Amina's Idea
Discipline spreads, right? Like pollen on wind. If we move in one calm line—shoulder to shoulder, no shoving—others might copy us.
Amina and Murali were best friends in tenth-grade C division, the kind of duo who turned boring lunch breaks into biology debates. Both were obsessed with living things—how plants breathed, how insects tricked predators, how a single seed could outsmart a drought. So when their biology teacher announced a field trip to the city’s famous botanical garden, they practically vibrated with excitement.
Tuesday, 8 a.m., August heat already sticky. The school bus rumbled eighty kilometers north with windows rattling. Two hours later they spilled out into a sea of school uniforms, camera-clicking tourists, and the sweet, peppery smell of crushed marigolds underfoot. It was a crowded day there.
"We might not enjoy this much," a disappointed Murali said to Amina. She stared at the crowd without replying right away. Finally, their Teacher got entry tickets for everyone, and they went inside. The crowd was even thicker there.
The garden exploded with color and sound. A giant banyan tree stretched its aerial roots like green waterfalls. Orchids the size of dinner plates clung to bark, glowing neon pink and lemon yellow. Butterflies stitched the air in loops of sapphire and gold. A pond glittered with lily pads big enough to sit on, and koi fish flashed like living coins beneath. Somewhere, a peacock screamed, half laugh, half trumpet.
But the paths were a stampede. Kids darted between legs. Tourists blocked signs to snap selfies. Someone’s ice-cream cone splattered across Murali’s shoe.
"How can we see things properly in this mess?" Murali worried aloud to Amina. She agreed that a bit more order was needed. She was watching a line of ants marching single-file along a railing, unbothered by the chaos. An idea sparked.
“Hey,” she said, “what if we became the ants?”
Murali raised an eyebrow. “Explain, genius.”
“Discipline spreads, right? Like pollen on wind. If we move in one calm line—shoulder to shoulder, no shoving—others might copy us. Especially the other schools.”
"I'm not sure anyone will pay attention to us."
"Let's try, my friend."
"Okay, let's talk to our teacher."
They shared Amina's idea with the Teacher, who got excited and called it excellent. The message spread quickly among the students. Within minutes, C division formed a perfect column: two-by-two, hands behind backs, chins up like mini soldiers. They marched. At first, elbows jabbed. A tourist’s backpack clipped Amina’s ponytail. Then—
A fifth-grader from another school peeked over. “Cool! Can we join?”
Soon, three schools linked up. Then five. The line snaked past the cactus dome, where spiky giants stood like green porcupines, and the medicinal herb patch that smelled of mint and mystery. Each group paused exactly two minutes at every sign. Then tourists, amazed, fell in behind the students. The whole garden started flowing like a river instead of a riot.
At lunchtime, they sat in a circle around a large shade tree, where eating was allowed, and shared the food they'd brought. While munching, the Teacher and classmates praised Amina for her brilliant idea. Amina felt inspired by the kind words. They stayed exploring until evening.
On the bus ride back to school, Murali told Amina, "You're a real genius!"
"I should thank you for that," Amina replied.
"For what?" Murali asked.
"I could only share the idea with our Teacher because you supported me. Thanks, buddy!"
***
Life-Skills Introduced in This Chapter
Creative Problem-Solving: Coming up with practical ideas, like forming a disciplined group, to handle chaotic situations effectively.
Leading by Example: Demonstrating good behavior, such as staying organized in a crowd, to inspire others to follow and create positive change.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Discussing ideas with friends and teachers, then working together as a group to implement them successfully.
Persistence in Trying New Approaches: Willing to test an idea even when doubtful, to see if it can improve a challenging experience.
Gratitude and Mutual Support: Appreciating friends' encouragement and expressing gratitude for their unwavering support, which strengthens relationships.
