Mustafa lived in a peaceful village with big open fields and tall trees that had been there for years. Right in front of his house stood a strong neem tree, and to him, it was special. It wasn’t just a tree; it was home to a little sparrow family. Mustafa loved watching the tiny birds fly around, feeding their chicks and singing their sweet songs every morning.

One day, his father made an announcement. “We need to cut this tree down,” he said. “It’s too close to the house, and we need more space.”
Mustafa’s heart dropped. “But, Abba, the sparrows live here! If we cut it down, where will they go?”
His father shook his head. “They’ll find another tree. There are plenty around.”
But Mustafa wasn’t convinced. He had noticed that many trees in the village had already been cut, and fewer birds came around these days. Losing this one tree meant losing a home — for the sparrows and for nature.
That night, he couldn’t sleep. The thought of the sparrow family losing their nest bothered him. He decided he had to do something. The next morning, when the workers arrived with axes, Mustafa ran to the tree and wrapped his arms around its trunk. “I won’t let you cut it!” he shouted.
His mother came outside, surprised. “Mustafa, don’t be so stubborn. It’s just a tree.”
“No, Ammi! It’s not just a tree,” he argued. “It gives us shade, fresh air, and a home for birds. If we keep cutting trees, one day we won’t have any left.”
Hearing the commotion, neighbors gathered. Some of them nodded in agreement. An elderly man stepped forward and said, “The boy is right. When I was young, this village had so many trees, and birds were everywhere. Now, with fewer trees, the summers are hotter, and the air feels dry. We must stop before it’s too late.”
Mustafa’s father looked at him, then at the tree, and took a deep breath. Finally, he sighed and said, “Alright, Mustafa. We won’t cut it.”
A wave of relief washed over Mustafa, and some villagers even decided to plant new trees. That neem tree stayed standing, and over time, more birds started returning to the village. Mustafa’s small act of bravery had sparked a change, reminding everyone that even saving one tree could make a difference.
Lesson: Every tree matters. Protecting nature isn’t just about saving trees — it’s about protecting life, for us and for the creatures that share our world.

Words of Wisdom
•    You are what you eat. Be careful in your choice of food. Avoid junk food.
•    Keep yourself clean; cleanliness is next to godliness.
•    Faith in God will steer you clear of all troubles.
•    Be sincere in what you do; do a good deed every day.
•    To be kind, caring and compassionate towards others is a sign of goodness.
•    Be flexible, not rigid: a branch that does not bend will break.
•    Two minds are better than one. So, if you wish to find a solution to some problem, consult someone who is wise.
•    Build strong relations with your parents because that is what matters the most.

Contributed by Zeenat Iqbal Hakimjee

Exams
We always think about exams
We always feel stressed about exams  
Mama says, “Prepare for your exams”  
Papa says, “You can't do anything without your exams.”  
From day to night, we talk about exams,  
Year after year, we remain under the spell of exams 
Despite all this, we don’t attain perfection in exams  
Suddenly, a thought arises in mind
And a sound echoes in my heart 
“What shall I do in my “real” exams?”  
We always forget and ignore real exams
“What’ve you done for people and hereafter?”