Essays & Short Stories

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Lessons in Kindness and Courage from my Dogs

On my dog’s first birthday, I found myself reflecting on how much Samrat and Lisa before him, have quietly shaped my life. From an Indie who held my childhood together to a golden retriever who now fills our home with love, both have taught me kindness, patience and how to navigate a world that isn’t always gentle. Samrat has faced more negativity in one year than most adults do, yet he still chooses joy. Watching him makes me realise how children feel too sensitive, observant, and silently absorbing everything around them.

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EducationEssays & Short StoriesParentingPep Talk
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The Hidden Cost of Chasing Marks: A Mentor’s Perspective

Sometimes, parents look only at marks and miss the quiet, meaningful growth happening inside a child. In our sessions, children slowly unlearn fear — the fear of judgement, of not meeting expectations, of showing work that may not be “perfect.” They begin expressing themselves through words, art, stories, and honest conversations. Take a look at how we mentor and help children overcome negative self‑beliefs through art, writing, and lots of fun. These breakthroughs don’t always show up on a test paper, but they show up in confidence, curiosity, and kindness. When a child feels safe and heard, real learning begins.

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EducationEssays & Short Stories
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Soaring Like a Kite: My Life as a Bird

Shloka Harbola, a 3rd grader from Gyanshree School, Noida and a student in our W.I.N.G.S Program, brings a world of imagination to her writing. In her delightful essay “If I Were a Bird,” Shloka steps into the sky as a kite, soaring above trees, feeling the breeze, and watching the world with sharp, curious eyes. Her playful descriptions, from sunrise flights to visiting balconies, show a growing confidence in expressing her ideas with clarity and joy. Watching her creativity take flight has been a true pleasure, and we’re so proud of her blossoming voice as a young writer.

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EducationEssays & Short StoriesParentingPep Talk
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Why Writing Is the Last Step in Helping Your Child Learn to Write

Many parents want quick results, but writing doesn’t grow under pressure. It grows when a child feels seen, supported, and free to make mistakes. I often remind parents that hesitation, fear of judgment, and resistance to writing are years in the making — and unlearning them takes time. In my sessions, children explore writing through art, stories, conversations, and NLP‑based exercises that rebuild confidence from within. This is not tuition; it’s mentorship. And mentorship cannot be rushed. When children feel safe, they begin to express themselves. When they express themselves, everything else slowly falls into place.

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How an Unexpectedly Hard Day Became the One I Needed

9th grader Advika Karve, studying in JBCN International School, Mumbai, writes a reflective piece about a day that didn’t go the way she expected, but ended up teaching her something far more meaningful. What began with a missed alarm, a chaotic commute and a sudden downpour slowly shifted into a day filled with small, grounding moments she would have otherwise rushed past. From a warm cup of chai at a corner stall to an unplanned hour inside a quiet bookstore, Advika realises that sometimes life rearranges our plans to show us what we’ve been too busy to notice.

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EducationEssays & Short StoriesLifestylePep Talk
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I Missed My Work Anniversary. Turns Out, That Was the Real Celebration

Somewhere between designing curricula, mentoring children, and creating workshops, the first anniversary of The Write Compass quietly slipped past me. Maybe that’s what happens when you’re finally doing work that feels like flow — time stops needing to be measured. A year ago, I took a leap of faith I wasn’t sure I was ready for, much like the first time I was pushed into the deep end of a swimming pool as a child. I kicked, splashed, panicked… and then found my rhythm. That’s what this year has been — learning to swim in new waters, and realising I’m exactly where I need to be.

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How Cubism Helped My Students See Success Differently

In my W.I.N.G.S mentorship program, I use art to challenge the fixed, linear mindsets that so often frustrate young minds. By exploring Cubism, an art style where objects are broken into simple shapes and viewed from multiple angles at once, children discover there is no single, rigid “right” way to see the world. This unique creative freedom allows students to open up, share personal school breakthroughs, and realize that life’s many fragmented experiences ultimately add up to a beautiful, meaningful outcome. Learn how our fun, insightful creative workshops help children learn to solve problems differently.

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Essays & Short StoriesLifestyleParentingWorkshops
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The Superpower Switchboard: A Creative Art Reset for Women to Manage Energy and Overcome Burnout

In our second Creative Reset Art Workshop, we explored a theme that felt deeply personal for every woman in the room — the Superpower Switchboard. We often forget that we carry inner switches that can shift our energy, soften overwhelm, and bring us back to ourselves. Through simple art, colour‑coding, and gentle reflection, the women mapped what they access easily, what they’re learning, and what feels hard right now. What unfolded was a space of honesty, connection, and quiet strength. By the end, each woman walked away with a clearer sense of what to switch on, what to release, and what to choose for herself.

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BooksEssays & Short Stories
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The Ghost Crew of the Volga‑4: A Deep‑Sea Mystery

Maya Malhotra, a 10th grader from Mahindra International School, Pune, crafts a gripping deep‑sea narrative that blends mystery, science fiction, and emotional depth. Her story follows diver Steig Thorn as he descends into the Litke Trench and encounters the Volga‑4, a submarine that vanished in 1975 yet appears untouched by time. With precise detail and a steady build‑up of tension, Maya creates an eerie, immersive world where the past and present collide in unexpected ways.

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Why Your Productivity Will Never Look Like Someone Else’s — And Why That’s Okay

Productivity, I’ve learnt, isn’t a race or a checklist someone else hands you. For years, I pushed myself to match a pace that was never mine, measuring my worth against people whose lives looked nothing like my own. It took slowing down — truly slowing down — to realise that some days, being productive simply means showing up for yourself. Walking the dog, cooking a meal, mentoring a child, or sitting quietly with chai can be just as meaningful as ticking off a work task. Your life has its own rhythm. Your productivity should honour that rhythm, not fight it. If you’ve been questioning your pace or your definition of “productive,” perhaps this will offer some comfort. Read on…

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