiger. I can’t be your lunch. The King has ordered me to guard his pudding.”

“His pudding?” said Tiger.

“Yes. There it is.” Mouse-deer pointed to the mud puddle. “It has the best taste in the world.”

Tiger looked longingly at the puddle. “I would like to taste the King’s pudding.”

“Oh, no, Tiger! The King would be very angry.”

“Just one little taste, Mouse-deer! The King will never know.”

“Well, all right, Tiger. But first let me run far away, so no one will blame me.”

“All right, Mouse-deer, you can go now.”

Mouse-deer ran quickly out of sight, tricking the tiger. A real trickster indeed.

“Imagine!” said Tiger. “The King’s pudding!” He took a big mouthful.

Phooey! He spit it out.

“Yuck! Ugh! Bleck! That’s no pudding. That’s mud!”

Tiger ran through the forest. Rowr! He caught up with Mouse-deer.

“Mouse-deer, you tricked me once. But now you will be my lunch!”

Mouse-deer looked around and thought fast. He saw a wasp nest in a tree.

Children, can you think of a way that the trickster Mouse-deer would use the wasp nest to trick the tiger?

“I’m sorry, Tiger. I can’t be your lunch. The King has ordered me to guard his drum.”

“His drum?” said Tiger.

“Yes. There it is.” Mouse-deer pointed to the wasp nest. “It has the best sound in the world. The King doesn’t want anyone else to hit it.”

Tiger got tempted, “I would like to hit the King’s drum.”

“Oh, no, Tiger! The King would be very angry.”

“Just one little hit, Mouse-deer! The King will never know.”

“Well, all right, Tiger. But first, let me run far away, so no one will blame me.”

“All right, Mouse-deer, you can go now.”

Mouse-deer ran quickly out of sight.

“Imagine!” said Tiger. “The King’s drum!” He reached up and hit it. Pow.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz. The wasps all flew out. They started to sting Tiger.

“Ouch! Ooch! Eech! That’s no drum. That’s a wasp nest!”

Tiger ran away. But the wasps only followed him! Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

“Ouch! Ooch!”

Tiger came to a stream. He jumped in—splish-splash!—and stayed underwater as long as he could. At last, the wasps went away.

Then Tiger jumped out. Rowr! He ran through the forest till he found Mouse-deer.

“Mouse-deer, you tricked me once. You tricked me twice. But now you will be my lunch!”

Mouse-deer looked around and thought fast. He saw a cobra!

Children, do you think the Mouse-deer will be able to think of something with the cobra to save himself? Can you please give Mouse-deer some ideas?

The giant snake was coiled asleep on the ground.

“I’m sorry, Tiger. I can’t be your lunch. The King has ordered me to guard his belt.”

“His belt?” said Tiger.

“Yes. There it is.” Mouse-deer pointed to the cobra. “It’s the best belt in the world. The King doesn’t want anyone else to wear it.”

Tiger got tempted yet again, “I would like to wear the King’s belt.”

“Oh, no Tiger! The King would be very angry.”

“Just for one moment, Mouse-deer! The King will never know.”

“Well, all right, Tiger. But first, let me run far away, so no one will blame me.”

“All right, Mouse-deer, you can go now.”

Mouse-deer ran quickly out of sight.

“Imagine!” said Tiger. “The King’s belt!” He started to wrap it around himself.

The cobra woke up. Ssssssssssssss. It didn’t wait for Tiger to finish wrapping. It wrapped itself around Tiger. Then it squeezed him and bit him.

“Ooh! Ow! Yow! That’s no belt. That’s a cobra! Help! Mouse-deer! Help!”

But Mouse-deer was far away. And as he went, he sang his song.

I am quick and smart as I can be.

Try and try, but you can’t catch me.

The alphabet Escapades of letter H is a story about Alphabet H being very lonely and then making lots of friends.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/alphabet-escapades-letter-h.

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Letter H was very lonely and bored. He did not feel happy. So, he lazily went for a stroll to a nearby lake and sat on a rock next to it. He was throwing stones in the water and watching them splash the water.

"Ouch!" came a cry.

Children, who could it be?

Let’s listen ahead.

Two eyes, a stubby nose peeped out, “You are hurting me." It was a hippo peeping out. "Sorry, I am really sorry! " shouted the scared letter H.

“Why are you throwing stones in the water?” yelled out the hippo.

“I am bored," said the letter H.

“Ummmm. We all get bored sometime or the other. But I have a solution in case you want to make new friends. That is only if you want.” Hippo waited for the Letter H’s response.

Letter H’s eyes sparkled “Yes! Please. I want to make friends. I have none!”

“It’s hen’s birthday and the horse, the hare, the honeybees and I are preparing for a big birthday surprise. We could use a little help and you could make new friends in return,” suggested hippo.

"Yes! Yes!” H hopped around.

"How can I help? How can I help, please tell me," he exclaimed.

 “We have a meeting here soon to discuss how to celebrate Hen’s birthday, so why don't you stay back?" advised hippo.

Soon, they heard the hoofs.

Children, who was approaching?

Yes, indeed it was the horse.

The horse was seen galloping down the hill and he soon reached the lake. The honeybees buzzed and reached at the same time. Next, the hare came hopping.

Letter H was super excited.

Then he saw aa Hummingbird fluttering as she flew near the pond from its home in the nearby tree.

Children, who all reached the pond?

Yes, it was the Hippo, horse, honeybees, hare, and hummingbird. And not to forget letter H.

Once they all assembled, Hippo introduced letter H, “This is letter H and he’s very lonely. So, I invited him to help out for Hen’s surprise party.”

All the others burst out singing, “The more we get together, together, together

The more we get together

The happier are we

For my friends are your friends and your friends are my friends

The more we get together, together, together

The more we get together

The happier are we!”

“Thanks a lot. Please let me know how can I be of some help?” said a happy letter H.

The hare was the first to suggest that they could all do a hopping dance for the hen.

“Hippos can't hop! "shouted hippo.

“Horses can't hop! "shouted horses.

The bees buzzed, “You both can just move gently to the music while the hare and we bees dance to the chirping music of the hummingbird! "

"We will also bring sweet honey,” suggested one of the bees.

Without wasting time, the horse and hippo started practicing their moves and believe it or not, in no time they were moving to the beats of the music. “See! when you put your heart, you can learn anything,” said the hummingbird.  

H was dancing too, hopping to the music.

He suddenly stopped and exclaimed, “I will bring party has for everybody.”

The bees held each other's hand and danced around.

H was indeed very     happy now.

The next day was hen's birthday. All the friends hid behind the rocks and hippo went underwater.

Children, why do you think everybody wan hiding?

Yes, because it was a surprise birthday party for the hen.

When they heard the clucking, they knew the hen was walking towards the pond.

They all came out from their hiding places and yelled, “Happy Birthday! Happy birthday, happy birthday dear hen. Happy Birthday, happy birthday happy birthday dear hen.”

The hen was surprised, and she was ecstatic.

Letter H gave the hats to his new friends.

Then they all danced and ate the honey.

The best was when the hen got her harp and played a nice tune on it.

H was delighted to be in the company of new friends.

The hen thanked all the friends for a delightful birthday party.      

From that day onwards letter H was never bored, as he had many friends.

Hello Children! I am letter H. Hope you liked the story.

You know I make the sound /h/

Let’s see what all words in the story started with /h/

Do you remember who came out of the water when I was throwing stones in the water?

/h/ Hippo

Whose birthday was it?

/h/ hen’s

Who all joined in planning the party?

/h/ horse

/h/ honeybees

/h/ hare

/h/ hummingbirds

The /h/ honeybees bought

/h/ honey to eat

I got /h/ hats

Then who played /h/ harp?

It was the /h/ hen.

This is an adapted folktale from Australia. It’s a legend about how the mummy kangaroo got a pouch!

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/how-the-kangaroo-got-her-pouch.

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Long ago mumma kangaroo was grooming her joey on the bank of a brook. They liked to listen to the water babble as the mama combed her baby’s fur.

As she gave a final touch to the joey’s coat, she said lovingly, “Always stay close to mumma. Whenever we go out, I get worried when you wander off.” 

Before joey cold even nod, they heard sound of weeping.

Children, who do you think is crying?

They saw an old wombat staggering toward them.

“Oh dear,” the kangaroo whispered to her baby. “This wombat is old and sick. He must have great-great-grandchildren already.”

As the wombat swung closer, she heard him say, “Useless and worthless, worthless and useless.”

“What’s the trouble, friend wombat?” she asked.

He said, startled. “Who said that?”

“I did,” said mumma kangaroo. “A kangaroo and her joey here.”

“I can’t see properly,” the wombat replied. “Nobody wants me around. Nobody thinks about me. I’m no good anymore. They’ve abandoned me, all of them.”

The mumma  kangaroo, who had a tender heart, said, “It’s not as bad as that at all. I’ll be your friend. My joey and I will show you where the tastiest grass grows.” She let the wombat hold her tail. Then, slowly, she led him over to the juiciest grass and the cleanest water. The old wombat sighed with pleasure. It made the kangaroo happy to see him feeling better.

Children, think of one way you helped someone this week.

Suddenly she remembered her joey! She had told him to stay close, but he had wandered off again. She raced back to look for him. So many times this had happened. She had gone out looking for food, and when she looked up, the little joey had wandered off. It scared her terribly.

Fortunately, she found her joey asleep under a gum tree. Not wanting to wake him from his nap, she decided to go back and check on the old wombat. Something was moving in the bush. An Aboriginal hunter, silently stalking the wombat!

Children, what do you think the  mumma kangaroo will do now?

The hunter’s boomerang was raised above his head. Its smooth edges ready to slice the air.

Children a boomerang is a curved flat piece of wood that can be thrown so that it will return to the thrower.  It was traditionally used by Australian Aboriginal people as a hunting weapon.

Well, getting on with the story.

When the kangaroo saw the hunter, she froze. She couldn’t even breathe. As you must have realized by now he kangaroo was very kind hearted, so in spite of the hunter, she wanted to protect the wombat!

The kangaroo began to stomp the branches and twigs under her feet. Thump, thump, crack, crack, she pounded the earth. The hunter turned toward her. “Run,” she screamed to the wombat, “Run, there’s a hunter.” The wombat took off crazily, not knowing where he was going. The hunter didn’t care. Now all he wanted was the mumma kangaroo!

Children do you think the hunter will catch the kangaroo? Listen ahead.

She hopped as hard and fast as she could into the bush, away, away from where she had left her joey asleep. At last she came to a cave. She was too tired to go any farther, and collapsed on the dirt floor inside. At least the hunter would have to kill her in the cool dark, not out in the open where other animals would be forced to watch.

The hunter ran past the mouth of the cave! The kangaroo breathed a sigh of relief. She stayed inside, listening for his return. She was afraid to go out.

Finally, when she saw him walk past the mouth of the cave again, his boomerang hanging from his hand. She waited until it was safe, then ran as fast as she could back to the gum tree.

Children, who was there under the gum tree?

That’s right, there was her joey, awake and ready to play. Together they went to look for the wombat, but he had gone.

What the kangaroo mother did not know was that the wombat wasn’t a wombat. He was actually the great god Byamee who had put on a disguise.

Children, In Australian Aboriginal mythology, Baiame was the creator god who created all living things.

So, Byamee had put on a disguise and  had descended from the sky world to find out which of his creatures had the kindest heart. Now he had an answer that pleased him greatly and that was the kangaroo. Byamee wanted to give her the gift that would help her most of all. So he called the sky spirits together and said, “Go down below to where the eucalyptus grow tall. Peel the long strips of the bark and make an apron.”

Children, why was Byamee, getting a bag? Put on your thinking caps.

Then Byamee added, “Give it to the kangaroo mother and explain that she must tie it around her waist.”

And so they did. At the very moment the kangaroo mother tied the apron around her waist, Byamee transformed it into soft kangaroo fur. It grew into her own flesh. Now she had a pouch in which to carry her baby joey. He could even sleep in there as she went about her daily tasks.

The kangaroo mother was very delighted with her gift. She thanked the Baymee God and the sky spirits. But because she was the kindest creature of all, she didn’t want to keep it only for herself. She thought about the other kangaroo mothers and about the kangaroo rats and all the other marsupials and requested that all her friends too get a bag like hers.

Byamee loved the kangaroo’s generous heart. So, he decided to make pouches for all the other marsupial mothers. Ever since then, their babies almost never get lost.

Have you ever seen a river? Rivers gives us water for drinking, washing, bathing, and cooking. But some people make rivers dirty. Today’s story is about letter G’s adventure with his best friend Gita who is trying to keep the river clean.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/alphabet-escapades-letter-g.

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

In a small village next to a big city, there lived a little girl named Gita with her grandmother. They had a small house, but they had a big garden where on one side grandma had a vegetable patch, and on the other side she grew grains. They even had a goat.

Gita was very fond of the goat. Every morning, as the first rays of the sun fell on the earth, she took the goat to graze in the fields.

Not only was she fond of the goat, but Gita was very fond of her guitar that her father had given, and the letter G was always hanging around with them. Letter G called Gita his best Friend.

Every day, Gita used to leave the goat to graze, in the fields, while she sat under a big tree playing her guitar that her father had given. She used to try and make new melodies. Letter G loved when Gita played the guitar.

Next to their house was the famous river Ganga. After playing the guitar for some time, Gita used to take her goat to the river's bank, sit on one of the stones, and dangle her legs in the water.

She used to hold her goat in her lap and listen to the music of the waves. Then she returned back home as the hues of orange and red and purple would cover the horizon, telling her that night would soon fall upon them and she needed to be home.

Grandma would serve her dinner and the two would talk about their day. Gita helped Grandma clear the kitchen and then it was time to go to bed. But not before she heard a story from grandma.

Grandma would wear her glasses and she would adjust them on her nose so that she could read stories to Gita from mythology, from faraway lands, and stories of adventures of people near and far till Gita’s eyelids became heavy and she dozed into dreamland.

Every day, this was her routine.

As usual, one day when she was sitting on the rocks by the riverbank dangling her legs in the water, suddenly she saw dirty plastic bags all around her legs.

She flinched, got up, and moved to another rock downstream.

The next day too she saw dirty plastic bottles around the rocks. Day by day, she realized that the whole bank was dirty with garbage and plastic. She even saw some fish strangled by getting stuck in the plastic!

She felt disgusted as the pure water that flowed was now always strewn with garbage.

One day Gita was very upset during dinner time.

“What’s wrong Gita? Is there something troubling you? Do you want to share it with me?” asked grandma.

Gita explained that how her heart broke to see the Ganga river getting polluted.

“Where is all this garbage coming from? I do not see anyone from our village throwing garbage into our river?” raising her eyebrows Gita asked.

Grandma explained, “The people of the city close by are using too much plastic, be it plastic bags, be it plastic packaging material or even water bottles. They also throw garbage in the river. All this is making Ganga dirty.”

“So, what can we do grandma?” enquired Gita inquisitively.

“We have to inform the people of the city not to throw garbage in the river, and also that plastic bags and bottles, etc. should not be thrown in the Ganga. They can be recycled,” said grandma. That night Gita knew she wanted to do something and save the river, but she didn’t know how.

The next morning, when she was strumming her guitar, she sang:

Oh, dear friends

Work hand in hand

Stop polluting the river, our friend

Oh, dear friends

Work hand in hand

It’s time to mend the river, our friend

Just then letter G exclaimed, “Why don’t we all go to the city and you sing this song that tells people to save Ganga?”

“Thanks, letter G! what a great idea!” Gita’s eyes sparkled.

She told grandmother about her decision to go to the city and spread awareness regarding the river pollution.

Grandmother patted her back.

She took her companions, her goat, guitar, and letter G to the city.

People were amused to see a girl with a guitar and a goat.

She stopped at a school and stood outside the gate and sang:

Oh, dear friends

Work hand in hand

Stop polluting the river, our friend

Oh, dear friends

Work hand in hand

It’s time to mend the river, our friend.

The teachers called her inside and Gita explained that she wanted to save the river Ganga.

The teachers were touched, and the children of the school were inspired and vowed to help her.

Letter G was delighted to see the enthusiasm in the school.

The school children decided to make posters to let people understand why they should not throw garbage in the river and not use plastic.

“Thank you for joining me, I’ll come back in a couple of days and we can spread awareness in other schools too,” excitedly Gita said.

Gita had a smile from ear to ear. She happily skipped her way home with her goat, the guitar, and of course letter G.

After a few days, Gita was back with her companions. She straight went to the school where children were all ready with their eye-catching posters.

Some of the posters read:

To be fantastic, don't litter with plastic

Go green. Say no to plastic.

Say no to plastic. Save the earth

They all went to other schools, making them aware of the danger that the Ganga river was in. It was a chain reaction and very soon people of the city became more and more aware of using less plastic. And of course, not throwing garbage in Ganga.

Gita was the talk of the town.

In fact, the city mayor gave her an award and asked what gift she would like to have.

She told them that she needed them to help her clean the banks of Ganga.

Students burst out in joy, “We will all help you! We will all help you!”

They went in large numbers to the bank of the river and cleaned all the garbage there.

Gita was very glad and so was near the river.

Hello Children! I am alphabet G. I Hope you liked the story.

You know I make the sound /g/

Let’s see what all words in the story started with /g/

My friend’s name was

/g/ Geeta

She stayed with her /g/ grandmother and her

/g/ goat

Grandmother grew

/g/ grains

Gita loved to play on her

/g/ guitar

When Gita played the guitar

The goat went to

/g/ graze

Which river flowed near their house?

/g/ Ganga

What did grandma wear as she read to Gita

/g/ glasses

What were city people throwing in the river

/g/ garbage

The Grandfather Stone is a legend from Native Americans who originally lived in what’s now known as New York state. It’s a story about how people started the art of storytelling.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/the-grandfather-stone.

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Once upon a time there was no “once upon a time.” That was because the people had no stories to tell. They didn’t even know what a “story” was! And that made the winters long and boring for people who were cooped up inside with little to do.

Children, imagine you are stuck inside homes, how would you keep yourself entertained?

In one village, a boy lived with his grandmother. As the spring arrived, , he took his spear to catch fish in the river. By the time the sun set each evening, the boy’s basket was always overflowing with plump, glistening bass and trout!

One year, on the first day of spring, when the blankets of snow melted away and colorful flowers sprang from the earth, the boy ran to the river. He waded into the water, his spear poised above his shoulder.

The little boy called out to the fish in the river, “I see you, little fish. Right there, little fish!”

But every time he plunged his spear into the crystal-clear river, the slippery fish would zig-zag away and disappear downstream.

The boy was disappointed.

By the time the sun went down, the boy’s basket had only two fish in it.

Sadly he thought to himself, “ Oh, no! I’ve never caught so few fish before! Grandmother’s depending on me for dinner. This is going to be one meagre meal.”

Not wanting to face his grandmother, the boy decided to meander home a different way. He entered the dark forest, and took a left turn where he usually took a right.

Children, what do you think will happen now?

Listen ahead..

Soon, he approached a shadowy clearing. As he stepped inside, he heard a deep, rumbling voice call out, “ Young man, would you like to hear a story?”

The boy was aghast, “Who’s there? Who said that? And what is a story?

He heard the deep voice again, “A “story” tells about the things that happened before this time. It tells how things came to be, and why things came to be. So, I ask you again: would you like to hear a story?”

Children, if the voice asked you , “Which story would you like to listen? “ What would you say?

Now, you remember the boy was in no hurry to go back home. Besides, he was also curious.

He requested the deep voice, “Yes, please! I would love to hear a “story”! But first, who are you? And where are you? I don’t see anyone here!”

Just then, a gleaming, white ray of the moon passed through the trees, and lit up the stone in the middle of the clearing. Suddenly, the boy realized where the voice was coming from: the stone!

The stone introduced himself, “ I am Grandfather Stone. I have been here since time began, so I have many stories to tell. But first, storytellers should always receive something for their stories, a gift, in exchange for their gift. Have you something to give me?”

All that the boy had with him were the two fish he’d caught that day. He reached into his basket, pulled out the larger fish, and placed it on top of the stone and asked, “Will this do?”

Grandfather stone said, “ It will do. Thank you. Now, come sit. And I will tell you a story.”

The boy settled down on the ground and leaned back against the cool, smooth stone. He closed his eyes as the stone began the story.

The Grandfather Stone told a story about how long ago, when animals could talk, the proudest and most boastful creature was the bear. The burly beast was always bragging about his most prized possession: a long, glossy, furry tail.

One winter, a clever fox decided he’d teach the cocky bear a lesson. Fox told Bear that if he stuck his tail through the ice on the river, the next day he would catch a bounty of fish!

FISH! Hearing the word fish, the bear’s mouth started watering. He decided to stick his tail in the ice!

Children, can you guess what will happen next?

Well, come morning, guess whose tail was frozen beneath the ice?! Bear tried to yank it out, but it stayed behind in the ice, and ever since then, bears have had short tails.

By the time the story ended, the boy was grinning from ear to ear.

“Wow! This was the most extraordinary thing I have ever heard, thank you I wish you could tell me one more story, but I only have one fish left. And that’s dinner for grandmother and me. It’s also getting late and I have to run back home! “

“No problem, you can come back tomorrow,” said the grandfather stone.

The little boy rushed back home. When he reached home the Grandmother looked at the little boy and then the basket and said sadly,

“I have been worried sick,

For you didn’t see the time tick.

What! One fish?”

“Umm, grandmother…,” stammered the boy, when grandmother interrupted,

“Shh.. it’s my wish

For you to get more fish

Tomorrow.”

“Surely, surely,” and he went to bed imagining the story that the Grandfather stone told.

The next day it was the same. The little boy took his spear, tried and tried, but he managed to get only two fish yet again!

He went straight to the clearing and placing a fish requested for another story from the Grandfather Stone.

Again, the boy relaxed on the ground, his eyes closed, his head resting against the stone’s cool, smooth surface. Grandfather stone gladly told him yet another story.

After the story ended, the little boy expressed, “ Oh, Grandfather Stone! These stories are the best! I wish you could tell me more, but I only have one fish left.”

The grandfather stone comforted, “Not to worry, young man. Come back tomorrow, and I will tell you another story.

That brought a smile on the little boy’s face and happily he went back home.

 When he reached home the Grandmother looked at the little boy and then the basket and with a tear rolling down her cheek she said,

“I have been worried sick

For you didn’t see the time tick.

What ! One fish?”

“Umm, grandmother…mother,” stammered the boy, well,

I got two fish but one I exchanged for a gift!”

Grandmother’s eye brightened, “ Gift ?” Looking into the basket she said, “ Where is it?

“Well! It’s a gift that you hear, “ the little boy said wiping the tear off grandmother’s wrinkly face and explained everything.

 “I want to meet your grandfather stone too and listen to what you call stories.”

Children, do you think the little boy would take the grandmother?

Let’s find out.

The boy asked Grandmother to take a basket, and fill it with the slices of fresh cornbread.

With the basket of cornbread slung over one arm, the boy led Grandmother to the clearing in the forest. In the middle, stood Grandfather Stone, his smooth, cool surface dappled by moonlight through the trees.

They both heard the deep voice, “ Young man. You’re back already! And you’ve brought a companion! Welcome!

Grandmother was so astonished that , uh, um, the was all that she could say.

Grandmother watched as the boy emptied the basket of cornbread onto the stone.

With sparkling , curious eyes the boy said, “We would like to hear many stories.”

The grandfather stone said, “Thank you! Now, I will tell you some stories.”

The boy helped Grandmother onto the ground. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave a loving squeeze as Grandfather Stone began.

The stone told stories about foolish people and clever animals, stories about clever people and foolish animals, stories about how chipmunks got their stripes, how porcupines got their quilts and how we got the four seasons.

Hours went by. Morning came and the moon gave way to the rays of the sun, and the boy and Grandmother were wide awake, wrapped up in Grandfather Stone’s stories

At last, the stone paused.

The grandfather said, “From here on out, stories won’t be kept inside smooth, cold stones like me. They’ll be carried by warm-blooded people like you! Pass these stories on to your children... and your grandchildren,  then have them pass these stories on to their children and grandchildren. Keep these stories going for as long as the world keeps going. Now my friend, it’s your turn.”

Then the stone fell silent and never spoke again.

The boy and his grandmother listened to the stone’s final words. They returned to the village, and recounted the stories as they had heard… sharing them with everyone, young and old... again and again and again.

To show their thanks, the villagers offered gifts of food and clothing. But the way the boy and Grandmother saw it, being able to pass Grandfather Stone’s magnificent, splendid  stories on to others was gift enough.

And when spring turned to summer, and summer turned to fall, and fall turned to winter, and the temperatures and the snow began to drop, no one worried about suffering through a long, drawn-out season. They had their stories to entertain them and keep them warm.

And today… the whole world does, too.

The Beaver’s Sacrifice is a story about a little Beaver’s sacrifice to save his community.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/originals-the-beavers-sacrifice.

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

“Ouch!” screamed little Chewy, the beaver, as a log fell on his tail.

“Are you alright?” called out mummy, rushing toward Chewy. “My tail hurts but luckily the log didn't fall on my head!” little Chewy said, trying to smile.

“Don't worry,” said mummy patting his head, “You'll be fine soon.”

Over the next few days, Chewy just hung around at the bank of the river while all the beavers were busy building the dam before the river froze for the winter.

Children, a dam is like a barrier built to hold water forming a reservoir

Have you heard of a river dam before? How big do you think it is?

Well, It’s even taller than your parents!

Listen to the story

In a couple of weeks, the tail healed and little Chewy decided to help out in making the dam.

Excitedly, little Chewy nibbled a tree trunk and carefully carried it to the river.

Plonk! He jumped and moved to the centre of the river where other beavers were setting the logs and claying them to build a strong dam.

But little Chewy could not manoeuvre himself in the river. He started wondering what was wrong and why he was not able to move his tail according to his wishes.

Children, why do you think he couldn’t move himself?

You’ll soon find out.

Suddenly, there was a gush of water and little Chewy was carried away by the currents.

“Help! Help!” he screamed.

All the beavers stopped and, realizing what was happening, rushed towards little Chewy.

Luckily there was a flat area where the flow of the water was not strong.

The beavers circled him and helped him ashore.

“Looks like the tail is damaged!” whispered a cousin.

Mummy, comforting little Chewy, expressed, “Looks like your tail is damaged and so you must not go to the middle of the river.”

“But how will I help in building the dam?” retorted little Chewy.

“You may cut the logs and pass them to us. That's an important job too,” Mummy suggested.

Little Chewy was sad, but agreed.

Every day, little Chewy helped a little but most of the time he just hung around by the side of the river.

One day, as he was sawing on a tree to cut it for the dam, he stopped halfway and saw that the log resembled his mother’s face.

He was elated and he sculpted it for a few more days.

Little Chewy carved out the details so that it resembled his mother.

Everyone admired his piece of art and that support encouraged him to keep carving things out of logs.

What kind of things do you think Chewy carved?

Well, days slipped by and he made trees, squirrels, birds, etc. from the logs of wood.

Everyone was in awe of his sculpturing skills.

One day, he saw a huge tree with a big tree trunk and decided to make his family sculpture: mom, dad, his two siblings and himself. He meticulously started carving, engrossed in it day and night.

The winters were fast approaching and the beaver community was frantically rushing to build the dam.

Far in one corner, Little Chewy was painstakingly working day and night to give the final touches to his family sculpture.

One day he overheard his uncles discussing with his father, “Winter is here early. We have already had the first snowfall. The water in the river will freeze much before its time and we haven't finished the dam yet.”

“That is indeed true, let us put in all our energies into completing the dam,” the father urged the whole community.

Children, can you name the season that comes right before winter? That’s right, it’s the Fall season ! The leaves fall from the tree and then winter comes in with cooler temperatures.

As luck would have it, that night there was more snow and the temperature dipped further.

The next morning everyone worked felling trees, carrying them to the river, and placing them in the dam in the right position.

It felt like the beavers and the weather were having a race.

Children, would the beavers complete the dam or would the weather freeze the river first?

Finally, only the last piece was left to be fixed, but the beavers were exhausted. They couldn’t move at all.

The only beaver with any strength left was Chewy. He turned to the river and his family, noticing that they were exhausted, and looked around for a tree to fix the last piece. Alas, there was none.

What would you do if you were Chewy and couldn’t find any more pieces left to make the dam?

Let’s see what happens in the story.

Finally, he gazed as his beautiful family structure, noticing all of the intricacies he had spent so much time detailing. He picked it up and carried it carefully to the river. Then he requested, “Please put this as the last piece in the dam for we do not have much time left.”

“But this is so pretty and you been working so hard at it,” his cousins said.

Little Chewy insisted, “We cannot lose time as the top layer of the river has already frozen. You all saved my life. If it wasn't for you all I wouldn’t have been alive today. So, this is just a token of appreciation, please accept it.”

That sculpture became the final piece in the dam.

“Hurray! Thanks Little Chewy for sacrificing your sculpture,” shouted all the beavers. “We’ll all be safe this winter!”

Now the community was safe. The lake formed by the dam was deep and the water didn't freeze, saving the beaver community and their nest.

This story is adapted from an Australian folktale. It’s about a joey who is very curious about why only he can do a certain thing and his friends can’t.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/why-do-kangaroos-hop.

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

“Mama, why do kangaroo's hop? Why don't we run, or walk, or slide on our bellies?” Kip, the joey bounced his tail up and down on the red dirt.

“We're kangaroos. That's what we do. We leap through the air. I've never heard of a kangaroo running, or walking, or sliding on their bellies,” Mama said busy cleaning the house.

Children, can you think of an animal who slides on his belly?

That’s correct- snakes slide on their bellies.

Kip hopped off. “I'm going to the billabong, Mama.”

Children Billabong is an Australian name for an isolated pond left behind after a river changes its course.

So, Kip was going to the Billabong and waving to mother said, “I want to play with my friends.”

Mummy Kangaroo waved back lovingly.

When he was approaching the pond, he saw his friend Kimmy Koala,

Now Koalas are marsupials, can be thought of as pouched mammals. They carry their babies in a pouch and that are native to Australia.

Getting back to the story.

Kip was inquisitive and asked Kimmy Koala, “Kimmy, do you hop?”

The Koala pulled a eucalyptus leaf out of her mouth. “I don't hop. I don't even run. I climb trees and sit here eating these delicious eucalyptus leaves. But why do you ask?”    

Kip, the joey, pondering about the Koala’s answer said, “Just checking. I am curious which of my friends hop. I’ll check with Cedric, the crocodile. CU later.”

Kip saw his friend Cedric Crocodile swimming in the water. “Cedric, do you hop?” shouted Kip.  

Children, would you ever go near a crocodile? 

Indeed you should never go near a crocodile. Always stay away from them.

The crocodile swam up to the side of the billabong. “Of course not. I swim. I can walk, but I don't run, and I do not hop either.”

“Why not?” asked Kip.

“Because that's the way we crocodiles are. We swim and eat fish.”

“Ok Cedric, I’ll see you later. Want to check with Danny, the dingo if he hops,” and off Kip went to meet Danny, the dingo while Cedric slid back under the water.

Kim met Danny Dingo at the far edge of the billabong ready to have a drink.

Children, A Dingo is a big Australian dog. It is almost like a fox.

“Hi Danny, I wanted to ask you something,” Kip looked at his friend.

Danny looked at Kip and nodded.

So children, what do you think Danny Dingo told Kip?

Yes, indeed Kip asked Danny, “Do you hop?”

Danny Dingo barked, “Ruff- ruff! No! You know I run, and I walk. I can even swim if I have to. But certainly, I can't fly and I don't hop.”

“Oh. Why not?” added Kip confused.

“Because that's the way dingos’ are. See you later as right now my family is waiting for me,” Danny ran off.

Kip waved bye and moved along the edge of the Billabong.

He looked at his reflection in the water and wondered, “Why none of my friends hop?”

So, children, what do you think will Kip do now?

Let’s listen ahead.

Just then he heard the enchanting singing of the Kookaburra.

Children Kookaburra is a bird that is also native to Australia.

He turned and saw his friend, Kara Kookaburra. Then he quickly asked, worried that she might fly off, “Hi Kara. Do you hop?”

The bird laughed her head off. “Of course, I don't. I could, I suppose, but mostly I fly. I'm a kookaburra and that's what I do.”

She flew off, heading for the sandstone rock in the distance.

So, what do you think Kara Kookaburra did on the sandstone rock?

Kip thought about all his friends and talking to himself said, “ I see, None of them hop. That means only kangaroos can hop.” Suddenly, his eyes sparkled, and he repeated, “None of my friends can hop, that means only us Kangaroos can hop. That's super cool.”

 He jumped as high as he could. “Look! How high I jumped. None of my friends can do that. I'm special.” He pushed with his legs and hopped all the way home. “Mama, I can hop. Dingos’ can't hop. Crocodiles can't hop; neither can koalas and kookaburras.”

“That's right, Kip. Are you happy about that now?” His mama smiled at him. “I’m happy that I'm a kangaroo and can hop all over the place. I can hop as high as I want. I'm glad.” Kip spent the rest of the day hopping about the bush, enjoying being a simple kangaroo.

Birthdays are always special for all of us. It’s a day that is fun filled and exciting. Today’s story is about letter F and how he celebrated his birthday.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/alphabet-escapades-letter-f.

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

It was the fifth of February and was letter F's birthday. He was turning five. F was super excited about turning 5. He woke up early in the morning and his parents wished him and gave a big hug. His father gave him a gift.

As letter F excitedly unwrapped it, he saw that it was a book on friends.

“Thanks, can I start reading it?” letter F enquired.

Mummy added, “It’s time for breakfast, you may read it later.”

Just then, letter F’s elder sister walked towards his room with a bouquet of flowers and said, “Happy birthday!”

Accepting the flowers, he said, “Thanks. These have such lovely fragrance!”

For breakfast, he had his favourite, french fries and fruits.

“I love French fries! Can I have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner too?”

Everyone smiled.

After breakfast, father brought a big cardboard box and opening it said, “Let’s start decorating the living room for the party this evening.”

Father opened the box and there were colourful balloons, buntings, and other birthday decorations.

“This is so exciting! I love birthdays,” “said Letter F with a twinkle in his eyes.

Soon everyone was busy, blowing the balloons, hanging them and also buntings.

Mother, who had been in the kitchen walked into the dining room and exclaimed, “Wow! The living room is looking beautiful. I have made a cake in the shape of a fish.”

Letter F rushing bubbling like a fizzy drink darted towards the kitchen.

Looking at the cake, he marvelled, “This looks like a real fish and it has fins too! Thanks mummy dear!”

Later in the evening everyone got ready and letter F wore his new Fireman’s outfit.

Soon, letter F's friends started coming for the party. First one to arrive was Fatima, who brought him a nice big family board game. She gave it to him and wished him a happy birthday.

The next was Fred who said, “Happy birthday letter F, I got you a flute as you as you love music.”

“Thanks, that’s sweet of you. I’ll enjoy playing it for sure,” said letter F.

After Fred was Falak who came in. She was finding it difficult to balance the big gift and walk simultaneously. She wished F and gave him a gift, “This has 'Foam Blocks' to play with. I love blocks. Thanks Falak. Please come in!” said letter F delightfully.

Many more friends soon joined in.

First, they played indoor party games like pinning the donkey’s tail, passing the parcel, etc.

Then the friends moved to the garden and had fun playing football. Soon it was time to cut the cake.

As letter F blew the five candles and cut the fish cake, all his friends sang, “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!”

Everybody was so happy. The friends and letter F were famished after all the playing.

Mummy served all kinds of finger foods! Everything from noodles, fish fingers, cutlets, chips, to doughnuts was delicious. But letter F’s focus was on his favourite food, the French Fries.

After enjoying all the delicious finger foods, the friends were ready to leave. F had a lot of fun with his friends and thanked them all for coming with a return gift. Overjoyed, all the friends went back home.

Letter F thanked his family, for a great birthday party. Now it was time for him to go to bed. Letter F brushed his teeth and changed into his night suit and went to bed. As he lay thinking about his birthday, he saw fireflies dancing outside his bedroom window, which looked as if they were wishing him too. Soon F was fast asleep.

Hello Children! I am alphabet F. Hope you liked the story.

You know I make the sound /f/

The /f/ sound is made when your lower teeth lightly touch your upper lips and a stream of air is gently pushed through the opening.

Or you could even make the sound of air escaping through a balloon. /f/ Isn’t it?

Let’s see what all words in the story started with /f/

Do you remember when my birthday is?

It’s on fifth of February.

/f/ - Fifth

/f/ - February

/f/ - Father

/f/ - Flowers whose

/f/ - Fragrance was very nice

The cake was in the shape of

/f/ - fish that had

/f/ - fins too

I wore the outfit of a

/f/ - firefighter

The gifts I got were

/f/ - A book on /f/ friends

/f/ - family board game

/f/ - flute

/f/ - foam blocks

Then my friends and I were

/f/ - famished

We enjoyed having

/f/ - finger foods

My friends were

/f/ Fred

/f/ Falak

/f/ Fatima

At night who danced and wished me?

/f/ - fireflies