Introduction
Wastefulness is using more than what’s needed or not valuing the things we have, whether it’s food, time, or money. It leads to unnecessary loss and can harm both people and the environment.
Help Nikhil at School
In school, Nikhil was always wasting paper. He would doodle on fresh sheets and then throw them away, leaving his notebooks half-used.
One day, his teacher gave a lesson on the importance of conserving resources. She showed the class how much paper was being wasted and explained how trees were cut down to make it.
Nikhil felt guilty when he realized how his actions affected the environment.
He decided to be more careful with paper, using both sides of every sheet and recycling when possible. Soon, his friends followed his example, and their class became known for being eco-friendly.
Help Meera at Home
At home, Meera would often waste food by taking large portions and not finishing them. Her mother would remind her that many people don’t have enough to eat, but Meera didn’t listen.
One evening,
“they visited a charity where they helped serve food to less fortunate families. Meera saw firsthand how grateful the people were for even a simple meal.”
This experience made Meera realize the value of food and how wrong it was to waste it. She promised to be more mindful, taking only what she needed and not letting food go to waste.
Reference from Panchatantra Stories
In the Panchatantra, there’s a story about a greedy monkey who wasted all the food it found, thinking it would always have more. Eventually, food became scarce, and the monkey was left hungry while other animals, who had saved and shared their food, survived the drought. The monkey learned that being wasteful leads to regret.
Thirukural Couplets
“The wise do not waste; they preserve and share what they have, knowing that resources are finite.”
— Thirukural 517
- Use Resources Wisely: Only take what you need—whether it’s food, water, or materials—and avoid wasting.
- Reuse and Recycle: Find ways to repurpose or recycle items instead of throwing them away.
- Be Mindful of Others: Remember that not everyone has access to the same resources, so use what you have responsibly.
Why did the trash can go to school?
Because it wanted to learn how to stop being wasteful! 🗑️😄
