4. What is real and what is fake?

Time: At least two periods or till the teacher is satisfied.

Learning objective: To draw the attention of the students towards taking right decisions while maintaining harmonious relationships even in difficult times.

Start the class by mindfulness – ask the students to focus on their breath for 2-3 minutes.

Story
After Sohan’s father passed away, his family was reeling under a financial crisis. Sohan’s mother gave him her necklace and asked him to sell it at his Chacha’s shop. Sohan’s Chacha was a goldsmith. When Sohan showed the necklace to his Chacha, he examined the necklace and told Sohan, “The market is in a slump right now; sell it after a while.” Sohan was disappointed on hearing this but then his Chacha said, “You can work at my shop. In any case, I need a dependable assistant here.”
Sohan started learning work at the shop the very next day. He was taught to test diamonds and other precious stones. Gradually, he learnt how to test precious stones. After a few months, his Chacha said to him, “Now you may bring the necklace that you wanted to sell.”
When Sohan reached home and took the necklace from his mother, he realised it was fake! He ran to his Chacha’s shop and asked him, “Why didn’t you tell me the truth when I came to sell the necklace months ago.” On this, his Chacha said, “If at that time I’d have told you the truth, you’d have thought that in your tough time, even your Chacha is calling your precious necklace fake and is not wanting to help you. Today you know how to test jewellery and so you can tell the fake from the real yourself.”

Day 1

Proposed questions for discussion
1. By being able to recognise the right from the wrong does your happiness increase? How? Give an example.
2. Explain through any one example when like Sohan’s Chacha, someone said something to you initially and you may have not liked it. But later you realised the value of what the person said?
(For example, your teacher insists on sports class, but you thought of skipping that class. Later you realised that sports would help you build stamina and health)

At home – Observe, Enquire, Understand (for students)
  • Students discuss the story at home and understand the thoughts and views of their family members.
  • Students discuss with their family members if they have experienced a situation like this in their relationships.
Ask the students to sit quietly for 1-2 minutes and reflect on the essence drawn from the day’s discussion.

Day 2

Start the class by mindfulness – ask the students to focus on their breath for 2-3 minutes.
  • Have some students repeat the story.
  • Some other students can share their storytelling experiences at home.
  • The first day’s discussion questions can be used again for the remaining students.
Additional questions for discussion:
  • If in a situation, you have to choose between gaining a material thing and gaining a relationship, what would you choose and why?
  • Sohan’s Chacha didn't give him money but taught him how to distinguish between the real and the fake. Share an example from your life where you were happy because you got the wisdom to tell the right from the wrong.
Ask the students to sit quietly for 1-2 minutes and reflect on the essence drawn from the day’s discussion.

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