The Town Built on Books

HAY-ON-WYE 

Imagine a town where almost every building is filled with books. Welcome to Hay-on-Wye, a charming little town on the border of England and Wales, famous around the world as the “Town of Books.” For book lovers, it is nothing less than paradise!

A TINY TOWN WITH A BIG STORY 

Hay-on-Wye is home to fewer than 2,000 people, but it attracts visitors from all over the world because of its incredible collection of books. The town is filled with second-hand bookstores, and together they hold millions of books. One of its bookstores is considered the largest second-hand bookshop in the world, with shelves stretching for nearly 13 kilometres.

THE MAN WHO SAVED HAY 

The story of Hay-on-Wye’s fame began in 1977 with a colourful bookseller named Richard Booth (1938–2019). Seeing his hometown losing businesses and jobs, Booth decided to do something extraordinary.

On April Fools’ Day, he declared Hay-on-Wye an independent kingdom and crowned himself King of Hay. He even created passports, a national anthem, ambassadors, and a “navy” that patrolled the River Wye! It was a playful idea, but it brought worldwide attention to the town.

A BOOK LOVER’S PARADISE 

Richard Booth filled empty buildings, including Hay Castle, a chapel, and even an old cinema, with books. Soon, Hay-on-Wye became a treasure house for readers, selling more than one million books every year. Visitors could find everything from classic novels to rare and valuable books at affordable prices.

Booth even delivered books around town in a horse-drawn cart, supporting local craftsmen and promoting an eco-friendly way of life.

THE FAMOUS HAY FESTIVAL 

Since 1988, Hay-on-Wye has hosted the world-famous Hay Festival, one of the biggest literary festivals in the world. Writers, poets, scientists, artists, and readers gather here every year to celebrate books, ideas, and creativity. Thousands of visitors attend this exciting event.

DID YOU KNOW?

●Hay-on-Wye is known as the “World’s First Book Town.”

●The town has dozens of bookshops, most selling second-hand books.

●Visitors can even buy books from honesty bookshops, where books are left outdoors and people pay by dropping money into a box.

Amazing Facts

●Hay-on-Wye turned from a struggling rural town into a world-famous tourist destination because of books.

●Millions of books are bought and sold in the town every year.

●Richard Booth is remembered as the man who gave Hay-on-Wye a new life and made it famous across the globe.

CONCLUSION 

Hay-on-Wye proves that books have the power to transform a community. From a quiet town in decline, it became an international destination for readers and writers. It is a wonderful reminder that a love for books can bring people, culture, and prosperity together.

Do you know

WHAT IS GREENWASHING?

Have you ever seen a product labelled “eco-friendly,” “100% natural,” or “good for the planet”? Sometimes these claims are genuine—but sometimes they are simply a clever marketing trick. This is called greenwashing.

The Story Behind the Word

The term greenwashing was coined in the 1980s by American environmentalist Jay Westerveld. While visiting a beach resort in the Fiji Islands, he noticed a sign asking guests to reuse their towels to “help protect the environment.” However, the same resort was expanding its buildings and damaging the surrounding natural ecosystem. Jay realised that the towel campaign was more about saving money than saving nature, and he described this misleading behaviour as greenwashing.

What Does Greenwashing Mean?

Greenwashing is the practice of making a company, product, or service appear more environmentally friendly than it really is. Businesses use advertisements, labels, or marketing campaigns to create a “green” image, even while continuing practices that may harm the environment.

As more consumers choose sustainable products, some companies use greenwashing to attract customers and increase profits without making meaningful environmental changes.

Common Examples of Greenwashing

Companies may use greenwashing in several ways:

* Using vague terms such as “green,” “natural,” or “eco-friendly” without evidence.

* Highlighting one environmentally friendly feature while hiding other harmful impacts.

* Claiming they will reduce pollution or carbon emissions without a clear plan.

* Making small changes to packaging or ingredients and promoting the product as environmentally friendly.

Why Is Greenwashing Harmful?

Environmental activists believe greenwashing is not only dishonest but also harmful in the fight against climate change. It creates a false impression that companies are protecting the environment, which can distract people from real and effective solutions.

For example, a clothing brand may advertise garments made from recycled materials, but those clothes could still be produced in factories that release large amounts of pollution and greenhouse gases.

How Can Consumers Spot Greenwashing?

* Look for trusted environmental certifications.

* Be cautious of vague or exaggerated claims.

* Check whether the company provides clear evidence of its sustainability efforts.

* Learn about the company’s overall environmental practices, not just one product.

Did You Know?

The word greenwashing combines “green” (environmentally friendly) with “whitewashing”, which means hiding the truth or making something appear better than it really is.

Greenwashing reminds us that protecting the Earth is about genuine action—not just green words and attractive advertisements.

A wise fable about thinking before trusting advice

THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER 

A hungry old lion paced across the savannah, frustrated that he had not caught a single meal all night. Age had slowed him down, and he was no longer as swift or strong as he had once been.

Just then, he spotted a young goat happily munching on grass at the top of a steep, rocky hill.

The lion's eyes lit up with hope—but there was a problem. The cliff was too steep for him to climb. So, instead of using strength, he decided to use cunning.

"Why are you eating that dry grass up there, my friend?" the lion called out sweetly. "Can't you see the lush, green grass growing down here in the valley?"

The goat looked down and replied, "Yes, I can see it. It does look green and fresh."

"It is even better than it looks," said the lion. "The grass is soft, tender, and still covered with sparkling morning dew."

"That's true," said the goat calmly. "I can see the dew shining in the early sunlight."

The lion continued tempting him. "The sun is rising quickly. Soon the dew will disappear. Come down now and enjoy this delicious feast before it's too late!"

The goat remained silent for a moment. Then he smiled and answered wisely,

"I see the green grass. I see the sparkling dew. But I also see the eager eyes of a hungry lion waiting below."

The lion realised that the clever goat could not be fooled. Defeated, he turned away and went off in search of another prey.

Moral of the Story

Beware of advice from people who stand to benefit from your decision. Think carefully before following someone's suggestions, especially when they may have hidden motives.

Why Do Prices Keep Rising?

INFLATION 

Have you ever wondered why a chocolate bar, a bus ticket, or a plate of your favourite snacks costs more today than it did a few years ago? This gradual increase in the prices of goods and services is called inflation. It is one of the most important concepts in economics because it affects everyone—from schoolchildren buying stationery to families planning their monthly budget.

WHAT IS INFLATION?

Inflation is the general rise in the prices of goods and services across a country over time. As prices increase, the purchasing power of money decreases. In simple words, the same amount of money buys fewer things than it did before.

For example: If a notebook cost ₹50 last year but costs ₹55 this year, inflation has increased its price.

WHY DO PRICES GO UP?

Prices can rise for many reasons. Here are the three main causes of inflation:

1. Higher Cost of Making Things

Many products become expensive because the cost of producing them increases. Companies spend more on raw materials, fuel, electricity, transport, and wages.

For example, to make a Dairy Milk chocolate, manufacturers need milk solids, sugar, and cocoa. If these ingredients become costlier, the price of chocolate also goes up. Similarly, when fuel prices rise, transporting food, clothes, and other goods becomes more expensive, and that extra cost is passed on to customers.

2. Global Problems and Shortages

India imports many goods from other countries. Natural disasters, wars, and supply chain disruptions can increase prices worldwide.

A recent example is olive oil. During 2024–2025, olive oil prices doubled because countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey faced extreme heat and drought, which damaged olive crops. The ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict also affected olive farming in the region.

3. More Demand Than Supply

Imagine everyone in your class receives ₹500 and rushes to buy pizza, but the shop has only 15 pizzas. Since many people want the same item, the shopkeeper raises the price.

This is called high demand and low supply. It is also why governments do not simply print unlimited money—too much money chasing too few goods would make everything much more expensive.

HOW IS INFLATION MEASURED?

In India, inflation is measured using the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Experts create a “basket” of everyday items such as rice, onions, milk, petrol, toothpaste, clothes, vegetables, and transport fares. They check the prices of these items every month. The percentage increase in the basket's total cost is called the inflation rate.

Example: If the basket cost ₹100 last year and ₹106 this year, the inflation rate is 6%.

HOW DOES INFLATION AFFECT US?

Inflation has both positive and negative effects.

●Positive Effects

Encourages people to spend and invest money.

Helps businesses grow when the economy is expanding.

Can lead to better wages and more jobs in some sectors.

●Negative Effects

Everyday essentials become more expensive.

Families need to spend more on food, transport, and household items.

Savings lose some of their purchasing power over time.

HOW CAN INFLATION BE CONTROLLED?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plays a major role in controlling inflation.

If prices rise too quickly, the RBI increases the repo rate—the interest rate at which it lends money to banks. Higher interest rates make loans more expensive, so people and businesses borrow and spend less. This helps slow down inflation.

The government also takes steps to control rising prices. For example, when onion prices increased because of poor harvests, the Government of India imported onions to increase supply and reduce prices.

IS INFLATION ALWAYS BAD?

No. A little inflation is actually good. It shows that people are buying goods, businesses are earning profits, and the economy is growing.

However, too much inflation makes basic necessities unaffordable. On the other hand, deflation—when prices stop rising or start falling—can also be harmful because people spend less, businesses earn less, and jobs may be lost.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF INFLATION?

Most countries aim for an inflation rate of about 2% to 4% each year. In India, the RBI targets 4% inflation, with an acceptable range of 2% to 6%. This is called optimal inflation, as it supports healthy economic growth without making prices rise too fast.

DID YOU KNOW?

●Around 2008, Zimbabwe experienced hyperinflation, where a loaf of bread cost about 100 billion Zimbabwean dollars.

●During hyperinflation, people sometimes carried wheelbarrows full of money just to buy basic items like bread and eggs.

●A small amount of inflation is considered a sign of a healthy and growing economy.

AMAZING FACTS 

●The word inflation comes from a Latin word meaning “to blow up” or “expand.”

●Food and fuel prices have a major influence on inflation because they are used every day.

●The prices of goods do not always rise equally—some items may become cheaper while others become much more expensive.

CONCLUSION 

Inflation is a natural part of every economy, but keeping it under control is essential. Understanding inflation helps us become smarter consumers, plan our spending wisely, save for the future, and appreciate how a balanced economy benefits everyone.

The Robot Cat from the Future

DORAEMON 

Doraemon is one of the most popular and lovable cartoon characters in the world. With his round blue body, cheerful personality and amazing gadgets, he has entertained generations of children. But Doraemon is more than just a funny cartoon character—he teaches us about friendship, kindness, courage and the importance of helping others.

WHO IS DORAEMON?

Doraemon is a robotic cat from the 22nd century. He travels back in time to help a young boy named Nobita Nobi. Nobita is kind-hearted but often careless, unlucky and not very confident. Doraemon tries to guide him and help him solve his everyday problems.

Doraemon carries many fascinating gadgets in his four-dimensional pocket. These gadgets come from the future and make his adventures exciting and imaginative.

Historical Background of Doraemon

The story of Doraemon began in Japan in the late 1960s. The character was created by the Japanese manga artists Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko, who worked together under the pen name Fujiko F. Fujio.

Doraemon first appeared in manga form in December 1969, when stories about the robotic cat from the future were published in several children's magazines. The character was sent from the 22nd century to help a schoolboy named Nobita Nobi, whose future descendants were worried about his family's difficult future.

The first Doraemon animated television series was produced in 1973. Although that version was relatively short-lived, Doraemon returned to television in a new series in 1979. This version became enormously popular in Japan and helped establish Doraemon as one of the country's most beloved fictional characters.

A major milestone came in 1980, when the first Doraemon feature film, Doraemon: The Record of Nobita, Spaceblazer, was released. Since then, numerous theatrical films have taken Doraemon and his friends on adventures involving time travel, space, history and imaginary worlds.

Doraemon gradually spread beyond Japan through translations, television broadcasts and films. The character became particularly popular in India, where the Hindi-dubbed television series introduced Doraemon to a huge audience of young viewers.

Over the decades, Doraemon has grown from a Japanese children's manga character into an internationally recognised cultural icon. His stories continue to combine humour, science fiction, imagination and valuable lessons about friendship and responsibility, making the robotic cat from the future popular with new generations of children.

The Amazing Gadgets

Doraemon's gadgets are perhaps the most exciting part of the series. One of his best-known gadgets is the Anywhere Door, which can take people to almost any place instantly. The Time Machine allows travel through different periods of history.

Another favourite is the Take-copter, a small propeller that lets people fly. The Small Light can make objects smaller, while the Big Light can make them bigger. Doraemon also has many other unusual gadgets that often create hilarious situations.

Although these gadgets are entertaining, the stories often show that simply having a magical solution does not solve every problem. Nobita sometimes learns that hard work, honesty and good decisions are more important.

SOME OF DORAEMON'S AMAZING GADGETS 

One of the most exciting things about Doraemon is his collection of futuristic gadgets. He carries them in his magical four-dimensional pocket, which seems to have unlimited space. Whenever Nobita faces a problem, Doraemon often pulls out a gadget that can do something extraordinary. These gadgets make the stories funny, adventurous and full of imagination.

🚪 Anywhere Door

The Anywhere Door is one of Doraemon’s most famous gadgets. It looks like an ordinary pink door, but when opened, it can take a person to a desired destination. Imagine opening your bedroom door and stepping straight onto a beach or into another city!

🚁 Take-copter

The Take-copter is a small propeller that can be attached to the head. It allows a person to fly through the air. It is one of Nobita and his friends’ favourite gadgets because it makes travelling quick and exciting.

⏰ Time Machine

The Time Machine allows Doraemon and his friends to travel through time. It is often used to visit the past or future and forms the basis of many exciting adventures. However, the stories also show that changing events in the past can sometimes lead to unexpected consequences.

🔦 Small Light

The Small Light can make objects or people smaller. It is useful when something needs to be transported or when the characters want to explore a miniature world.

💡 Big Light

As its name suggests, the Big Light does the opposite of the Small Light. It can enlarge objects or people. Together, these two gadgets create many amusing situations.

🧳 Anywhere Travel Door and Other Gadgets

Doraemon has countless other gadgets, including devices that help characters communicate, disguise themselves, travel through different worlds and even experience unusual situations. Some gadgets are useful, while others create trouble because Nobita sometimes uses them without thinking about the consequences.

🧠 WHY ARE THE GADGETS SO SPECIAL?

Doraemon’s gadgets are not just magical objects. They represent human imagination and the possibilities of future technology. Some gadgets resemble technologies that people already use or are developing today, such as video communication, translation devices, wearable technology and advanced transportation.

The gadgets also teach an important lesson: having a powerful tool does not mean that every problem will disappear. Nobita often learns that clever gadgets cannot replace honesty, responsibility, patience and hard work.

Doraemon’s wonderful gadgets therefore make his adventures entertaining while encouraging children to dream, imagine and think about what the future might bring.

DORAEMON AND HIS FRIENDS 

Doraemon's closest friend is Nobita. Their friendship forms the heart of the series. Nobita also spends time with Shizuka, Gian and Suneo.

Shizuka is kind and intelligent. Gian is strong and sometimes bossy, while Suneo is clever and likes showing off. Despite their differences and frequent arguments, the friends share many adventures and often help one another.

WHAT DOES DORAEMON TEACH US?

Doraemon's stories contain several valuable lessons. They remind us that true friendship means standing by others in difficult times. Nobita's experiences also teach children to take responsibility for their actions.

The series encourages curiosity and imagination. It makes us wonder what the future might look like and how science and technology could change our lives. At the same time, it reminds us that technology should be used wisely.

DID YOU KNOW?

●Doraemon was created by the Japanese manga artists Fujiko F. Fujio, the pen name of the creative partnership of Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko.

●Doraemon is a robotic cat from the 22nd century.

●His famous four-dimensional pocket can hold an enormous variety of futuristic gadgets.

●Doraemon is famously afraid of mice, despite being a robotic cat.

The character's stories combine humour, friendship, science fiction and everyday school life.

AMAZING FACT 

Doraemon has become a major part of popular culture far beyond Japan. His adventures have been translated and adapted for audiences in many countries, including India, where the character has become especially popular among children.

A FRIEND FROM THE FUTURE 

Doraemon may come from the future, but the values in his stories are timeless. Through his adventures with Nobita, he shows us that friendship, kindness, courage and responsibility are far more valuable than any magical gadget. That is perhaps the real reason why Doraemon continues to remain a favourite among children—and adults—around the world.

Do you know

WHY DO BABIES HAVE MORE BONES THAN ADULTS?

Have you ever wondered how many bones are in the human body? An adult human skeleton usually has 206 bones, but a newborn baby has around 270 to 300 bones! Does this mean that babies have extra bones that disappear as they grow? Not exactly. The interesting answer lies in the way a baby’s skeleton develops.

A SKELETON MADE FOR GROWTH 

When a baby is born, many parts of its skeleton are made of separate bones or pieces of cartilage. As the child grows, some of these pieces gradually join together, or fuse, to form larger, stronger bones.

For example, the skull of a newborn contains several separate bones. These bones are connected by flexible areas called sutures. A baby's skull also has soft spots called fontanelles. These flexible areas allow the baby's head to change shape slightly during birth and provide room for the rapidly growing brain.

As the child grows, the skull bones gradually become more firmly connected.

THE SPINE ALSO CHANGES 

A baby's backbone also contains more separate pieces than an adult's skeleton. Some bones at the lower end of the spine, including those that eventually form the sacrum and coccyx, fuse as a person grows older.

Similarly, several parts of the hip bone that are separate during childhood eventually join to form one large bone.

WHY AREN'T BABIES BORN WITH 206 BONES?

A baby's skeleton is designed to be flexible as well as strong. During infancy and childhood, bones need to grow and change shape. Having separate pieces connected by cartilage or flexible joints makes this possible.

As the body matures, these separate pieces gradually fuse. Therefore, the number of bones decreases—not because bones vanish, but because several smaller bones become one larger bone.

BONES ARE STILL GROWING!

Bones don't simply become bigger like balloons. They grow through special areas called growth plates, which are made of cartilage. These plates help the long bones of the arms and legs increase in length during childhood.

When growth is complete, the growth plates gradually close and become solid bone.

DID YOU KNOW?

👶 A newborn baby has about 270 to 300 bones, although the exact number can vary depending on how individual skeletal structures are counted.

🦴 An adult usually has 206 bones.

💀 The bones of a baby's skull are not completely fused at birth. This helps make childbirth possible and gives the brain room to grow.

🧒 Some bones continue to develop and fuse well into the teenage years and early adulthood.

AMAZING FACT!

The human skeleton is not a fixed structure from birth. It is a living, changing framework that grows along with us. So, when a baby has more bones than an adult, it is actually showing us something fascinating about human growth: many bones begin life as separate pieces and gradually join together as the body matures.

In a Nutshell

Baby → more separate bone pieces → growth and development → bones fuse → adult skeleton with about 206 bones.

Our skeleton may look like a rigid framework, but during childhood it is constantly growing, changing and adapting!

Do you know

HOW DO ANTS WALK ON WALLS?

Have you ever watched an ant confidently walking up a wall or even across a ceiling and wondered, “Why doesn't it fall?” It may look like the ant is defying gravity, but there is some fascinating science behind this tiny creature's remarkable ability.

Ants have specially adapted feet that help them grip smooth and rough surfaces. Their tiny feet, claws and sticky structures work together to keep them attached to walls and other surfaces.

TINY FEET WITH SPECIAL CLAWS 

An ant's leg ends in a tiny foot called a tarsus. At the end of the tarsus are small, curved claws known as pretarsal claws.

These claws are useful when ants walk on rough surfaces. The claws can catch onto tiny bumps, cracks and irregularities that are almost invisible to us.

But what happens when an ant walks on a smooth wall or glass surface where there are hardly any bumps to grab?

That's where another clever adaptation comes in.

A STICKY PAD HELPS THE ANT GRIP 

Between the claws of many ants is a soft, flexible structure called the arolium. When the ant puts its foot down, this pad can spread out and make close contact with the surface.

Ants can also produce a tiny amount of fluid that helps their feet maintain contact with smooth surfaces. The combination of close contact and this secretion creates forces that help keep the ant attached.

So, an ant does not simply “stick” to a wall like glue. Its feet use several mechanisms to maintain a grip.

WHAT ABOUT WALKING ON THE CEILING?

Walking vertically is already impressive, but ants can sometimes walk upside down on ceilings too!

When an ant is on a ceiling, gravity is trying to pull it away from the surface. The tiny forces generated by its feet must therefore be strong enough to keep it attached.

The ant carefully places several feet on the surface at the same time. If one foot loses its grip, the others can continue supporting it.

WHY DON'T ANTS FALL?

There isn't just one reason. Several features work together:

1. Claws

The tiny claws catch onto microscopic irregularities on rough surfaces.

2. Adhesive pads

Soft pads on the feet help the ant make close contact with smooth surfaces.

3. Foot secretions

A minute amount of liquid can help create adhesion between the foot and the surface.

4. Multiple legs

Ants have six legs. They can distribute their body weight among several points of contact while walking.

5. Tiny body size

An ant is extremely small and light. Because its weight is so low, the forces generated by its tiny feet can be sufficient to hold it against a wall.

DO ALL ANTS WALK ON SMOOTH WALLS?

Not necessarily. Different ant species have different foot structures and abilities. Some are particularly good climbers, while others are better adapted to walking on soil, plants or rough surfaces.

The surface also matters. An ant may find a rough wall easier to climb than a perfectly smooth one, depending on the structure of its feet.

A MARVEL OF NATURE 

An ant's ability to walk on walls is a wonderful example of how small adaptations can solve big problems. What looks like a simple walk to us involves claws, flexible foot pads, tiny amounts of fluid and carefully coordinated movements.

The next time you see an ant marching up a wall, remember that it isn't breaking the laws of gravity. It is using the remarkable design of its tiny feet to overcome gravity!

DID YOU KNOW?

🐜 Ants have six legs, and each leg ends in a highly specialised foot.

🔬 Scientists study the feet of ants and other insects to understand adhesion and climbing.

🦎 The climbing abilities of small animals have even inspired scientists and engineers to develop new adhesive materials and climbing robots.