My way of life

My way of life S t o r i e s by c h i l d re n o f B h u t a n

The way of life I swear I was born free I was born innocent and pure I was naked within and out And I was clad in white As I breathed and saw more Dust of mankind fell on me Marred the colour of my cloth And my face and my heart People cheat and get cheated If it’s how the world moves Should I move with the world?

Or should I pave my own way?

Dorji Rinchen Class 8, Yadi, Mongar

The material in this book was made by children and youth of Bhutan between the age of 7 and 16 years. The map shows where they come from.

CHINA Laya

Dungkhar Bumdeling

Gaupel

THIMPHU

Jibjokha Ura Taktse

Damthang

Semthoka

Gaselo

Gaytsa

Kuenga Rabten Yadi

Daga

Samtse

Bardho Damphu

Dorokha Phuentsholing

Trashigang

Tsebar Sarpang

INDIA

Martshala

Merak

Index LIFE Life in eastern Bhutan - Merak....................................................p. 1088 Life in the countryside................................................................p. 13030 48 School.......................................................................................p. 148 80 Friends......................................................................................p. 182 100 Family.......................................................................................p. 102 118 Foods........................................................................................p. 120 128 Life in town - Samtse..................................................................p. 130 134 Life in town - Phuentsholing........................................................p. 136 148 Life in the capital - Thimphu.......................................................p. 150 162 CULTURE....................................................................................p. 164 202 NATURE.....................................................................................p. 204 FUTURE.....................................................................................p. 212210 241 Epilogue – Life is a chocolate cake..............................................p. 243 242 Transition - Words of the editor..................................................p. 244 244 Thank you.................................................................................p. 246 245 Photoindex................................................................................p. 247

Friends A friend like you When I met a friend like you My heart knew a bundle of joy The warmth of your love gave riches That even money couldn’t buy The way you touched my life Brought heaven within reach The lessons in love I learnt Only the school of life can teach You honoured the child in me You respected me as an individual You shared my joy and felt my pain Unspoken thoughts, you knew as well You placed your trust in me Critical were you, but sang praise, too It was as if the sun broke through When I came upon a friend like you Leki Wangdi Class 6, Bardho, Zhemgang

80

Friendship is a flower )ULHQGVKLS LV D Ă RZHU Which blooms forever It helps us in every way It cannot be forgotten Good friends are a blessing Sharing our joys and sorrows Only a friend in need Is a friend indeed Friendship is a gift of God It cannot be based on gain or loss Problems of life can be solved With the help of friends Friendship is a treasure That cannot be measured It cannot be expressed But only experienced Kesang Delkar Class 9, Taktse, Trongsa

85

Time with friends I love to spend time with my friends. In our life we meet countless people but everybody does not leave the same impression as friends do. Our life is short with moments of happiness, sadness, and worries. But my friends have always brought sunshine and happiness whenever my life was overshadowed by sorrows.

My friends are one of my most noble and priceless possessions. I have eight best friends who have always been cooperative and supportive in my life.

They always stand by my side when I am in need. I really love my friends and I always try to make time for them. Yes, I agree that all friends are not the same, we have false as well as true friends but I believe that I have made the right choice among thousands of people in this world. I will always value my friendships and keep them till I die.

Samjana Rai Class 10, Gaupel, Paro

90

My best friend My best friend’s name is Dorji He is 12 years old He is from Lungo He is a very good student and he is kind to others He is in class 3 He is tall and thin His favourite fruits are apple and mangoes He likes to play volleyball Chimi Kuenphen Dorji Class 3, age 7, Laya, Gasa

94