“The moon keeps changing shape but is always the moon - what part of you stays the same no matter what?”
The poem evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity in children. It makes the children think beyond their immediate world and explore outer space. It also tells us that we can be whatever we want to be. M
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Chandamama
Think · Ask · Discuss · Act · Achieve
Think
• Do you see the sun and the moon, the stars, and the clouds every day and think about them?
• Why do you think the moon changes its shape?
Ask
• Does the moon disappear during the day? Where does it go?
Discuss
• Would you like to go to outer space or the moon one day? Why or Why not?
“Animals in cages look at us looking at them - who is really watching whom?”
The story is about the animals in the zoo which ends with a thought-provoking question being asked to the reader whether the animals like to be in the zoo.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
At The Zoo
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Think
• Do you think the animals like to live in a zoo? Why? Why not?
Ask
• According to you, where should wild animals live? Give reasons.
Discuss
• Do zoo visitors truly learn about wildlife and conservation during their zoo visits, or does the
Act
• Divide your class into two groups and have a debate on whether the animals should live in the zoo or
Achieve
• Find out ways in which people can be educated about wildlife and conservation without keeping
“Play is serious work in disguise - what do you learn when you play that school doesn't teach you?”
The story centers around Ayesha, a young girl who shares her interests and limitations with the readers. Ayesha’s story tells us to accept our limitations and celebrate life.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Playing
Think · Ask · Discuss · Act · Achieve
Think
• What is special about you?
• What is special about Ayesha?
Ask
• Have you helped anyone? How?
Discuss
• Should we be friends with all kinds of children? Should we be kind? Should we treat all people in the
Act
• Share the games you will play with Ayesha and your friends.
Achieve
• Kindness is an important quality. We need to be kind and respect not just human beings but also
“Gatila holds stories only some eyes can see - what does your home hold that the rest of the world doesn't know?”
This story is about a cow named Gatila who is not happy with her colour. She tries to change it in different ways but learns that her colour is the best. The story teaches us that it's important to be
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
My Gatila
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Think
• How are Gatila and her friends different?
• Are you special? How?
Ask
• Are your friends different from you? Do we like friends only because they are like us?
Discuss
• Should we celebrate differences? Why?
Act
• Write five things you would like to tell Gatila.
Achieve
• Write five things that are common between you and your friends. Also, write five differences between
“To be free is to choose - what is one thing you would choose differently if you felt more free?”
The story explores the theme of freedom, fairness, and fearlessness in the animal kingdom.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Free
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Think
• Do animals help each other and share things?
• Can animals teach us about freedom, fairness, and bravery?
Ask
• Do animals protect their families?
Discuss
• What can we learn from animals? Discuss.
Act
• Help keep the places where animals live clean and safe.
Achieve
• Understand how animals live and what we can learn from them.
Gender, Equity, Environment, Kindness, STEM
StoryPedagogy® Field Guidelearn.katha.org
Card 22Ants Are Small But That’S Not AllEarth 🌍
Story 22 · Katha 300M
Ants Are Small But That’S Not All
Ants Are Small But That's Not All
✦ Explorer Box
“Ants carry ten times their weight - what is something small about you that holds more than people think?”
The story describes the lives of ants and how they live in an organised community, and everyone has a specific role. The story talks about teamwork and collaboration.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Ants Are Small But That’S Not All
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Think
• How do you think ants find their way around without getting lost?
• If you were an ant, what kind of job would you like to do in the ant community?
Ask
• Can ants talk to each other? How do they work together?
Discuss
• Is it important to work together? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Discuss.
Act
• Using SUGGESTED MATERIALS like clay, cardboard, or even sand, build a simple ant nest with tunnels
“Sometimes having less helps you see more - what would you give up to see more clearly?”
The main idea of this story is to contrast the outcomes of two different approaches to family planning and land distribution in two villages, A and B, versus villages C and D. Village A and B's decisi
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
More Is Less Less Is More
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Think
• Imagine you were a member of village A or B. How would you feel about the decision to limit the
• number of babies? What do you think would be the benefits and challenges?
Ask
• What do you think happens when a village has too many people and not enough land?
Discuss
• Discuss how the decisions made by the villages affected their populations and land. Which set of
Act
• Works in groups of four.
Achieve
• Create a Nukkad Natak based on the story and present it in your neighbourhood.
Gender, Equity, Environment, Kindness, STEM
StoryPedagogy® Field Guidelearn.katha.org
Card 24Clouds And WavesWater 💧
Story 24 · Katha 300M
Clouds And Waves
✦ Explorer Box
“Clouds and waves are always changing shape - what in your life is always in motion?”
Cloud and Waves is a beautiful poem about a child and her imagination. On one hand, the child longs to explore and connect with the elements of nature around her. On the other hand, she wants to be wi
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Clouds And Waves
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Think
• Imagine you could play with the clouds like the child in the poem. What games or activities would you
• invent to play with the clouds?
Ask
• If you could play in the clouds or be the moon, what exciting things would you do?
Discuss
• How do you think the child in the poem feels when imagining these adventures with the clouds and
Act
• Draw a picture of your dream adventure with the clouds or waves. Show how you would play and what
Achieve
• Collect leaves, flowers, and other natural SUGGESTED MATERIALS from your surroundings. Create a
Gender, Equity, Environment, Kindness, STEM
StoryPedagogy® Field Guidelearn.katha.org
Card 25The Gijjigaadus And The FirefliesFire 🔥
Story 25 · Katha 300M
The Gijjigaadus And The Fireflies
The Gijjigaadus and the Fireflies
✦ Explorer Box
“Fireflies light up the dark without being asked - how do you bring light when things feel dark?”
Once upon a time, there were golden sparrows who wanted light for their nests. They flew to the Kingdom of Gods, and the Gods asked fireflies for help. The fireflies agreed and told the sparrows to bu
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
The Gijjigaadus And The Fireflies
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Think
• Imagine you were one of the golden sparrows. How would you feel about your dark nest, and what
• solutions would you come up with?
Ask
• If you were a golden sparrow, what would you say to Devuda?
Discuss
• Is it important to help each other? Why? Support your answer with real-life examples.
Act
• Use SUGGESTED MATERIALS like clay or paper to build a small nest. Decorate it with small lights or
Achieve
• Research on different kinds of insects and their importance. Make a collage and present it in front of
“Kuttan looked everywhere before finding happiness nearby - where have you been looking for something that was close all along?”
Kuttan wakes up to find his cousins excited. They see something yellow in the leaves. Kuttan tries to act like a grown-up but forgets what it is. He calls it "Happiness" because it makes people happy.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Kuttan Finds Happiness
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Think
• If you could give another name to flowers, what would you call it?
Ask
• Do flowers make us happy? Why? Why not?
Discuss
• Kuttan learned that everyone can be right sometimes and everyone can be wrong sometimes. What
Act
• Go for a nature walk. Look at the plants, flowers and trees and try to give them names.
Achieve
• Write a short poem about the "Happiness" flowers and how they make people feel joyful.
“The polar bear lives on ice that is melting - what would you protect if you knew it was disappearing?”
The story is narrated by the photographer, Norbert Rosing who meets a polar bear. He is pleasantly surprised to see how his dogs and the polar bear become friends.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Polar Bear
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Think
• Polar bears are our friends. But their world is getting smaller. Why?
• How do you think polar bears stay warm in such cold environments?
Ask
• Where do Polar bears live?
Discuss
• What happened when the ice tray was kept in a warm room?
Act
• How does climate change affect you?
Achieve
• List down the steps you will take to avoid climate change.
“Colour changes everything it touches - what colour has changed something in your life?”
The story is about how people have different colours. It tells that human skin comes in various shades due to the presence of a pigment called melanin, which colours our skin, eyes, and hair.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Colour
Think · Ask · Discuss · Act · Achieve
Think
• Imagine you had a different skin colour. Do you think that would make you a different person?
Ask
• Which part of the world do you live in? Look at the people around you in your community. Do all
Discuss
• What would happen if everyone in the world had the same skin colour?
Act
• Make a poster of people of different skin colours. Write a slogan for it.
Achieve
• Make artwork using lots of different colours. Show it to your family and friends.
“The crocodile waits, and watches, and then - when do you wait patiently for the right moment?”
This story is about a brave boy named Raja who lives in a small village. One day, he finds a big crocodile near his house that he's worried might eat their fish. So, Raja, with the help of his grandpa
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Crocodile
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Think
• Why do you think Raja wanted to set the crocodile free instead of letting others harm it?
• How did Raja demonstrate problem-solving skills when he wanted to catch the crocodile?
Ask
• What might have happened if Raja had not sought his grandfather's help?
Discuss
• How did the community's response to the situation with the crocodile change throughout the story?
Act
• Make your community aware of the value of interconnectedness: The crocodile's return to the same
Achieve
• Cultivate a sense of gratitude for the natural world. Plant trees.
“Seventeen syllables, a whole world - what moment in your life could you fit into three short lines?”
Haiku is a special kind of Japanese poem with three lines. It follows a pattern of 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second, and 5 in the third. Haikus capture quick moments in nature, showing h
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Haiku
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Think
• What does the word, ‘Basant’ remind you of?
• Which other animals change colours besides the chameleon?
Ask
• How can we preserve nature?
Discuss
• Do you ever change the way you act or look in different places? Why?
“Sweetness is not just taste - where do you find sweetness on a hard day?”
The Rig Veda prayer is like a special wish or blessing. It hopes for a life filled with good things, like happy experiences, truth, harmony, lots of good things, and the beauty of nature.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Sweetness
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Think
• What does ‘sweetness’ mean to you?
• What do you pray for?
Ask
• What is the prayer for?
Discuss
• What do you think the wind and rivers would say if they could talk?
Act
• How can you be kind and make someone's day sweeter?
Achieve
• Do at least one act of kindness everyday. For example: helping others, feeding stray animals, helping
“The mirror shows a face but not a story - what does your mirror not know about you?”
The story is about feelings and accepting oneself.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Who’S In The Mirror?
Think · Ask · Discuss · Act · Achieve
Think
• Do you like friends who get angry with you? Or are always finding fault? What should you be, to be a
Ask
• What do your friends do when they get angry?
Discuss
• Is it alright to show your emotions? Why? Why not?
Act
• Write a letter to your friend 1. Think first! What will you say? 2. Find out lots of nice things about
Achieve
• List out five things you do when you get angry.
Gender, Equity, Environment, Kindness, STEM
StoryPedagogy® Field Guidelearn.katha.org
Card 44PassionSpace ✨
Story 44 · Katha 300M
Passion
✦ Explorer Box
“Passion is the thing that makes you forget to eat - what makes you forget everything else?”
The story talks about things and tasks people love to do. Passion is when you really, really love something and it makes you very happy. It's like feeling strongly about something you like to do or ca
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Passion
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Think
• Why do doing some things make people happy?
• How do you discover what you are passionate about?
Ask
• What is it that you really love to do?
Discuss
• Is it important to have passions? Why? Why not?
Act
• Talk to your family and friends and interview them.
Achieve
• Think of a project you could do that combines your passion with helping others or your community.
“When prices rise, some people cannot eat - who carries the cost of things you never think about?”
The story talks about why and how prices rise. Prices of things like rice go up because sometimes there's not enough, more people want them, or new rich families are willing to pay more.
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Why Prices Rise
Think · Ask · Discuss · Act · Achieve
Think
• Think of a time when your parents discussed the rise in prices of everyday items at home. Which
• items did they discuss? How did they sound?
Ask
• What is inflation? Ask your parents, if there was something they could not buy for you because of
Discuss
• How does inflation affect your life?
Act
• Make a list of essential goods
Achieve
• Choose your own essential need ( eg: vegetable/fruit, grains/dals etc). Make a note of its price
“Even a hippopotamus gets the hiccups - what big, embarrassing thing makes you most human?”
This story is about a hippopotamus named Hawasi who ends up in a jungle far from his home in Africa. He gets hiccups, and the animals in the jungle try different ways to help him. They discover that a
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
Hic!Copotamus
Think · Ask · Discuss · Act · Achieve
Think
• Think of the time when you had hiccups. How did you feel? How did the hiccup go away? Did
• anybody help you?
Ask
• What do you do when you have a problem?
Discuss
• Why should we protect wildlife? Discuss ways to protect wildlife.
“Aan knows her name holds a whole people - what does your name hold that most people never ask about?”
This story is about family, community, and belonging. It shows how elephants, like Aan, grow and go through different parts of life, all while being part of a close-knit group. In the story, caretaker
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
I Am Aan
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Think
• Have you ever seen an elephant?
• Where did you see the elephant?
Ask
• Why do elephants live in a herd?
Discuss
• What are the similarities between humans and elephants?
Act
• List 5 things that we learn from elephants.
Achieve
• Imagine you are Aan as a young elephant. Create a journal entry or a short story describing a
“Agar-Magar's biggest difference became his most famous thing - what makes you different and wonderful?”
This story is about Agar-Magar, a friendly crocodile who loves to smile and show his big teeth. At first, people are scared because his teeth are so big. But when he goes to the city, a photographer t
Katha StoryPedagogy®Child First · Story First · Joy First
The Famous Smile
Think · Ask · Discuss · Act · Achieve
Think
• Why was Agar Magar so proud of his teeth?
• Why didn’t the animals notice Agar Magar teeth?
Ask
• Why do we need teeth?
Discuss
• Why is it important to take care of our teeth?
Act
• Find some natural ways to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Achieve
• Spread the message of personal hygiene. In your area, organize a campaign where you teach people