Some Amazing Prize-Winning Experiences During Summer Vacation

Unique Classroom Contest: An Amazing Summer Vacation Experience

Amazing summer vacation experience 

It was the school reopening day after summer vacation. The children had arrived on time with full preparation. They thought that the teacher should check the summer vacation task first, but nothing happened. Unlike usual, the teacher made a new demand. He asked the students to write or draw a picture about a new, amazing experience they had during their summer vacations.

Now, within thirty minutes, all the children had to write about something new they had experienced during their two and a half months. The children who stood first, second, and third were also to get a prize.

According to the teacher, it was not necessary to write an essay, but students could also give a picture of that amazing experience, and thus they could make their story better and more colorful. After these instructions, the teacher gave blank paper to all the children. After half an hour, the contest was to end.

All the students, in their own way, gave a good picture of a new wonderful experience. Someone wrote about Murree's chairlift trip, while someone else narrated a picnic on the bank of the Kunhar River along with river rafting in Naran.

A student presented a picture of the historic white palace of Murghazar in Swat, while another tried to draw the modern steel bridge on paper. He also mentioned that the bridge is situated on the way to Fort Munro, a picturesque hill station in Dera Ghazi Khan.

White Palace, Swat

Also, a girl recounted a new game played with her cousins in Lahore. This means that everyone tried their best to present their story in an interesting way, and indeed, everyone's experience was certainly beautiful, new, amazing, and important to him/her.

By the way, Swat is also called the Switzerland of Pakistan, and Fort Munro is also called the Murree of South Punjab, but still, the teacher did not find all these things very new. He believed that these places are already very famous and common, although there is no doubt about their beauty. But the children should write about something that is not so common here, and it should also be interesting.

The teacher even titled the competition something like "A New Amazing Summer Vacation Experience," so in order to secure first, second, and third positions, the students really had to come up with something more interesting.

After looking at everyone's paper in turn, the teacher encouraged everyone and prayed for more enjoyment in the next vacation. Then announced the names of the first three position children. The names of the position holders were "Mohed, Abdullah, and Nishat," respectively. All the students were eager to see the papers of these three.

3rd prize: Manchar Lake Boat House

First, Nishat's sheet was seen. She actually reflected an old dying tradition of fishermen. The picture looked really cute as well as dangerous too. Nishat had seen something new during these vacations that was new to her but actually very old. Perhaps even older than Harappa and Mohenjo-daro!

The picture displayed a boathouse. Yes! A house in the boat that always remains in the water of the lake. It was really interesting.

"Can someone really have a house on a boat that lives in the water? How dangerous, isn't it? How can they cook food by burning wood in a wooden boat?" A child asked.

"Yes, it is so; it is a very interesting scene to see, but also very difficult for the residents. I have seen not a single house but a whole village on this lake in Dadu," replied Nishat.

Boathouse

The teacher said that this lake is so attractive that when it gets very cold in Siberia, a region in Russia, birds migrate to it and return to their homeland as the weather changes.

"Bird migration is very interesting, but why do humans live here?" Asked a back bencher named Anwar.

"This is their centuries-old way. Their elders lived here. These people are fishermen. Over time, most people have moved their homes on land, but some families still maintain their tradition." The teacher provided some more information.

"Yes! It was one of the oldest ways to live, but nowadays they also use modern means to some extent. They light up their house in the darkness of night through the solar system and also charge their phone through the batteries. They keep their household items in their boathouse. It can be difficult to keep your valuables safe during a storm or dangerous weather. Also, they have to change the boat every two years," said Nishat.

"Nishat should really get a reward. She has added many new things to our knowledge, such as the boathouse, the old traditional village of fishermen, and the migrant birds." Anwar said in a joyful tone.

2nd Prize: Frozen Mango Kulfi

After Nishat, it was Abdullah's turn. Abdullah had experienced frozen mango kulfi during the vacation. He likes mangoes very much and according to him, sweetness in the mangoes should be on their peak.

First of all, Abdullah made a small cut on top of the mango. Then, gently took away the mango seed through this by spinning. Then milk was poured into it to fill the empty space. He had already cooked that milk on low heat and made it very thick, like a sweet condensed milk available in the market. Note that he did not peel the mango during all this work. After adding the milk, he froze the mango. After freezing like ice, the mango was removed and peeled. Then it was cut into small pieces. The white milk inside the mango looked very amazing. This beauty was further enhanced by dry fruits. The kulfi was very tasty.

Mango Kulfi

Abdullah shared the recipe with classmates. He said that during the vacations, he explored the world through the internet. He also observed the food and lifestyle of different places. This is how the kulfi was also introduced.

1st Prize: Bangladeshi Cycle Rickshaw

Mohed got first prize. The child went to Bangladesh for the first time to meet some of his relatives on vacation. He had a good trip there, but the picture he presented was not that of a fun place. He neither gave a glimpse of any shore nor spoke of Sundarban and Bandarban. He did not mention the beautiful tourist spots of Sylhet and did not write anything about the markets of Dhaka.

Another thing attracted Mohed there. He was observing the lifestyle of people. The cycle rickshaws of Bangladesh seemed a bit different from the Pakistani rickshaws. This ride became an unforgettable memory in his heart and mind. He felt that these rickshaws were interesting to look at for the first time as well as a testament to the hard work of man.

Although some of the rickshaws were motorised, the rickshaw he rode in Dhaka was driven by a human using his energy. He found it quite strange and novel, as well as a great masterpiece of human endeavour. He could have shown a picture of the Jaflong waterfall if he wanted, but for him, this rickshaw experience was the most important experience of this summer vacation. He made a sketch of this cycle rickshaw on paper and showed it to his classmates. In this impromptu competition in the school, Mohed won the first position.

Finally, the teacher said that such rickshaws are found in many countries besides Bangladesh. He said that they really show the difficult life of man, but they are signs of a hard-working society. He explained the difference between Pakistani and Bangladeshi rickshaws to the students. 

He also said that "the Bangladeshi cycle rickshaws are not commonly used here, but local people can use them for the transportation of grass, etc. on a very small scale in some villages of our Pakistan too. However, they are used as a common means of transport in the capital of Bangladesh and in major cities like Chittagong also. This particular type of traditional trishaw is used in all major and minor areas of Bangladesh."

Bangladeshi cycle rikshaw

Students enjoyed their school reopening day. They were happy. They thanked and appreciated their teacher, who increased their knowledge on the day by such a brain-storming technique through which they knew many things about our amazing world at the end of the day.

You can read more about Asia's 2nd large steel bridge on Wikipedia.