The Story of Macau

Macau

When the Portuguese explorers landed on the coast of a little Chinese island, they saw an ancient little temple, far off the coast. They walked until they reached the tiny village on the island.

“What is this temple called?” the Portuguese questioned the local people.

“A- ma- kow,” the people of the island answered because the temple was named after the godess A-ma; and ‘kow’ in Chinese means ‘temple’.

“A-ma- co? What a name.” the Portuguese marveled.

“This place will now be called Amakow after the temple!” The Portuguese ordered. The local people, much in awe of these new people, obeyed. The government of China allowed the Portuguese to take over, provided they returned the island to them in 1999. The Portuguese agreed. The Portuguese then took over the island of Amakow.

From then on, the little island was called Amakow. As the time passed, Amakow became Macow. Then, the people began calling it Macau. Macau began to prosper under the Portuguese rule. The Portuguese ways and customs took over, but the ancient Chinese culture also stayed. This mixed culture became known as Macanese culture.

Even the people became one, called the Macanese. The Portuguese modernized and improved Macau. The little island soon became a huge port. The people became richer, the little village became a town, then a huge, bustling city. But then, the Portuguese had to leave Macau, in 1999.

The Chinese took over, and allowed the people to live as they were. The little, wild, forest covered island had become a great modern metro city.

The Masai Warriors

The Masai

The Masai live in North Tanzania and Kenya. They are a traditional and amazing group of people, and one of the most well known tribes in Africa. They have many ancient stories and fables. Here is one of their most interesting ones:

The Origin of Death

In the beginning, there was no death. 

This is the story of how death began.

When Naiteru-Kop bought the first man, Leeyio to earth, he told him, "When a person dies, and you are called to throw the corpse away, remember to say, 'Man die and come back, moon die and go away.'"

When Leeyio was called to dispose the corpse of the neighbors dead child, he got confused and said, "Man die and go away, Moon die and come back again.'' 

So the body was disposed, and after a few months, Leeyio's own child died. He said, as he was disposing the body, "Moon die and go away, man die and come back again." 

Naiteru- kop, on hearing this, said to Leeyio, "When your neighbor's child died, you should have thought about this and said the words correctly. Now you are too late." 

So that is how death originated and why when the moon dies it comes back again, and when a man dies he doesn't return.

The Masai are a great warrior tribe, and one of the few tribes in Africa, who, even in the modern world, have still managed to live in their old, traditional ways and follow their old traditions. True, some Masai people have moved to towns, and cities for an easier life, but most still remain in their homeland. They live in their traditional mud huts, and tend to their cattle. 

Masai believe the rain God, Ngai, entrusted cattle to them, and cattle are wealth. They drink the blood of the cow, mixed with cow's milk. (Poor cow, giving milk, and getting killed and mixed with its own product!). Their huts, called Kraal, are surrounded by thorns, so wild animals can't get in. 

Masai language is called Maa. They use Animal skins and cushions of grass for comfort. The women make things out of beads: necklaces, headdresses, etc. Masai warriors are called 'Morani'. (Their words seem to begin with 'M' don't they?).

The Masai used to hunt wildlife in Kenya and Tanzania, but now it is banned. 

Tourists can meet and watch Masai at some National parks. (Hope Masai don't feel bad, being watched and protected like animals). 

The Masai are one of the most unique of all the great African Cultures.

The wonderful adventures of Bat Duck

Episode one-Bat Duck Begins….(with a blast!) 

“Boofey, what’s the latest news? What are we rescuing next? I want to use my Quack!”  Bat Duck called to Professor Boofey the cow.

“Grunt! Yeah my Snout’s getting rusted.” Piggy cried.

Bat Duck was a super Hero who had a Super Sonic Quack, which when used, could push things away from her. Piggy was her trusted helper who had a Snout, which when wagged, generated a smell which made people run away.

“Ummmm….. Hmmm. Gotcha!” the Professor cried. He had been working on his computer, searching for something to rescue.

“9 /11!” he continued.

“What…you need the Police? But we’re in India, the no. is 100.” Bat Duck said, confused.

“No!  Month no.9, September and day no. 11. Get it?” Professor explained.

“Um, so? It’s just some date.” Said Bat Duck.

“Grunt.” Piggy agreed.

“That’s not ‘just some date’, it’s the day the World Trade Center building crashed, when planes, hijacked by some terrorists, crashed into it.” Professor said.

“Oh. How’ll we save it, then?” Bat Duck said.

“Grunt, grunt. How?” Piggy echoed.

“Well… let’s just get into the time machine and arrive in New York first.” The Professor said as he climbed into the time machine, which had been invented by him 2 years ago. “Climb in!” he called to the other two. They clambered in. “So. Here we go……’’ said Professor. “Yep, here we go…….” Said Bat Duck. “Grunt, grunt, grunt…..” said Piggy.

They arrived in New York. “Ho Hum. Fine, it’s the right day, don’t know about the rest. Let me check.’’ Said the Professor. “Huh? There were four attacks? Oh, I get it; the one we’re saving is the one on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. OK.” The Professor announced.

“Fine, but which flights, what time and other small details…” said B.D. “It’s the United 175 and American 11 an-“

“GRUNT!” an urgent grunt from Piggy alerted him. 

“Look! Two planes are heading for two huge towers. OK. I’m changing to Super Hero mode. Come on Piggy. Be careful Professor.” B.D said, taking off, closely followed by Piggy.

“Good Luck!” the Professor called as they soared up into the sky. The two took off, soon becoming tiny specks in the distance.

“Sigh,” the Professor sat on a bench.

Meanwhile Bat Duck was in full Super Hero mode, wearing a pair of Black wings, a black cape and black mask. Piggy was wearing a pink mask and cape.

“ Ok, Piggy, I’ll stand in between the towers and quack as loudly as possible, you go in before me and try to make as many people as possible run off, safe from the danger.” Bat Duck told Piggy her plan.

“OK.” Piggy zoomed off, much ahead of her.

Meanwhile, Professor had been checking in his laptop about the 9 11. “Oh, so there were two attacks in New York, one in Arlington, Virginia near Washington, D.C, and one on

 A field in Shanks Ville, Penny Sylvania.”  The Professor learnt.

Back at the World Trade Center, Piggy had driven out as many people as possible, and Bat Duck was hovering in between the two towers, using her Super Sonic Quack as loud as possible. Inside the plane, a hijacker was getting slightly worried.

“Oh No, the plane is being pushed back by a strange force. These Americans have even made a strange device which activates this force for security. Well, well, they are very clever.” He worried.

In the next plane, another hijacker was having the same thoughts. “Why can I not ram into this building? What ever can be happening?”

Bat Duck was quacking as loud as possible. But she knew that she couldn’t hold them off forever… Inside, Piggy had given up on a few people who wouldn’t even budge. Suddenly, “Pssst! Piggy. Go close to the plane and use your powers!” the Professor’s voice comes in through the walkie talkie.

“Grunt!” Piggy took off to obey. The hijacker was put off by the smell, but didn’t give up.

“Ho Ho. I shall soon destroy this and go back in victory!” the hijacker thought. When Piggy tried the same thing with the second hijacker, the hijacker got a bit distracted, giving Bat Duck just enough time to move closer without getting shot, and to use her Super Sonic Quack much better. The effect of the Quack, so close, was that the plane got blasted off course, and landed right in the middle of its headquarters. The other hijacker  also got the same treatment.

“Good job.  Come back for a reward.” The Professor spoke through the walkie talkie. They joined him in the Time Machine.

“Great. But those Taliban will be back. Anyway, we’ll worry about that later.” The Professor, as he was speaking, pressed a button. They landed in front of a white building. “What? Where….” The Professor said. A grey Duck came to them. “You all did an awesome job. Oh, welcome to the HSH headquarters. HSH means ‘Historical Super Heroes’,” He said. “Follow me.” He led them inside the building. They entered a door marked, ‘CEO’. A brown cow was sitting in a chair.

“Welcome. I am Dave Bull, CEO of HSH. We have decided to make you three agents of the HSH. You shall travel the past, and help stop incidents; and especially fight against a wicked organization, called the HHH, which is Haters of Historical heroes. They, we think, have controlled various incidents, to rule the world, and stop us. It is our, and now your, job to stop them.” Dave finished. “Oh, by the way call me D.” he added.

“Ok, D. On it. Please call us next time if you have a mission ready.” Bat Duck called as they left and boarded the Time Machine. When they arrived back in the farmyard, Molly Maddock was yelling at the animals. Molly was the stupid niece of the farmer, who liked animals, but wanted to kill them because of the work they made her do.

“Oi, you bunch! Get back to your own enclosures,” she yelled at them, and herded Piggy and Professor off. Bat Duck changed out of superhero mode, Molly hadn’t seen her because humans couldn’t see it.

“Well. I hope we have another rescue soon!” Bat Duck sighed, and waddled off…

dear everybody,
I've created a new character! Hope you have a blast with bat duck!
love,
Devanshika{ the last one is Piggy. You'll find out who he is}

The Incredible India Gate

The India gate was built as a memorial to all the dead soldiers who ever died in wars for India. Some of the bravest soldiers’ names are carved on the side of the India gate. The Amar Jawan Jyoti, the fire that is lit in the middle of the gate, is the fire that burns eternally in the memory of the soldiers, the ‘Jawans’ as the name says. The Fire is lit every year on Republic day. Today, the India gate is a major tourist spot in Delhi. It is one of India’s most famous monuments. In the night, it is one of the most beautiful sights in the world, glowing orange with the light of the fire.

Here are a few answers to some common questions about the India gate.

1.    How do they carve the new names of new brave soldiers?

Ans. They don’t. Even if they are not carved in the India gate, their names are still remembered in the hearts of the people of India. (Their ghosts and families must be disappointed, huh?)

2. What is the difference between the Gateway of India, which is in Mumbai, and The India Gate?

Ans. The India gate is a memorial, whereas The Gateway of India is a welcoming monument. The Gateway was built in the times of the British rule in India because Mumbai was the only port and the only way to get to India. (Aero planes hadn’t been invented, you know). The Gateway was built so that anyone who visited India had to pass through it as a mark of respect (hmmmm…Wonder if you could go around it?)

3. Why is their so much security around the India Gate? (After all, it isn’t a gate, really, or door)

Ans. It is to protect the memory of the soldiers. If India was under attack, the enemy can’t blow up our India gate. (Unless, of course, they went over the India gate in a plane and dropped a bomb. But who would go to such trouble for one, small memorial?)  A lot of people would. It is not only a mark of respect to the dead soldiers; it also gives courage to the other soldiers. The soldiers would think “Oh, this person went to war and died so bravely, and I’m such a wimp. I’m going to fight bravely and die like them.” It also inspires other people to join the army.

Those people would think “Oh, this person fought and died in battle so bravely, and so many are fighting for our country, let me also be like them and be remembered.’’ (Obviously, these people didn’t know that their names don’t get carved into the India gate. Their ghosts and family will also be disappointed) so, if the India gate was destroyed, the Indian army also.

4. On republic day, why is the India gate on the route of the parade?

Ans. The Republic day is to symbolize India and its history. The India gate is one of the main landmarks in Indian history. That is why the India gate is on the route of the republic day parade.

The India gate is a memorial of bravery and I am inspired by it. I enjoyed seeing it and I hope you liked this article about it.

DEVANSHIKA BAJPAI.

The Legend Of The Lion

The Legend Of The Lion
The legend of the city of Singapore

Once upon a time, there lived a brave and valiant prince called Sang Nila Uttama of the great Sri Vijaya empire. One day, he decided to go on a sea voyage to discover different and amazing lands. Before he set off, his father, the king, gave him a bejeweled Crown. After some time, he and his crew saw a far off island.

The Prince asked, “What is that island?”

One of his crew members answered, “That is the fisher village of Temasek, your majesty”.

“Let us explore it, then,” said the prince.

But, as soon as they neared the island, the sea became rough. Strong winds blew and it seemed as if the evil spirits were against them. All the prince’s crew were huddled together, terrified. But the prince knew what he must do. He threw his bejeweled crown into the sea, as a gift to the sea spirits. Immediately, the sea became calm and they were able to set anchor on the island. As soon as they got off the ship, they were confronted with a strange beast, a lion, but the prince and his crew didn’t know what a lion was. So, the prince drew out his sword and went forward to kill him.

But as the prince looked into the lion‘s eyes, a moment of understanding came between the lion and the prince. Slowly, the lion moved away and allowed the prince and his crew to enter the island.  

 

“From now on, this island shall be known as Singapura, after the beast that guards it,” announced the prince.

And to this day, on the coins of the city, it is written as Singapura, not Singapore.
 

The symbol of Singapore

In the year 1966, the Singapore tourism board decided that Singapore needed a new symbol  as an attraction. So, the merlion was created. The lion head of the merlion symbolizes the legend of Singapura and how the city got its name. The tail of a fish symbolizes the many blessings of the sea that Singapore has, and of the way Singapore has flourished as a seaport.

There are two Merlion in Singapore - the one at Sentosa island which is eight storeys tall and there are balconies the head and mouth .The view from the head’s balcony is an amazing view, in which you can see the whole of Singapore.

It was a pleasure to meet the Merlion and I look forward to seeing it again!