The City Mouse and The Country Mouse

Once there were two mouse - A City Mouse and A Country Mouse.

A City Mouse once went on a visit to his cousin in the country. His cousin was rough and ready, but he loved him and welcomed him.

Beans and bacon, cheese and bread, were all he had to offer, but he offered them freely.

Instead of eating, the City Mouse rather turned up his long nose at this country food, and said: "I cannot understand, Cousin, how you can put up with such poor fare as this, but of course you cannot expect anything better in the country; come you with me and I will show you how to live. When you have been in town a week you will wonder how you could ever have stood the country life."

No sooner said than done: the two mice set off for the town and arrived at the City Mouse's residence late

at night. "You will want some refreshment after our long journey," said the polite Town Mouse, and took his friend into the grand dining room.

There they found the remains of a fine feast, and soon the two mice were eating up jellies and cakes and all that was nice.

Suddenly they heard growling and barking. "What is that?"said the Country Mouse.
"It is only the dogs of the house," answered the other.
"Only!" said the Country Mouse. "I do not like that music at my dinner."
Just at that moment the door flew open, in came two huge mastiffs, and the two mice had to scamper down and run off.

"Goodbye, Cousin," said the Country Mouse.

"What! going so soon?" said the City Mouse.
"Yes," he replied;

Moral of the Story - Better eat beans and bacon in peace than cakes and jellies in fear. Always be happy in what you have.

Vasant Panchami/ Saraswati Puja

Saraswati Puja is also known as Vasant Panchami. This is a Hindu festival. And on this very day, hindus worship goddess Saraswati for Knowledge, music, art and culture.

In Hindu religion, it is believed that Goddess Saraswati, the hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts and science, who is also the companion of Brahma, and is also revered as his Shakti (power). It was with her knowledge, that Brahma created the universe. She is a part of trinity "Saraswati", "Lakshmi" and "Parvati". All the three forms help trinity "Brahma", "Vishnu" and "Shiva" in the creation, maintenance and destruction of the Universe.

In India, many people believe if the kids write their first word on this very day, they will do well in their life and career. Traditionally during this festival children are taught to write their first words, Brahmins are invited for lunch, ancestor worship is performed and most educational institutions organize special prayer or puja for Goddess Saraswati.

Every School and colleges, perform the Puja of Goddess Saraswati on this very day, in their Campus area.

Birds and Insects

Birds - 

Birds are feathered, winged and egg laying animal. Birds sizes ranges from 5cm to 2.75 m. The smallest bird is the humming bird and the biggest bird is commonly known as Ostrich.

Ostrich

Humming Bird

According to the scientists and the fossil records, birds emerged from Dinosaurs in the Jurassic Period.

Penguin

In modern Period, birds are said to be having feathers, beaks with no teeth, lay a hard shelled eggs, and have a very light bones which help them in flying. All the birds fly except some like penguins.

 And some birds fly for a very small distance such as Peacock.

Peacock

Some of the commonly known birds are

• Sparrow
• Humming bird
• Eagle
• Parrot
• Cock
• Duck
• Peacock
• Crow
• Pigeon

Swallow

There are some birds which migrate from one place to another in summer and winter according to their needs. This process is known as Bird migration. It is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat, or weather. Birds migrates in Groups. Commonly known birds which migrate are Swallows. Swallows can  travel long distances. Give the Kids below work pages to make them learn about birds.

1. Birds and their names
2. Circle the pictures of Birds
3. Special Qualities of Birds

Insects - 

Insects are those class of animals which has 3 parts body, three pair of joint legs, compound eyes, and 1 pair of antennae. There are million of Insects around the World. The life cycles of insects vary (from one day to a few years), and most insects hatch from eggs.

Adult insects typically move by walking, flying or sometimes swimming. As it allows for rapid yet stable movement, many insects adopt a tripedal gait in which they walk with their legs touching the ground in alternating triangles.

Humans regard certain insects as pests, and attempt to control them using insecticides and a lot of other techniques. Some insects damage crops by feeding on sap, leaves or fruits. A few parasitic species are capable of transmitting diseases to humans, pets and livestock.

Some of the commonly known Insects are -

• Ant
• Bedbug
• Bee
• Cockroach
• Lice
• Spider
• termite
• Wasp 

 These work pages can help the Kids learn about the Insects-

1. Insects and their names
2. Circle any 5 Insects
3. Practice Page for Insect