Chapter 1
Values and Morals
Today we will investigate something basic: how to guide youngsters along the correct road in life and enable their choice. It is our duty as parents, teachers, and mentors to help children to make sure the values they acquire now form the basis for their next choices.
A child’s life depends critically on moral principles. Acting as an internal compass, they enable one to separate good from bad. A child with strong moral principles is more likely to make decisions reflecting honesty, integrity, and compassion. But it’s not only about understanding what’s right; it’s also about mustering the bravery to follow that knowledge.
Children often find themselves in circumstances when they realize something is wrong but find it difficult to say so. For instance, they might know that smoking is bad, but they could find it difficult to express their criticism if surrounded by people who consider it as something “cool.” This uncertainty implies a lack of moral bravery rather than a lack of understanding; so, appropriate direction can help to close this gap.
Children who lack the correct moral ideals instilled throughout their life sometimes find themselves going on the wrong path. They may understand that an activity is bad, yet they could find themselves making decisions against better judgment without the moral backing or the strength of character to oppose peer pressure. This emphasizes the need of developing not just moral awareness but also the confidence to preserve these principles even under demanding circumstances.
We shall explore more in this chapter the need of moral principles and how best to teach them to youngsters. We will go over doable tactics for cultivating these values so that our kids not only know what is right but also possess the inner will to choose the correct course, independent of their situation.
Lazy Child: A Lesson in Time
In a small village that stood between rolling hills and a lazy river, lived a boy named Rohan. Rohan, to all the villagers, was the laziest child. While other children played around, assisted their parents, or did their homework, Rohan would always be found curled up under a tree or in the warmth of his bed, snoring away his days. His mother would often sigh and shake her head in disgust, in vain trying to awaken him for his chores, but Rohan would only mumble, “Later, Ma, I’ll do it later,” and drift back into sleep.
One bright morning, Rohan’s teacher, Master Ram, watched him from afar. Master Ram was a knowledgeable man, and not exactly about books, but about life. He saw in Rohan the potential hidden beneath all those layers of laziness and indifference that had formed over time and decided it was high time that the boy learned an important lesson.
The next morning, Master Ram called Rohan to his side after class. Rohan shuffled over, still half-asleep, rubbing his eyes and yawning loudly.
“Rohan,” Master Ram began, speaking in a soft tone yet laced with firm authority. “I have something special for you.” He reached inside his robe and pulled out a small, shining object that glittered in the sun. Rohan’s eyes widened slightly, curiosity piqued.
What is that, teacher?” Rohan asked; there was a rare hint of interest in his voice.
“This,” said Master Ram, holding the object carefully between his fingers, “is a magical object. When touched with iron it has the power to turn it into gold.
Rohan’s eyes shone as if for the first time in ages. “Gold?” he breathed, his head already reeling with all the visions of wealth and opulence. “I’ll be rich, teacher! I’ll have everything I ever wanted!
Master Ram smiled, though his eyes were sad in anticipation. “Yes, Rohan, but remember this power is not a boon-it’s a responsibility. Keep it safe, and I’ll be back in two days to take it from you.”
Rohan nodded avidly, his mind really racing along and barely catching the last of what Master Ram had said. His mind was filled with visions of piles of gold, great houses, and fine clothes. He was so excited that for a moment he forgot his general indolence. The moment, however, Master Ram walked away, his limbs sulked into their familiar somnolence. “I have two whole days,” he thought, “plenty of time.” And with that he slipped the bright thing into his pocket and went straight back to sleep.
And, this was how the first day passed in a blur of dreams where Rohan was a king, draped in gold and admired by all. He slept right through till long after the sun had risen the next day. Stretching indolently, he remembered the bright object and the gold he could create. I’ll be going up to the market soon,” he told himself, “But first, I’ll just have a little more sleep.” Thus, once again he soon dozed off, having dreamed of all his imminent riches.
When the afternoon sun started lengthening his shadows in the village, Rohan awoke from his slumber. He thought that one whole day had slipped through his fingers, yet wasn’t particularly perturbed by it. “There’s still tomorrow,” he muttered, “I’ll get up early and finish everything.” Saying this, he had his meal, promised his mother he would help her the next day, and went back to sleep.
The next morning, Rohan did get up early. For a change, his vital forces were bubbling over, and he felt determined. “Today’s the day!” he exclaimed. But no sooner had he sat down to plan out the day than the bed began to look inviting, and he felt running around the bustling market would be tiring. “Perhaps a little rest before I begin,” was his second thought, and he was soon fast asleep.
It wasn’t until the sun had begun to set once more that Rohan awoke with a jolt. Instantly, he was overcome with panic and frustration, realizing yet another day was getting wasted. The teacher would arrive at 6 pm, and he had done absolutely nothing. His heart racing, he jumped up and darted out of the house, running as fast as his legs would carry him toward the market.
But destiny had something else planned, and en route, he ran straight into Master Ram. The wise teacher was quiet and serene, but in his eyes shone a certain sternness in which lay the heart of Rohan plummeting.
“Rohan,” began Master Ram in a soft tone, “If done with the sparkling trinket, return it to me.”
Rohan’s face had gone red with shame. “No, sir, I haven’t done anything. I just kept on feeling that I had ample time. Just thinking about this has wasted two days of mine. Please, sir, just half an hour. I will now run to the market and get all the iron I can. I shall turn it all into gold, I promise!” But Master Ram slowly shook his head. There was a tinge of disappointment in his face, yet an understanding. “No, son. I wanted to teach you that all dreams alone are insufficient. Things don’t turn up so readily by just keeping your seat and waiting. Every work is to be done with effort, in perspiration, and judicious use of time. If you fritter away your time and don’t make use of it properly, then you’ll never achieve anything in your life.”
Rohan stood there, the tears swelling up in his eyes, the weight of his actions upon him. The bright thing in his pocket felt heavy, not with the promise of gold, but with the lesson he had learned from it. He returned it to Master Ram, his hands shaking.
Master Ram took the object and laid a hand on Rohan’s shoulder. “It’s not too late to change, Rohan,” he said kindly. “Remember, time is precious. Don’t waste it on dreams when you can act. Let this be the day you start working towards your future, not merely dreaming about it.” From then on, Rohan was never the indolent child the village knew. But by now, he knew that the dream was only the beginning. It was what he did after waking up that mattered. And so, every day hitherto Rohan worked, in fact never forgetting the lesson his teacher taught him. And even though he did not turn iron into gold, he realized that the only treasure in life he needed was the one he made with his hands