Animals are the best companions

THE UNSPOKEN BOND

 

There’s a reason why people say animals are the best companions. Their love is pure, their loyalty unmatched, and their ability to connect with us on an emotional level is beyond explanation. Pets don’t need words to communicate; their presence alone can be the comfort we didn’t know we needed.

A wagging tail when you come home, a soft purr when you’re feeling low, or even the quiet nudge of a nose—these small moments remind us of the unconditional love animals offer. They don’t care about your status, mistakes, or past. To them, you are their world, and that’s a connection few humans can replicate.

Animals teach us to live in the moment. They don’t dwell on yesterday’s failures or stress about tomorrow’s uncertainties. They find joy in the simplest things—a walk, a belly rub, or a sunny spot to nap in. In a world that often feels too chaotic, they remind us to slow down and appreciate the here and now.

But the bond goes deeper. Studies show that spending time with pets can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even improve mental health. They become our confidants, our therapists, and our cheerleaders, all rolled into one. For many, a pet isn’t “just an animal”—they’re family.

Even wild animals have a way of connecting with us. Watching birds soar or dolphins dance in the ocean can evoke awe and remind us of the beauty and harmony in nature. These moments ground us and make us feel part of something bigger.

And when we lose them, the pain is real. The grief of losing a pet or a beloved animal companion is as profound as losing a dear friend. But even in their absence, they leave behind lessons about love, loyalty, and living authentically.

Animals are mirrors of our best selves—kind, forgiving, and full of heart. They don’t ask for much, just love and care, yet they give us so much in return. In their presence, we find a love that’s uncomplicated, unjudged, and unending.

So cherish those moments, whether it’s the playful antics of a puppy, the quiet companionship of a cat, or even the gentle hum of nature around you. Animals remind us of the beauty of connection, one that goes beyond words, transcending species, and leaving an indelible mark on our hearts.

Do you know

 WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POPCORN AND PUFFED RICE?

POPCORN 

You can pop corn with any heat source, but to puff rice you also need a pressure chamber. Popcorn is the only grain that can be ‘puffed’ at home because it has the right moisture content – 14 per cent – and a fragile hull. When the temperature of the kernel reaches 100 degrees Celsius, water starts to boil inside the starchy cells of the endosperm, causing them to expand. At 175 degrees Celsius, the superheated starchy material explodes through the hull of the kernel and instantly cools to form a chewy bubble. Grains of rice don’t contain enough moisture to pop under normal conditions. Instead, the rice must be heated in a pressure chamber at up to 14 kilograms per square centimetre. When the chamber is opened, the sudden change in pressure and volume causes the hot starch cells in the rice to expand rapidly, bursting through and puffing up like popcorn.

PUFFED RICE 

Famous structure

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE 

The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957. Utzon received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honour, in 2003.

The Sydney Opera House was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 28 June 2007. It is one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings and one of the most famous performing arts centres in the world. 

The Sydney Opera House is situated on Bonnelong Point in Sydney Harbour, close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It sits at the northeastern tip of the Sydney central business district (the CBD), surrounded on three sides by the harbour (Sydney Cove and Farm Cove) and neighboured by the Royal Botanic Gardens. 

Contrary to its name, the building houses multiple performance venues. As one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world, hosting over 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people, the Sydney Opera House provides a venue for many performing arts companies including the four key resident companies Opera Australia,  The Australian Ballet, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and presents a wide range of productions on its own account. It is also one of the most popular visitor attractions in Australia, with more than seven million people visiting the site each year, 300,000 of whom take a guided tour.

Other facilities: The building also houses a recording studio, cafes, restaurants and bars and retail outlets. Guided tours are available to the public, including a frequent tour of the front-of-house spaces, and a daily backstage tour which takes visitors backstage to see areas normally reserved for performers and crew members. 

Do you know

WHAT IS WIRELESS CHARGING?

Have you ever wished your gadgets could charge without the hassle of plugging them in? Now, wireless charging without the need of cables or cords! This fantastic blend of science and convenience is making our lives easier and our gadgets more user-friendly. 

What is wireless charging? Wireless charging allows you to power your device without using a cable. Instead of plugging in your phone, tablet or any other gadget, you can simply place it on a special charging pad or stand. It’s like a wireless handshake between the pad and your device, transforming energy without a physical connection!

How does it work? The magic behind wireless charging is called electromagnetic induction. Inside the charging pad, a coil of wire generates an electromagnetic field when electricity flows through it. Your device, like a smartphone, has a similar coil Inside. When you place your device on the charging pad, the electromagnetic field transfers energy to the device’s coil, which then charges its battery. 

The future of wireless charging: The future looks bright for wireless charging. Scientists and engineers are working on making it even more powerful and efficient. Imagine a world where entire room or even outdoor spaces have wireless charging zones, and you can charge your devices just by being nearby!

● Believe it or not, some of the first gadgets to use wireless charging were electric toothbrushes!

● Wireless charging can help reduce e-waste by eliminating the need for multiple charging cables and connectors. 

● Wireless charging isn’t as new as you might think! The idea goes back over a century to a famous inventor named Nikola Tesla. In the late 1800s, Tesla demonstrated the ability to transfer electricity without wires. 

An exalted award

THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 

One of the most highly regarded prizes in the world is given to honour the person who has done the most toward promoting peace in the world.

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five prizes created by Swedish businessman and inventor Alfred Nobel (1833–1896). He left money for the awards in his will and specified how each should be bestowed. Awarded on a yearly basis, the Peace Prize consists of a diploma, a medal, and a monetary award that varies a bit over time. Not long ago, the amount was 10,000,000 Swedish kronor (more than $1,600,000). The prize is presented annually in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.

First given in 1901, the Peace Prize, in Nobel’s own words, is awarded “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotion of peaceful congresses.” This may also include people or groups who have worked to resolve conflicts or create peace.

The recipient is chosen by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which is appointed by the Norwegian Parliament. Initial nominations for the prize may be made by a large group of people considered qualified, such as former recipients, university professors, and special advisers to the committee. The committee reviews the nominees and chooses a winner. In some years, no award has been given.

Some famous people have received the Nobel Peace Prize over the years. They include President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 for his part in promoting the League of Nations after World War I; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1964 for his role in leading a peaceful civil rights movement; and Mother Teresa in 1979 for her charity work with underprivileged people in Calcutta, India. In more recent decades, the prize has gone to the United Nations and its secretary general, Kofi Annan, in 2001 for their work toward a more peaceful world; the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and former U.S. vice president Albert Gore in 2007 for their efforts to increase awareness of global warming; and the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo in 2024 for its atomic bomb survivors’ efforts to share their testimony to help keep nuclear weapons from ever being used again. 

GOODBYE 2024

Welcome 2025

As the last day of December gently passes, we stand on the threshold of a new beginning. These moments feel like a pause—a chance to reflect on all that 2024 brought into our lives. The joys we celebrated, the challenges we endured, and the lessons we learned have all shaped us.

Let this last day of the year be the day to let go. Release the burdens of resentment, the weight of regret, and the pain of what didn’t go as planned. Free your heart from what no longer serves it, so you can step into 2025 lighter, stronger, and more at peace.

Welcome the new year with open arms, a hopeful spirit, and a heart full of gratitude. May 2025 bring you growth where you need it, healing where it’s overdue, and opportunities that align with your deepest dreams.

Remember, the year ahead is a gift waiting to unfold. You have the power to write a new chapter filled with kindness, courage, and endless possibilities. So as we bid farewell to 2024, let’s carry forward the love and wisdom it left behind while embracing the promise of brighter days ahead.

Life is too short to carry the weight of anger, resentment, or grudges. It’s too fragile to let stress steal our moments of peace or let pain block our path to joy. Forgiveness isn’t just an act—it’s a gift we give ourselves, a release that allows our hearts to breathe again.

Let 2025 be the year of rebuilding, reconnecting, and rediscovering what it means to live freely and fully. May we all find our strength, our purpose, and our peace in the days ahead.

Here’s to letting go, moving forward, and welcoming 2025 with hope and determination. May it be a year of peace, purpose, and joy for you.

HUMOROUS SHORT STORY

All for a loincloth

A hermit lived in a little hut on the bank of a river. His only possession was a loincloth.

Every day after his morning dip in the river he would hang his loincloth out to dry.

One afternoon he found that a rat had made a hole in the loincloth.

The next day the rat made another hole in it. The hermit went to the village and brought a cat. The rat fled. 

But now the hermit had to feed the cat and so whenever he went to the village to beg for food he would beg for milk too.

The people gave willingly but the hermit knew they could not really afford to give him milk every day. He decided to get a cow.

A rich man gave him one. Now the hermit did not have to beg for milk but he needed fodder for the cow. So he began to beg for fodder.

One day he thought, "Why not till the land around the hut? Then I won’t have to beg for fodder." So he began to till the land.

The yield was so great he had to hire labourers to help him. Then he thought, "I spend all my time supervising the labour. If I had a wife she could help me in this task." So he married. And had children. In course of time he became a wealthy landowner. 

One day a man asked him why he had given up his simple life to become a landowner and a householder.

He said, "It was the only way I could keep my  loincloth," said the former hermit sadly.