Chapter 1

The Farmer and Seeds

Along time ogo, Jesus sat beside a lake. A lorge crowd soon cothered oround nim just to heor his woras
of wisdom. JesUs told the crowd a storsabout afarmer.

Jesus saic, Listen! Once upona time. o former went out to olant some seeds. As he Scotterec tnem
across his field, the seeds fell at different olaces. Some seeds feli on o footoath, and the biros
came andate them up.Some seeds fell on shallow soil with underiying rock These
seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted
under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died. Some
seeds fell among thorns that grew up faster than the plants and choked
out the tender plants. But some seeds fell on rich fertile soil, and they
produced a crop that Was hundreds times as much as had been

planted.! This way, he could easily see the difference among the
footpoth, rocks, thorns, and rich fertile soil."

After finishing the story, Jesus explained, "God's words are like
seeds. Thes are all the same. But their outcome is different on
different grounds.
message
The footpoth represents the heart of those who hear the
one comes and
of God but don't understand it. Then the evil
their
Snatches awau the seed that was planted in
hearts.

5
Tnerocks soil represents
tnose who hear the message

with oy But since they don't

nave deeo faith, they don't last
ong They fall awayas sOon
3s theu have problems or are
mstreated for believing God's
Woro.

The thorns represent those

who hear God's Word, but are

rowdedby the worries of this life and

tre lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.

The good soil represents those whotruly hear

and understand
Goc's wordand producea good
harvest of faith. Goodness and lots of love are filled in their hearts
The cbove story has to dowith the
farmer, the seed, and the four kinds of soils
(1) The Farmer is our Lord into which the seed fell.
Himself. (2) The Seed is the Word of God. (3) The
Soil is the Human Heart.
Four kinds of soils are
mentioned, and it is important to observe that there
seec. it Was the reception of the was nothing wrong withtne
seed which was wrong in three
cases, and right in one case.

Exercises
A
Answer the following
1.
Who is compared with questions:
God in the above story?
2.
What is considered as the
word of God in the
above story?
3.
What is compared with
human heart in the above
story?
 Chapter 2
Art of Listening
Listening is an art. It iS of far greater
importance than what we realise.
Listening is not something that happens
on its own. It has to be made to happen.

Listening is one of the most difficult

aspects of the commnunication process.

Listeningis the process of using

the eors, the eyes and the brain to
Understand what the speaker is saying.
Listening is not just hearing, it is a
sincere effort to understand something
the other person issoying. Most of the
misunderstandings are caused due
to people not listening to others. It
happens in home, in school and in society. We often hear people
saying. "Listen to me." We hear, but we don't listen. What we hear
does not register, for hearing is passive. In order to listen, we
have to be active and attentive.

We don't listen becaUse we lack interest. We tend to pay

attention to what interests US. We talk more and listen less.
When we have an argument with somebody. we are not
bothered about what that person says. That is why, we
fail to understand the other person's views. Unless we
listen to the speaker, how can we understand what he
Says? We are onlyprepared to put forth our views and
are only thinking of supportingour views along with
arguments. Problems can be solved onls if we are
prepared to listen.
 listener is a good leader. He will
Listeningis an important quality which every leader should have. A good
quality
have manyfoliowers and friends. It is therefore necessary that we try to develop this irnportant
we are talking. We Cannot listen
When we want to listen, we must stop talking. We cannot listen when
cannot listen properly. He
unless we want to listen. We cannot listen if we are distracted. An angry person
will get the wrong interpretation from the words he hears.
better for the listeners as well as
Listeningreduces mistakesand misunderstandings. Listening makes life
less and listen more" as a motto. It will make
for the speaker. It is gOod to adopt the famouS Saying, "Talk
our life more peaceful andenjoyable.
Exercises.

Answer the followingquestions:

A
1.
What is listening?

important than speaking?

2. Why is listening more

hearing?
3. How is listening different from

listen wel|?
4. Why don't people usually

B{
B Fillinthe blanks:
and
1. In order to listen, we have to be
2. We do not listen because we lack

3. Problerns can be solved only if one is prepared to

4. Agood listener isa good
C Write Tfor true andF for false:
1. Listening is an art.
2. Listeningisan active process.
3. Hearing and listening are the same.
4. We listen only to what we like.
5. We can listen if we are distracted.
 Oestroyed
it not Wnen
shouid
Gngry
is tindweTrhiTriendss must tnat itis ruin.friendship Co AWOy. andFriendship noppiness theu friends
We Weothers. We
evil must
Oongerous is De we very
Friends Friendship loyal help moke oli
the things, We ore
tested.
wil importanthave
reason tolove can with friends us dependhuman
utter We stand
many who thot eoch our to o
to nove go0d Sickness,
mckes
demands be OUr
careless
why by do does when to
listen other.
friends good beings
on
friends
to usfriends, how not friends, make
be it us not we each
to is in we say help trust Wefor or want life
correct
others orvery wesaid difficulties
our bad. these
and
but
choose bad should wht other.
human
must difficulties
that onls us and Go0d theirhappy
and Coreful ourWords
to are We
words learn a and mistakes
a our becomme sacrifice. not they help. and
turn in friend doubled. oftenbeings
and
sorrow
few
friends. and speakfriendship are
agcinst our to
agginst of and
enjoyable.
Friends
words, keep in
trials. them develop needcannot N
need or better il When
give Good who of not has
our our them. our share the
10 friends.friends.deeds isTheu uswil bad is becaUse We
a be
and love not friends several
we help live
o
Friends friend chance wil
sincere true habits us a
share joys help alone.
and of
be for good qualities.
of and
Above
We friends in our our others
behaviour. conindeed. there toand our is their what We
should friendship.bad sorrows, sorrows. friends
all, be totest money, and live
true arfriendship.
e absence they First in
lost share our
not we Even hard have. When
when they a
should and friends.
friends. are
of these societu
hesitate our Friendship nor all, too
when to they
friendship
not Sorrows Friends find. not This Friends there are we need
let in
to we True good
them share need the
reveal We can that must halved. our
apologise are
ond and triends.
mUst
our cormpon
Can and may lead down our help
theiangty
r leads be
be wore go0C trieno be jous hel o
thinx us sincere
true We
seCe to us in onc cro
or. love . :
make up it we oTtend them at any time We should be nrengred toforgive our friendsif they go against
US SOmetimes.
We should consider ourselves lUcku if we find a few go0d friends All care must be taken to sustain gooo
friends. because a good triend is a great gift of God.

The Battlefield
Overwhelmed with sorrow, a
soldier saw his lifelong friend fall
in battle. Caught in a heated battle
with continuous gunfire whizzing
all over the place, the soldier
decided to come out of his hiding
and fetch his seriously wounded
friend.
"You can go," said another fellow
soldier,"but Idon't think it will be
worthwhile. In most probability.
your friend is dead, and it would
be futile to take such a big risk
now." The soldier was not affected bu these words. Al| he could think of was to fetch his duing friend.

Bravely and miraculously, he managed to reach his friend and carried him back to the company's
checked the
trench. As the two of them tumbled in together to the bottom of the trench, the other soldier
WOunded soldier, and then looked kindlå at his friend.
mortalls wounded."
"I told you, it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead and you are
with what I did.
"No. Idon't agree", replied the soldier hugging his dear friend. "I am happy
soldier refuted.
"What makes uou think so? Your friend is no more." The other
alive and Ihad the sati_faction of
"Yes, unfortungtels he is no more. But when Igot to him, he was still
hearing him saying, "Friend, Iknew you'd come."

Seven priceless gifts of friendship...

What it means
The gift
Be generous with appropriate handshakes, hugs, and encouraging pats
1. The gift of affection
on the shoulder.

2 The gift of listening Tru to listen with a free mind without any interruption, arguments or
thoughts to understand better.

3. The gift of laughter Share jokes, funny incidents or titbits that would bring smile or rather
generate laughter.

4 The gift of compliment Asimple and sincere compliment can make your bUddy's doay and
make him or her feel wonderful.

11
 5. The gift of seeing good See good qualities in your buddy: treat him or her with honour, respect
and dignity: stop judging.
6. The gift of time Givingeach other quality time strengthens friendship.
7. The gift of solitude Understandand appreciate when your friends want to be left alone or
need some 'me' time.

Exercises
A
Answer the following questions:
1. Why do we need friends?

2. Why do we share our joys and happiness with our friends?

3. Who are not good friends?

4. What are the qualities of good friends?

 C B

4. 3. 2. 1. 4. 3. 2. 1. 4. 3.
Write Fil
We A We A
Friendship
demands. We in What Who
When life All friend the
should often for T care make
without
we are are
must blanks:
need true in friends the not
not share need
friends be qualities good
care
our the and taken is to
for
sorrows help a friends?
friend. make
friends.
is for F to of
not of
life. good
with worth others. false:
friends?
our living.
friends,

these

are and

doubled. friends.
-good
and
 :Chapter 4 f
Keep Smiling
There are different types of people around
US. Let us take aclose look at our classmates.

There are different types of students in a class.

There are those who are always angryand
fighting. There are some others who are forever
complaining and crying. There are afewwho
are always happy and cheerful. They have a
smile on their face and appear very attractive.
During the interval, these few are always
surrounded by others. They laugh, are energetic
and crack jokes. They always appear to be
happyand without any problerns or Worries. On
the other hand, those with very serious, sullen
or grumpyfaces or the ones with sad faces are left alone. It is because everyone likes to be with the
happy andcheerful ones. Their smile attracts us.

Asmile shows kindness and friendliness. If yoUsmile at a child, he will smile back or come towards you. It
is said that smile is the language of kindness. Everybody can understand it.
Asmile is asign of happiness. Happy people are liked by others. They will have many friends. Asmile
helps aperson forget his troubles and worries. It helps to make others forget their troubles too.
Sometimes.a smile can change the life of others. There is a story of a very serious old gentleman who
lived in a town. He never smiled and never receivedasmile from anyone. People kept distance from
him, Those who had something to do with him were very careful in their dealings. They never smiled nor
talked much,Alittle girlcalled Mini passed by his house twicea day. She used to see him staring at the
rood andat the passers-by.She made ita point to look at him each time she passed that way. Each
time, she gove him a smile, without ever receiving one. Her friends laughed at her and taunted her. But
she continued todo so. After a few days, she noticed the gentleman smiling at her. The man then began
towait for the little girl and her smile as if that meant much to him. Then,one day. the old man was not
seen. Worried about the old man, the little girl stopped for a while at his door. While about to go, the little
 grl saw the old man acroSs the rogd

He was smiling and looking happy. Its

reason was that she had brought a little
Sunshine into his life with her Smile

It is easier to smile than to frown. In

fact, it is said that it costs nothing to
smile. And yet we prefer to frown than
to smile. We lose nothing by smiling
Instead, we gain much. Then why not try to
keep asmiling face? Asmile is infectious. Through o
smile, we can bring sunshine into the lives of others. we
maynot have gold and silver to give others but we can
give them a happy smile. It costs uS nothing. It can mean
much to them.

The face is said to be the index of the mind. A smiling

tace ndicates aclean andpure mind. A frowning face indicates a wicked mind. That is whåpeople

ovOId the companyof those who frown. As a smiling face is always an attractive face, let us make an
ettort to have asmile always on our faces. Worries and troubles may exist, fears and sorrowS are also
unavoidatble Allthese are part of life. But the true man is he who can smile through all these. Let us smie
awas OUr SOrrows.

Benefits of laughing:
The act of laughter induces feel-good hormones. Laughing
leads to the release of endorphins, aself-made natural
stress-eliever that has been scientifically shown to carry
messages of attachment and bonding, and to stimulate
feelings of care and forgiveness, in addition to acting asa
natural painkiller.
Blood and all mjor organs beconme fully oxygenated,
leaving Us bursting with energy.

The exercise of laughter boosts the immune system.

14
 It
removes stress levels, making us feel light. positive and
cheerful.
Laughter makes it easier to cope with life and its
challenges.
People who laugh don't Worry as much as people who don't laugh, and as SUch,
enJOy ire
more.

Laughter makes us feel good because it defuses three of the most painful emotions,
namely. fear, anger and boredom, by releasing them.
When we laugh along with others, criticism seems to collapse. We are able to let themn be
themselves and enjoy their company even more.
Laughter is a great team-building tool that encourages better communication.
Laughter acts as an aerobic exercise and is like 'internal jogging.

It encourages positive thinking and creativits.

It improves relationships.

Exercises
A Answer the following questions:
1. What is smile?

2. What does a smile show?

3 What type of company does everyone like to be?

4. What does a smiling face indicate?

a
Activity
B A
Make
A B
Make Make
4. 3. 2. Write
1. 4. 3. 2. 1
Fil
Aeveryone.
A peoplehaveattracts
Happy Smile The is.It Smile in
a a a smile smile T smile A the
list list list for face
is
of of of is can true is helps tblanks:
he
hings places people very the
change language
expensive. and index a
person
that that or amany F of
pets life. for
to of
bring bring the
forget
friends. false:
that
a
mile asmile bring to his
smile
on on a
your your smile than

to
ace face on frown.
your
hen when
face
ou you
when
nk think
you
of of
m. them. think
of
ther
 Chapter 5
Take Initiative
ichagnd her friends went on a picnic. They
were playing
oegr a river. Suddenly, a little boy fell into the river. He
did not know how to swim. On seeing the boy getting
drowned, some children ran away while others watched
him helplessly. Some of them started crying
and shouting. Just
then, Nisha jumped
into the river and

pulled the boy by his hair and

dragged him on to the shore.
Nisha's action saved the boy's life.

There are several occasions like

this, when aquick action is needed.

Often,such actions can prevent loss
of life and property. Not everybody can
act quicklyand selflessly. It requires courage and quick decision.
Most people become helpless on sUch occasions. Their helplessness prevents them from doing anything.
They are afraidto act.

Traffic jam causes inconvenience to everyone. Yet everyone remains sitting in his vehicle and no one
does anuthina to clear the jam. If there is someone with a little initiative, the whole problem can be
settled in a short time.

People refuse to take the initiative because theyare afraid to take the risk. They prefer to follow the
normal course.

Initiative is a qualitswhich encourages one topursue unexplored fields. People with initiative follow the
untrodden path. Theyare daring and risk-taking. The result is that they discover new things and achieve
great success. This is the quality which distinguishes great inventors, explorers,discoverers and other
famouS men from the rest.

17
 Most people want to do things. Theythink of achievinggreat success. They talk and they dream but the
laCk the initiative to take the first step. The dreamers can never be the achievers. The real achievers are
the doers.

At one time, the moonwas believed to bea God. Due to the efforts and initiative of the scientists, today,
we no longer look ot the moon in the same way. Man has conquered the highest mountain, explored
thedeepest ocean and is able to walk in space because some people took the initiative and provedto
be real doers.They touched what had not been touched before and had the courage to do what others
were afraid of.

The need of the day isof people with initiative and drive. Countries like Japan and U.S.A have progressed
SO much because the people there are real doers and not dreamers. If we developthis qualits, our
country will also progress rapidiy.
Initiative is agreat quality which only afew people possess. Such people are in great demand. The
progress ofthe nation and the entire world depends upon them. We should do everything possible to
Cultivate this qualitsand prove ourselves to be real doers.
 Exercises
A

4. 3. 2. Answer
1.

What Why Who initiative'?

What is

qualities are are the

people real
following
achievers?
are with
needed
initiative questions:
for
acting in
great
quickly? demand?
B Fill in the blanks:
1 Quick actions can prevent loss of and

2. Peopie refuse to take the

3. The can never be the achievers.

4. People who take are in great dernand.

C Write Tfor true and Ffor false:

1 selfish person cannot have initiative.
A
2. Most people can act quickly in an emergency.
3. Acting quickly means acting without thinking.
4. One should never followthe unknown path.