One fine day, the Gods got together,

For down on earth it wasn't good weather.

Ravan the demon was getting too strong,

So the Gods sent down Ram to right the wrong.

After Ram lived on earth for quite a while,

His step-mother got mad and sent him for fourteen years of exile.

Although this wasn't very good karma,

He knew he had to do his duty, his dharma.

Sita asked to go with him for she was his wife,

She wanted to be with him for those fourteen years of his life.

And then one day Ravan came along,

To kidnap Sita which was very wrong.

Jatayu, the bird tried to stop him, but didn't succeed,

Because Ravan cut off his head, making him bleed.

When Ram came back, he noticed the bird was going to die,

And believing in sanskar, he sent its ashes to the sky.

Ram entered the forest, asking if anyone had seen his wife's face,

Then he came across Hanuman who'd found Sita's beautiful necklace.

Ram gave Hanuman his favourite ring,

So Hanuman could rescue Sita from the demon king.

Hanuman came home and he wasn't very blithe,

So Ram decided it was time to fight.

Ram killed all the demons,

And finally Ravan with an arrow in his belly.

After twentyone days their exile was complete,

And Ram and Sita went back to regain their royal seat.

Once again the kingdom was full of laughter,

And Ram and Sita lived happily ever after.

— Avinish Mehra, Ridgeview, Maryland, USA

Oh! God be with me,

When I fall

Hold me tightly.

When I stand

Guide me rightly.

Oh! God be with me,

Guide me as a teacher,

Scold me as a father,

Care for me as a mother,

Be everything for me.

Oh! God be with me,

I am nothing without you,

You live in me, I live in you.

May your blessings always be with me.

Oh! God be with me.

— Amisha Chawla, VI-B, St. Joseph Convent School, Ferozepore.