When I was ten years old, summer began with unexpected news: my parents sent me to stay with my uncle in the village for a month. I was a little nervous because we had rarely met before and were not close. My uncle greeted me with a smile and a firm handshake. We arrived at his place and a cozy house and a spacious yard with a vegetable garden and a barn were waiting for me. From the first day, I began to help my uncle: we worked in the garden, fed the chickens and took care of the cow. But the most interesting thing is that my uncle had a small apiary, and he decided to teach me beekeeping. The first day at the apiary, I was scared. Bees seemed scary and dangerous to me, and I didn't know how to approach them. But my uncle calmly explained to me that bees are hardworking and wise creatures, and they will not cause harm if they are not disturbed. We put on our protective suits and got to work. My uncle showed me how to properly handle hives, collect honey and take care of bees. One day, when my uncle went to work, I was left alone in the apiary. Suddenly I saw that one of the hives was leaning over and was about to fall. Without hesitation, I hurried to rectify the situation. It was scary, the bees got excited and started spinning. But I remembered my uncle's words that the main thing is not to be afraid and to remain calm. I carefully leveled the hive and calmed the bees. When my uncle returned, he praised me for my bravery and responsibility. This situation taught me an important lesson: fear can be overcome by acting confidently and calmly, and also showed the importance of being ready to help in a difficult situation and take responsibility. These summer days not only taught me new skills, but also helped me become bolder and more confident. When I returned home, I began to look at the world in a different way: I realized that problems are just trials that help us grow and become stronger.

August. There are only a few days left until the announcement of the entrance exam results. A thousand different thoughts filled Lola's mind. This is the second time she is applying to the university. Because of this, her heart was restless, and her anxiety gave her no peace. The thought "I must have passed..." kept running through her mind. If a well-educated girl graduates from school, suitors will immediately line up at her door. Nafisa, by nature a difficult person like her sister, could not openly tell her parents about her wishes and plans. The suitors who came to ask for her hand were not turned away. Last week, a close friend of her father came to ask for her hand on behalf of his son. This time, Holmat's decision was firm: "Daughter, I liked the guests who came for dinner. If you are not accepted, if you fail again, you will be married..." After seeing the results of the exam, it was as if ice water had been poured over the girl's head. In the middle of autumn, the sound of the Bridal Chorus was heard from Nafisa's house...

While the girl was preparing a lesson in her room, suddenly there were shouts in the living room. Then her mother came to her, whose face was as pale as gauze, and she was exhausted. "Nilu, come out to the park with your brother," she said trembling. Nilufar quickly took the umbrella and went out, waking up his brother who was sleeping in the other room. For the first time, poor girl walked around the children's park carelessly and quietly. Because she did not want to be separated from her parents or her adopted brother.

Well, The essay of mine is based on overcoming conflicts in my personal life. If I reveal something about my personality, character or lifestyle, I am such a calm, peace, introvert , relaxed person I can say , not having upsetterd the people is one of my manner, because, my character prevent to them, definitely you have a question, why am I writing or exposing my character in that essay, so to explain I have encountered so many problems, conflicts, issues and longitude considerations. Relatively, I am absolutely say as one of the minor member of this generation -people especially youngsters do not want to respect others, genuinely I had had some kind of conflicts with children, individuals and school organization that year, I am going to speak about them one by one in my essay. Initially, my personal character has caused many misunderstandings with schoolers during my school years, for example I do not fancy having a conversation with the people who are irresponsible, irresistible, irrespective, rough, rude and also stupid , nonetheless, we must have admitted these types of people are more and more around us, once upon a time , when I have paid a visit to school in the back years , some teens in my school had kidding me and say something worse about me, at that time I did not give pay attention to their stereotypes, I though it was a simple childish things of them , but it was not going that I thought , due to their permeant , usual sentences, then it was reached to the high volume and I should have done something to prevent these bad things for me , at this time I had a few conceptions to get rid of their violations or bullying, genuinely you cannot say only done of the bad words, or actions must not be a violation, nevertheless it was not like you thought , therefore I have three ways to figure out this conflict, first of I can utilize adequate manipulations to their psychology , coz if they had had a good personality, they wouldn't have behaviored themselves in this way , in this situation, only did we influence them with the true and impactful opinions and conversation, it was likely to be influencer , or just I ought to address to their guardians or parents, if I was not able to mange it , I would call their parents, so that I have selected the initial manner in the light of straightforward and easy one.Next day I did come across again to them in the prior corridor, tranquility was really dominated at that condition, they bound to reveal some of nasty or unacceptable sayings again and again, after that I had been trying to have a top-notch and real conversation with them, I requested them why they were doing it to me , I had spoken about their life, be a merciful person, like how??? you have a question like that , I brought them to the orphanages' house firstly, then we went to the refugee's ones and punerity locations which poor people reside. Then I said it was not too complex to be better individ , every person has a admirable personality, favourable hobbies, closest acquaintances who is able to shape that person from the core. After this phenomenal situation, every member of his "crew " left there without any words , genuinely they realized that we must have been thankful, respectful, and responsible human, we must take a look for the significant issues around our world , they understood, by kidding someone or embarrassed condition they did not attain their perspectives, it is such an ordinary, provisional feeling. I was both happy to influence for someone to find out the significance of their life why they are living in this life, what the importance of their goals dreams and, indispensably, to be grateful person , due to the fact that's not only did they do these actions for me but also for others, that's why I did these campaigns manners to them, it was beneficial for everyone who were suffering from them , because everyone has a right to live proudly, independently.

In the vast expanse where stories begin, Amidst the chaos and the din, A journey unfolds, both daunting and grand, Of finding your way in this vast, sprawling land. There once was a soul, lost and adrift, In the labyrinth of life, caught in its drift. With eyes that mirrored the starlit sky, Yet within, a storm brewed, ready to defy. He wandered aimlessly, through streets unknown, His heart heavy, his spirit overthrown. In the heart of the city, where dreams take flight, He sought refuge from the endless night. Every step he took echoed a silent plea, To find his place, his sanctuary, to be free. But the city's noise drowned out his cry, As he gazed upon the endless sky. The stars above, distant and cold, Seemed to mock his struggles, untold. Yet amidst the chaos, a whisper faint, Guided him forward, through fear and constraint. Through bustling crowds and empty streets, He walked, his journey bittersweet. For every smile, every tear he shed, Led him closer to the path ahead. In the depths of despair, he found a spark, A glimmer of hope in the endless dark. With each dawn, a promise anew, That his dreams, his desires, would come true. But the road ahead was fraught with strife, Filled with trials that tested his very life. Yet he pressed on, his spirit unbroken, With faith as his guide, his words unspoken. Through storms that raged and winds that howled, He weathered the tempest, his resolve unbowed. For in the heart of adversity's snare, He found the strength to rise and dare. And so he journeyed, through valleys deep, Where shadows danced and secrets keep. He scaled the mountains, he crossed the seas, In search of a truth that would set him free. With every step, he grew stronger still, As he embraced the power of his own will. For in the crucible of pain and strife, He discovered the essence of his own life. Through laughter and tears, he learned to see, The beauty of his own humanity. For in the depths of his darkest night, He found the courage to embrace the light. And as he reached the end of his quest, He realized that he was truly blessed. For in finding his way in the big world, He had discovered the essence of his own unfurled. In the vast expanse where stories cease, He found his home, his lasting peace. For in the journey, he had come to find, That the truest home lies within, forever kind. The world may be vast, the journey long, But within us, we carry a song. A melody of hope, of love, of grace, Guiding us forward, to find our place. So when the night seems dark and cold, And the journey ahead seems bold, Remember the soul who dared to roam, And found his way, to a place called home. © Akhmedova Zakhro

Planting seeds of greatness, one by one, Some for nourishment, others for fun, The journey of growth has now begun. Watch and mirror the pro, she knows the way, Grasping the secrets of greatness each day. With a heart sincere and desire strong, Vow in the plow where dreams belong. In trusting and allowing, find peace profound, Navigate the path where hope is found. Expect greatness, nurture seeds with care, But know, before the breakthrough, adversity will be there. What choice will you make, what will you do? When challenges arise and skies aren't blue. Yet, because you've stood firm, your harvest draws near, Don't halt, press onward, your moment is here. Keep going, keep striving, don't dare to despair, For in perseverance, triumph is near. Press forward, prevail, your efforts are clear, In the soil of persistence, your greatness appears. © 2024, Stephene Klein Originally Pandemic Inspired © 2020, Stephene Klein

hi im shanara, I'm just your average highschool girl. I never really had very many friends and I would be picked on quite a lot. My life was just any average one of that of a teenage girl. I eventually came across social media and used that as my way of escaping reality. I made online friends and talked to them and didn't really socialize with others I met face to face. One day i had started talking to this guy his name was trey, he was only a few month older the me about 5-6 months older we started chatting everyday and we eventually started getting along really well, he would be the person i go to, to talk to about my day and when id have a bad day he would always make me laugh, him and i eventually became best friends and got to know each other really well. One day i had had a rough day at school and just wanted to get back home and tell trey about it i had just lost someone who i was friends with and rumors were getting spread about me through the school and people would stare at me and laugh, i was never really quit sure what the rumors are and until this day i still have no idea. I had got home from school and plopped down onto my bed and i opened my laptop and googled in the browser “instagram” i had logged into my account and messaged him and told him about my day, he had replied with “i have had a hard day at school as well my girlfriend cheated on me” i felt really bad for him even though i didn't know very much his relationship. Eventually i had headed to bed because i was tired and i had school the next day, later on the next day the day was almost over and i put my stuff in my backpack and got my books and left to head home, as soon as i got home once again i whipped my laptop out just like i had everyday before and one of my friends had put on their story “send c” if u care about me i replied with “C” and got sent a chain where i had to put the same thing on my story and send a photo i had only sent a photo of a character from a game as no one knew what i looked like in real life, after i had put it on my story trey had replied with “C” to my story and i sent himt the same chain thing i was sent and he put it on his story and sent a photo of him to me.. After he had sent the photo i had freaked out because he was a boy i knew at school and hed hang out with my friend group but eventually stopped hanging out with us quit some time ago as i freaked out i typed “OMG YOU GO TO THE EXACT SAME SCHOOL AS ME!” he became shocked at this point in time and said “who are you, what do u mean” i told him “i'm shanra” as he never knew my real name or what i looked like because id go After he had sent the photo i had freaked out because he was a boy i knew at school and hed hang out with my friend group but eventually stopped hanging out with us quit some time ago as i freaked out i typed “OMG YOU GO TO THE EXACT SAME SCHOOL AS ME!” he became shocked at this point in time and said “who are you, what do u mean” i told him “i'm shanra” as he never knew my real name or what i looked like because id go by a game character with the name Shad treys reply to this was “send me a photo of you” and i was still in shock at this time, eventually i sent him a photo and told him who i hung out with. The next while at school I tried to avoid him and not bump into him, But we all know how that had turned out. I bumped into him after taking my friend to the bus stop. After all this he'd call out my name whenever he would see me and I would still continuously try to avoid him but that didn't go as planned. Eventually after me and trey finding out who each other were we decided to start hanging out and his Ex did not like this at all, she didn't like me at all if i'm being honest because she eventually started bullying me shortly after but i decided to just ignore her which would make her furious. Eventually the school yeah came to an end and me and trey were inseparable wed hug a lot and we both knew we felt the exact same way about each other, on the last day off school was the last day we got to see each other, or so i thought one night i was at a friends house and i was just texting trey and he knew i was upset and this was late at night, He had stopped replying to me for awhile and i was sitting in the dark of the night at the park, Suddenly i heard my name called out and i knew the voice all too well, It was trey he had rode his bike from willaston all the way to evanston just to make me feel better, This made me really happy. Eventually after all of this the day after christmas (boxing day) he had asked me out and i had said yes and we started dating each other and ever since the we have been together for almost 2 year hes now turned sixteen and ill be turning sixteen in a few months and the relationship has been amazing since that day all though we argue sometimes but we always work it out with a talk and a hug.

I am staring at the Van Gogh Picture as the dawn breaks in a sleepy little university town called Shantiniketan. After being holed up for months at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic (and immunocompromised family members), I feel like I can breathe again. I experience a rather unfamiliar sound at midnight- the sound of a barking deer. The house I am staying in has a haunted tale of its own. Many years ago, Maloti, an accomplished dancer and academic, died by suicide here. The neighbours attribute it to a lovers' tiff. Out of curiosity, a fifteen year old me delved into research about this mythical and mysterious Maloti. Maloti was as beautiful as she was sophisticated, with razor- sharp wit. She cared very little for social niceties and turned heads, wherever she went. "She was a true artist", said one of her uncles when I met him. " A true artist misunderstood by the world." Those words left quite an impression on me- a young person chasing their own dreams. Unlike Maloti, I wasn't an accomplished artist- but a young person that harboured those dreams. Even daring to articulate those dreams would be met with ridicule, and sneery value judgements. Wanting to prove myself and ultimately being burdened with the weight of other people's expectations, trying to be true to myself and authentic and being cut short by people in positions of power. Wanting to break away and experience freedoms but knowing that fending for myself would involve taking the already trodden path. I had already experienced the disdain that artists were met with. I read of freedoms in books and watched it in movies, but I wondered if a life like that would be possible for me. Sunflowers fascinate me. The reason they do is because wherever the sun moves, the sunflower turns its head to face the sun. In the biting cold, it is hard to think of sunflower fields. The first time I took comfort in looking at bits of a sunflower was when I chanced upon Ai Wei Wei's Sunflower Seeds at Tate Modern Art Gallery in London. I was then a 21 year old university student, with barely any money, and big dreams. The art installation was a commentary on the mass production of Chinese goods and how they were subsequently sent to western countries. Each sunflower seed was crafted with porcelain and the feeling evoked by witnessing and experiencing that piece of art was understanding that artists could pour their frustrations and political thoughts into their work. That their art indeed was, political. I realised that my writing and my own art could become a tool through which I could shake off my own oppressions- being a woman, being a person of colour, being a young person whose work and words were not taken seriously, an individual who had no wishes to conform but was forced to do so, being reminded again and again through paperwork and through legislation that if I did not toe the line, if I wanted more for myself than was acceptable by my surroundings and my current context, the situation for me would prove to be dire. I sought my own experiences and my own joys from the world. What books could not teach me, I sought to teach myself. I worked in villages in India with no clean drinking water for months. I slept under the stars on a quiet night sky- the sound of lethal mosquitoes buzzing above my head. I worked with asylum seekers and refugees, which was actually one of the redeeming features of my week. Here is an excerpt of a letter I wrote to a friend, describing that time of my life : "Every day, I see ordinary people -people like you and I-wearing tattered clothes, with paint on their faces and pencils tucked behind their ears, sweating it out. There's this boy I see every day, he's about eighteen and if given a choice, he'd probably want to go to college as well. He often stops me on the street and asks me about what I study and I think he's quite a bright spark- and then I think about all the people back home, who should get an education and are not, it makes me very sad. I hope I don't grow into one of those people who shuts everything out and never does anything constructive by way of ensuring that kids are educated and well looked after. And working with children of refugees actually makes one understand how destitute these kids really are, unsheltered, unprotected, not knowing what tomorrow holds for them. Some children have never known their own homes, being carried from one shelter to another; they come from countries like Ghana, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, The Ivory Coast. Many of their parents have been intellectuals in their own country, they have spoken out against dictatorial regimes, they have condemned massacres, some of them will be executed as soon as they set foot on their home soil again. Most of these people are Asylum Seekers i.e. those who have not even been granted Refugee Status. Some are condemned because of their homosexuality and others, because of their religion." I hope I never stop feeling.