In faraway Persia, the New Year begins on the first day of spring. Every year on this day a man named Uncle New Year puts on his felt hat, ties his blue sash, and walks to the city with a cane in his hand. He visits every home in Persia, bringing the New Year to the people.

Just outside the gate to the city lies one of the prettiest gardens in all Persia. Fruits of every kind grow there. Around the garden's edge are planted bushes of flowers, and every year at the beginning of spring their buds burst into pink and golden blossoms. Roses bloom in the garden in countless numbers. The rose is called the "ever-spring flower" in Persia, because each blossom is as fresh and beautiful as the first day of spring.

The owner of the garden is a cheerful old woman. She has never seen Uncle New Year, but each year on the first day of spring she waits eagerly for him, hoping that this time she will meet him when he comes to her garden. She rises earlier than the sun on this day, and she carefully makes all the special preparations for Uncle New Year's visit. First she washes her face and makes her bed and sweeps out her house. When everything is tidy inside, she brings out her silken carpet and spreads it on the veranda. Then she waters the bushes of flowers the narcissus and marigold, violet and rose, tulip, iris, and morning glory. She tends the roses most carefully, because they are Uncle New Year's favorite flowers.

After she has watered her garden, the old woman walks over to the tiled pool near the veranda. Brightly colored fish swim in the clear, fresh water fetor the old woman feeds the fish, she turns on the fountain that flows from the middle of the pool.

The fountain sends a cool spray high in the air, and the leaves and flowers in the garden are covered with tiny droplets of water: Next the old woman sets her silver-rimmed mirror on the veranda. She combs her long white hair and ties a golden scarf around her head. Over her dress she puts on a fine vest of richly patterned silk.

Then the old woman lights a fire in the stove and brings out a water pipe. In the base of the pipe she lays some rose petals. Then she carries a large tray out to the veranda. On this tray she arranges seven objects whose names begin with the letter "S". Seven crystal dishes filled with seven kinds of candy surround the tray. In every home across the land, objects just like these are set out to welcome Uncle New Year.

At last the old woman is ready, and she sits on the carpet to wait for Uncle New Year.

At last the old woman is ready, and she sits on the carpet to wait for Uncle New year.

The old woman waits for Uncle New Year because whoever meets him will grow young again, just as the earth grows young again each spring.

This year, as every year, Uncle New Year does not come right away. Slowly the old woman's eyelids grow heavy, and she starts to doze. Soon she is asleep, dreaming that she is meeting Uncle New Year at last.

At the moment when the woman falls asleep, Uncle New Year enters the garden.

This year, as every year, he sees the old woman smiling in her dreams, and he does not have the heart to waken her. Instead, he picks the most beautiful rose from the garden and gently puts it besides the old woman.

Next he takes a piece of fruit from the large tray and cuts it in half. One half he eats with some sugar, and the other he returns to the tray for the old woman. Then he uses two coals from the fire to light the water pipe. After a few moments, Uncle New Year leaves the garden to continue his journey to the city.

This year, as every year, the sun slowly rises above the treetops, filling the garden with light and melting the droplets of water on the leaves and flowers. When the bright sunshine reaches the veranda and touches the old woman's face, she awakes with a start. She rubs her eyes and sees the half-eaten fruit Uncle New Year has left behind. I have missed him again, she says sadly.

Perhaps one spring the old woman will remain awake and meet Uncle New Year at last. Then, like the rose, she will be as fresh as spring itself to the end of time.

Grandpa's Gift on Eid

I have received many gifts from my family and friends. But the gift I love most is a little red torch given to me by my grandfather.

It was grandpa's birthday last March 21 (Eid). He does not like gifts and celebrations but I had secretly planned a gift and a card for him. When I gave him his gift a memo-pad and pen, he had a bigger surprise for me! It was the torch.

This torch is a pocket-size one with no switches. When we rotate the head of the torch the bulb glows. To switch it off we have to rotate the head again. I used the torch whenever I could.

Whenever the power went off, I would rush with it to switch on the generator. It would help me to search for my books in my cupboard. I would carry it while walking around in the garden at night. I was even planning to take it with me to a wildlife sanctuary during the summer vacation. I kept it carefully.

Now the torch has become very, very precious to me. I did not know that this was the last gift my grandpa was going to give me. He passed away unexpectedly last month. Whenever I see the torch I remember his smiling face. I fell both sad and happy at the sight of my torch. Sad that I can never spent many wonderful moments with him. Pain and joy often come together.

I know that I will cherish the torch always. I tell myself that I will follow all the good things my grandpa has taught me. Thank you grandpa for such a lovely gift.

Thank you for every thing.

Looking After Myself on Eid

Oh, what fun

To race with the sun!

When I'm out of bed,

The sun's not out yet.

Little kitten, don't run away.

See what I'm going to wear today.

I put on my socks and shoes so bright.

Do you think I look all right?

I always make the bed myself

And never need my mummy's help

I spread my bedsheet nice and flat

And give my pillow a little pat.

I brush my teeth and wash my face,

Then I go and comb my hair

And tie a big red ribbon there.

When I smile in the mirror, I see

Another face smiling back at me to make my porridge nice and hot,

I warm it in a great big pot.

I will finish eating soon,

Then I'll wash my bowl and spoon.

With my toys I take great care

Not to leave them here and there.

If a toy gets broken in two,

I stitch it up or mend it with glue.

I get some soap and water and rub

My hankies and socks in a big washtub.

When they're clean, I hang them high

When all is done, I sing to myself:

How nice it is to look after myself!

upon a bamboo pole to dry.

Then I go and sweep the room

With a dustpan and a broom.

I dust and clean as well as I can,

So that everything's spic and span.

Then out into the garden I go

To water the flowers and see them grow.

Spring

Spring is the season of delight and cheer,

Beauty and color is seen far and near,

Blooming flowers show majesty and grace,

Half blooming bud unveils its face,

Elegant trees are in green and fine dress,

The atmosphere is full of adore and freshness,

The land, covered in a green velvet sheet, is one of the nature's most bewitching feat,

Chirping birds fly in the air,

Make the surrounding of gay and rare,

Spring, the prettiest gift of nature,

Leaves behind a boundless joy for the creature

Dear young readers,

Holidaying is also profitable for provided it doesn't affect your studies.

This is just the right time to remind you of good eating habits. With the holidays coming on you will no doubt be provided with plenty of goodies by your parents at home. My advise to you is to take it easy and keep in control. Good food is alright as long as you get in the needed amounts of vitamins, minerals and so on needed for healthy growth.

Too much of anything can be a good thing and a bad thing too. I don't want you all to become food faddist only take care.

Please accept my greetings on this occasion and allow me to share your happy moments.

Yours, Aunt Imelda