Chapter 4: Seeing without Seeing

One day, Onshangla came back from school very quietly. Her mother Ava noticed this and asked what happened.

Onshangla told her that a new boy had come to school. He wore black glasses and could not see. The teacher made him sit in the front desk. Onshangla wondered how he would manage daily work.

Ava decided to play a game. She tied a scarf over Onshangla’s eyes. Then she held different things in her hand and asked Onshangla to guess them.

First, she held a rose. Onshangla touched it and said it was something soft — a flower. Then she smelled it and said it was a rose.

Next, Ava rang a small bell. Onshangla heard the sound “Trin…Trin…” and quickly guessed it was a bell.

Then Ava gave her a glass. Onshangla touched it and said it was a glass. She tasted the drink and found out it was orange juice, not water.

After the game, Ava removed the scarf. Onshangla felt happy and said the game was wonderful.

Ava explained that if a child cannot see, there are other ways to find out things. But such children may have some difficulties. She hoped that Onshangla and her classmates would be kind and friendly to the new boy.

Onshangla understood and agreed.

Message of the Chapter:

• We should be kind to differently abled children.

• We can use our other senses to understand things.

• Friendship and support are important.

• We should care for our eyes.