By Muhammad Haseeb Sikandar

The Moon is a well-known big bright object in space, which appears at night. Sometimes we can also see it in the daylight; but when the weather is cloudy, it becomes invisible. It gives us natural, soft and soothing moonlight, which is actually not its own light but is borrowed from the Sun. When the sun shines, its light brightens the moon and we can see it shining. When the earth comes between the moon and the sun, during its orbiter movement, the moon becomes dark for a while and the ‘Lunar Eclipse’ takes place.

People who love the moon are called ‘Selenophile’. It is said that these people carry a sensitive, beautiful and loving nature. Besides Selenophiles, almost all people love to see the moon, especially during the nights of the full moon (i.e. from the 12th to the 16th night of the moon’s journey.)

‘International Moon Day’ is celebrated on the 20th of July every year. This International day celebrates the historic lunar landing on July 20, 1969, by Neil Armstrong and his team.

The United States’ mission ‘Apollo 11’ was the first crewed mission from Earth to the moon, which touched the surface of the moon on this day 53 years ago. There were 6 crewed U.S. landings between the years 1969 and 1972 and numerous landings having no crew, with no soft landings till 2017. ‘Apollo 11’, led by ‘Neil Armstrong’, accompanied by ‘Buzz Aldrin’ and ‘Michael Collins’ blasted off on July 16, 1969, which successfully landed after 4 days of its’ flight, i.e. July 20 and stayed on the moon’s surface for less than 24 hours (21 hours, 36 minutes) and returned home on July 24, 1969. The total flight duration of ‘Apollo 11’ from Earth to the moon and back to earth was 8 days, 3 hours, and 18 minutes.

Different people from various nations, speaking multiple languages, know Mr. Moon with its different names. It is called ‘Moon’ in English, ‘Qamar’ in Arabic, ‘Chandra’ and ‘Maas’ in Hindi, ‘Maah’ in Persian, ‘Mond’ in German, ‘Luna’ in Latin, ‘Maan’ in African Language, ‘Messe’ in Japanese, ‘Ay’ in Turkish and many more various names in different languages.

The moon’s average distance from the earth is 2 Lac, 38 thousand 8 hundred 65 miles, and the moonlight takes approximately 1.26 seconds to reach Earth’s surface. This means it is 1.26 light minutes away from the earth and the moon, which we see from earth is 1 minute and 26 seconds older. The moon is about one 4th of the earth’s size (diameter). It is exactly 27% of the earth’s thickness.

Please don’t forget that there are 214 moons (155 confirmed moons) in our solar system, orbiting the planets, which are also called ‘Natural Satellites’. In this count, earth owns the one and only, Mars has 2, Jupiter has 79 (53 confirmed), Saturn has 82 (53 confirmed), Uranus has 27, Neptune has 14, and Pluto has 5 moons; whereas Mercury and Venus possess no moons and these both are ‘Moon-less.’

Happy ‘International Moon Day’ to mankind, because it celebrates a great achievement of humanity.

_________________

Muhammad Haseeb Sikandar is an adolescent writer aged 13, and this is his debut write-up. He is a student of class 8 at ‘Sindhiana Bright Beginnings High School’ in Hyderabad, Sindh. ‘Sindh Courier’ welcomes this young writer and wishes him success in his writing journey.

The post 20th July: International Moon Day first appeared on Sindh Courier.

We will save our mother…

We will protect our home…

We will let the Earth live…

 Earth’s Complaint and Our Promise

By Eliya Hassan (Eliya Yasir)

Venus… while running in his orbit, taps the earth and asks:

“Are you okay?”

Earth (in a sad tone): “Yes…”

Venus: “No… You don’t look well.”

Earth remains silent and gloomy…

The Moon appears suddenly, from the earth’s horizon…

With his silver light…

And talks on behalf of her earth:

“She is sad… Because she is being spoilt by its people….

People are spreading garbage over her and ruining her…”

Venus replies to the Moon: “Why don’t folks living there take care of her?”

The Moon looks to the earth, and speaks out loudly, with his moonlight:

“Hey… Anyone there?”

Elia, on the earth… is already Googling: “Who is my mother?”

And getting Google’s reply: “The Earth is your mother…”

Replies the moon… “Yes, my dear Moon! We are here to listen to you…

How can we help you? I’m here with my group of friends…”

Moon says: “I want you all to save the Earth… your home…”

From the other side, Mars joins the talk:

“Elia, what can you and your friends do to save your home?”

Eliya: “We will plant trees…”

Sara: “We can stop the use of shopping bags…”

Hassan: “We can try to save water…”

Hira: “We will use Solar Energy at maximum…”

Ali: “We can use silencers in the vehicles to stop the noise pollution…”

Venus adds: “You can also tune your vehicles to reduce their smoke…”

Moon: “You can recycle things to cut the waste…”

Mars: “You all can save energy with little effort…”

All other planets said together: “Please do everything to save our family member and your home.”

Elia, Sara, Hassan, Hira, Ali and other all our friends raised their hands and replied:

“We will save our mother…

We will protect our home…

We will let the Earth live…”

The earth smiled with hope… thanking everyone…

And whole the galaxy thumbed up.

________________

Eliya Hassan, 6, is student of class III, IBA Public School, Larkana Sindh

The post Earth’s Complaint and Our Promise first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Maham Mahar

British fiction writer J.K Rowling is well-known in world for her Harry Potter series; she has introduced readers to a magical world through her writings. She wrote a novel titled “The Ickabog” for children, during Covid-19 pandemic.

I recently went J.K Rowling’s fascinating novel The Ickabog. Her books are really mind blowing and amusing. In my opinion she is the best fiction writer and my favorite. I have read many books but Ickabog is the best of all. She had written the novel Ickabog with remarkable choice words, its characters, presentation, negations, chapter, title adventure, monster and each and everything is maintained and balanced nothing is more nor less.

In this marvelous novel Lord Flapoon, King Fred, Lord Spittleworth and Ickabog are the main characters of the novel. Their characters are very different and unique from others. The drawings by the children included in the book are also fabulous. The mischiefs of Lord Flapoon and Spittleworth are penned down splendidly.

The best thing in this novel is about the monster called Ickabog, it is a very loving and friendly monster and the children helped him and supported him. The arrival and departure of the Ickabog was really smooth.

The adventures of the main characters and the death of Mr. Beamish was also really incredible and saddening. Bert and Daisy had the cutest bond and the love of Mr. Dovetail for her daughter was really heartwarming. Lady Eslanda’s love for the cheese maker’s son was also really deep. Mrs. Beamish who thought his husband was killed by Ickabog was really innocent and sacrificed many things for his son. Lord Spittleworth had a negative role but was a really interesting and main character in the novel. This novel is filled with love and cleverness and plotting against the king.

It is one of the best novels I have read till now J.K Rowling has written this novel by really deep thoughts and sweetness. It is a beautifully written novel which should be read by everyone right there.

This novel has cute friendships along with their distances. The siblings in orphanage and the harsh Ma Grunta and John. The story of Cornucopia from a really wealthy country to a really poor country only because of the Ickabog tax. The nature and beauty of Cornucopia is written really briefly, beautifully, incredibly, splendidly and etc. The proposal of Spittleworth to Eslanda, Mrs. Beamish’s words to the maid about Mr. Dovetail’s dialogues.

Everything is written and maintained in a really smooth way. This novel is for adults and children, ladies and gents, girls and boys, for everyone! A really different story about a kingdom/country which is rumoured with the presence of Ickabog while there is no Ickabog present currently there. This story was really interesting and while I was reading it I just wanted to read it more not to stop.

In this book children from age group 6-12 had made drawings and were displayed in it too. I had fun reading this novel. This is a novel filled with love, support and negation which had enhance its beautification even more.

In the end King Fred was not at all happy because he was in the cell locked up. This novel is also saying us that don’t trust blindly as Lord Spittleworth and Flapoon betrayed King Fred. This novel is also saying us that we should have unity in ourselves of we have to achieve something/anything.

It was really fun reading this novel. It is one of my most favorite books as well as J.K Rowling is also my favorite author/writer. This novel should be read by everyone. The most beautiful and nature loving novel.

It is one of the best novels I have read till now J.K Rowling has written this novel by really deep thoughts and sweetness. It is a beautifully written novel which should be read by everyone right there.

_________________

 Maham Mahar (13), has just been promoted to Class 8; she studied at The City School (Indus Campus), Sukkur.

The post The Ickabog: A Fascinating Novel by J K Rowling first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Eliya Hassan (Eliya Yasir); Age: 6, Student of class III, IBA Public School, Larkana Sindh

An Ambitious Girl

There lives a little smart girl…

Who likes to read and write!

She loves her school… and attends it regularly

When she comes back home,

She studies harder…

Her wish is to sing on the school stage

Her desire is to be an honest officer

Her aspiration is to be a talented writer

Her hope is to be a good artist

Her dream is to touch the stars of success…

Her vision is to reach the moon…

…and she knows,

She will fulfil her wishes one day,

With her will… with her passion.

_______________

The post An Ambitious Girl first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Abdulloh Abdumominov

The Christmas was approaching, but there was no sign of a Christmas tree at home. Friends were supposed to come to my party. But we couldn’t buy a real Christmas tree. When my mother left for work, I asked her to buy garlands and toys to somehow decorate the room

I had been planning for the party for a long time. My parents knew and allowed me to call my friends. But we were at odds with my best friend – Anvar. And I was not going to put up with him. On the contrary, I wanted to take revenge on him this year. Although, dad always told me: Do not dig a hole for another — you can fall into it yourself.

And he warned that Santa does not present gifts to bad children. But I didn’t care, I was very angry with Anvar and did not want to forgive him. In the afternoon we met with a former friend. He started talking first: Let’s put up, because soon there will be New Year. All quarrels must be left in the past. Let’s make a snowman together and call it Friendship.

At last, I decided not to continue the war and make peace with a friend: Come to me tomorrow for the New Year party. It will be fun. Only we will not have a Christmas tree – we did not have time to buy it.

When I was saying that to Anvar, I saw my mother walking home and carrying a big beautiful fluffy tree in her hands! I was so staring at her that I even fell. It was such a big cool surprise!

Probably, they say the truth that New Year should be celebrated with friends, in a good mood and without bad thoughts. Then all wishes will come true and the whole year will be good.

I had a great party with my best friends and nice family!

_________________

Abdulloh Abdumominov is a 7th grade student at a school in Shayhantahur district of Tashkent, Uzbekistan

The post Surprise Gift – A Short Story first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Birthday

On 19th January, I was so happy and excited

In the morning, in my school,

My class fellows and teachers wished me my birthday

I came back home, after my school.

There was a surprise, waiting for me there

My room was decorated with colored balloons and other decorations…

And my friends were there…

I wore my new pretty dress, which was bought by my papa

Especially for my birthday

In this dress, I was looking like a fairy

I enjoyed the party… It was so fun.

I got so many gifts.

Thank you so much, my family!!

For making my day more special

I love my family.

____________________

The post Birthday Poem first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Six-year Eliya Hassan (Eliya Yasir) is student of class II, IBA Public School, Larkana Sindh. She expresses her love for mother through sketch and a few poetic lines from core of her heart. 

My sweet mother is my world

My sweet mother is my world.

Her name is ‘Sabiha’. She is a teacher by profession.

She takes very good care of me.

She is my best friend too. Sometimes she looks like my schoolfellow.

She always wants to make me a good human and a smart learner.

Therefore, she always wants to take me to the heights of success.

She is my perfect guide.

She always makes delicious food for me and wants me to stay healthy.

I beg God for her sound health and long life.

I pray that may we live together always.

I love my Mom.

_________________

The post My Sweet Mother first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Eliya Hassan

In a far village, between the woods, there lived a horrible ghost. Everybody in the jungle was afraid of this terrible devil. Everyone was too scared even to set up his house around him…

But he never worried about it.

One night, that ghost was sleeping as usual under a tree, and no one dared to disturb him as always, but there lived a dog named ‘Coco’ in the same jungle, who was brave enough to face and even attack him. Coco decided to teach a lesson to the ghost that night, so that he may not trouble anyone else in future…

Therefore he came near him and bit him bitterly.

The ghost got up from his deep sleep.

He was terribly afraid and trembling out of fear…

He asked coco for mercy and all the animals around.

He promised not to frighten anyone again.

‘Don’t threaten anyone with your power otherwise, you will get harmed.’ Coco advised him.

Moral of the story: Never underestimate the weaker creatures around you, otherwise you will gain pain. Never think you are the most powerful in your circle and never be proud of that supremacy. As you can have more influential souls around you.

__________________

Six-year Eliya Hassan (Eliya Yasir) is student of class II, IBA Public School, Larkana

The post The Ghost and the Coco – A brief tale first appeared on Sindh Courier.