Celebrations

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 16; the sixteenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Around the World in Seven Days... !!!

Brent International School. England. Miss Fienes’ history class was a mix of different students drawn from different countries. The student-teacher interaction was always exciting. She could easily motivate her students to lend their ears on every lesson she would impart.

“Today, let’s have a tour around the world,” she made a cheerful introduction. “Let’s have an exciting journey which I would call “Around the World in Seven Days." It is time to take a peek of what is happening in the different countries around the world."

First leg of journey. (India)

“So guys, fasten your seatbelts, breath, relax and enjoy the flight”, Miss Fienes finally admonished. This is our first day in a series of seven days journey to take a tour around the world."

“Have you heard of Diwali Festival? I think Mahesh from India has a poem on Diwali. Mahesh, do come forward and read your poem” she said.

Today’s the `Festival of Lights’

A joyful day for one and all

Candles are lit

Crackers are burst

Spreading an array of colors

All are clad rich and new

Temples are thronged
Prayers are offered.

Mothers and daughters

prepare mithais and  diyas

Rangolis are drawn

in different colored powders

As children play merrily

Fathers and sons

are busy packing presents

doorways are hung with torans

of mango leaves and marigolds

Diwali is here!

Miss Fienes: Wow! That was excellent Mahesh. It gave us an idea of the colorful and dazzling Indian festival.”

The class then gave him a standing ovation. 

Second leg of journey. (Israel)

“Now I am taking you to our second journey. Where do you want to go now class?” she enquired of her students.

Abrahem raised his hand and suggested that he will bring them to Israel, his beloved country. Miss Fienes willingly agreed.

Abrahem told his classmates that in Israel, they celebrate the Feast of the Passover.

Miss Fienes: By the way Abrahem, do you know of any Passover Song you can share us?

Abrahem: Of course Ma’am. Let me sing it for you all.

Everyone became serious. They positioned themselves ready to listen intently.

And Abrahem solemnly sang his composition of a Passover Song:

They gathered as one

And broke the bread

They shared in a cup

To taste of Jesus’ blood.

It’s a feast of the Passover

A feast of the Passover

Everyone rejoices

A feast of the Passover

Bless are you O God

Master of the Universe

The great Creator

Who brings forth the vine?

It’s a feast of the Passover

A feast of the Passover

Everyone rejoices

A feast of the Passover.

Miss Fienes: I am amazed Abrahem. Everyone can sing with you next time and do teach us with the melody, okay?

Then the class gave a big round of applause with Abrahem’s beautiful rendition of his Passover song!

Third leg of journey. (Rome)

“Have any of you ever fallen in love? Did you say yes to a suitor on Valentine’s Day?” Miss Fienes asked her class with a naughty smile.

“And now let’s go to Rome where Valentine's Day Celebration originated and Cornelius will tour us around Rome. This is our third day and we should maximize our time. Cornelius, are you ready with your poem?” Miss Fienes asked.

Cornelius: As assigned Ma’am, I made several couplets, which I am sure would be relevant verses in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Miss Fienes: Okay Cornelius, read it, this time with feelings!

Laughter heard but Cornelius ignored them. Thus he read:

My heart beats so fast

Every time I see that vast!

You looked into my eyes

I gave you that wicked smile!

I felt butterflies in my stomach

The feelings is just too much!

Naughty cupid hit me with his arrow

I felt delirious like a singing sparrow!

I asked you if you really love me

You answered, “Go swim in the deep blue sea”!

The laughter became louder, and then Cornelius took a halt reading his couplets. Even Miss Fienes could only smile, trying to control herself from a boisterous reaction. Then she announced, “Well, Cornelius, that was fun!” 

Fourth leg of journey. ((Holland and the Netherlands)

“Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts, we’re about to take off and see the beautiful Holland and nearby Netherlands. The land of the colorful, lovely tulips. Let’s see for ourselves what beauty is in store for us during their Dutch celebrations,” Miss Fienes narrated.

Miss Fienes: Anya, how’s your take home assignment?” Miss Fienes enquired of Anya.

Anya: Err, Ma’am, I am so sorry but all I could present now is an acrostic of the word TULIPS!

Miss Fienes: Care to share us your work then?

Then Anya went center stage in front of her classmates. They love and like Anya so much, because she’s intelligent and well…a beauty to behold like the lovely tulips.

These lovely, colorful flowers

Unquestionably one of the best

Lovely and charming like Miss Fienes

I wish I were a charming tulip

Pleasing decors on float's end to tip

So gorgeous one can worship!

Miss Fienes: Are you kidding Anya? I didn’t expect you to involve my name in your acrostic.

                

Anya: With a sincere heart Ma’am, I mean it! Isn’t Miss Fienes like the beautiful tulips classmates?

Classmates: Yes Anya!!!

"Okay, stop it now….since we’re here to enjoy the journey, meantime, why not, say I am a pink tulip!” she declared with an endearing smile.

Everyone clapped.

Fifth leg of journey. (USA)

“This is our fifth day, and we will visit Washington D.C., the seat of the US government,” narrated Miss Fienes. 


It’s almost Christmas, have you done your assignment of writing a shape poem on Christmas. Anyone from the group? Share me what is Christmas in the US. The best place where Christmas can be celebrated,” she told her students.

Alyssa: I tried one this evening Ma’am and hope this merits your approval.

Miss Fienes: Go ahead Alyssa. I’d clap when I am pleased and my silence means I am not impressed after you’re done reading your poem. 

A

star

adorns

its top, bright

colorful lights are

hanged around the

tree. Colorful balls add

glitter and glamour. Ti’s the

season to be merry and jolly.

Singers sing merry Christmas

carols. Gifts will be wrapped and

will be opened on Christmas day.

A bounty will be prepared to be shared

by everyone. Relatives and friends gather

around the tree, exchange and open gifts.

Dad will act as Santa Claus. Mom would be

seen kissing Santa. I will hang a stocking on a

door to let Santa put in there all my wishes for

Christmas.

bells are

ringing

ding

dong

merry

season

to one

and all!

Have a joyous Christmas Celebrations!

Miss Fienes took a deep breath. All eyes were glued to her, excited to see of her reaction to Alyssa’s poem, then with a sudden beam on her face, she….clapped and clapped. Alyssa heaved a sigh of relief. 
"I am impressed Alyssa. You did your homework well."

Sixth leg of journey. (China)

“And, this is our sixth day of our journey. Fasten your seatbelts and together we’ll watch how the Chinese people celebrate New Year,” announced Miss Fienes.

Kong Wonu: Ma’am I made a short free style poem about my childhood experiences of Chinese New Year’s celebrations.

Miss Fienes: Okay, go ahead Kong Wonu.

When I was a kid

I was excited to receive

Lai-see envelops

And happily gallops

Inside it I knew

Money would overflow

I would be so happy

With a gait so snappy

I will wear new clothes

With strides so composed

I will visit relatives

At my own initiative

Chinese New Year

Everybody so dear

Everyone’s birthday

Tis’ a happy holiday.

Kong Wonu: “That’s all I can do now Ma’am.

Miss Fienes: Well...It sounds festive and am impressed. Take your seat now Kong Wonu!

Seventh leg of journey. (Philippines)

“Now,  we are on our last leg of journey. Don’t you like to come with me to the Philippines?” she asked her students. “Yes Ma’am,” they answered in chorus. “If yes, then fasten your seatbelt, and in an hour or so our plane will be there. Let us see how they celebrate Flower Festival there. I heard from Christina that its fun."

“So I brought my inquisitive students to the Philippines on the seventh day, the last leg of our journey,” narrated Miss Fienes.

Miss Fienes: Christina, have you anything to share with us now before we will land on the Pearl of the Orient Seas?

Christina: Yes Ma’am. I was able to pen a loop poem about the Flower Festival in Baguio City, otherwise known in our dialect as 'Panagbenga'.

Miss Fienes: Okay, go ahead, share it with us Christina.

It's again Panagbenga time

time when flowers bloom

bloom in colorful hues

hues that give life to the city

city of sweet-scented pines

pines that make the climate cool

cool enough to attract tourists

tourists that come in groups

groups that will enjoy and have fun
fun moments watching floats parade
parade of different company floats
floats decorated for the festival
festival annually celebrated
celebrated in the month of February
February as peak season
season of flowers galore!

Miss Fienes: Christina, that was really colorful and fantastic!

Christina: Yes, Ma’am! And yearly, thousands of tourists flock to the cool city of pines just to watch the floats' parade in two days!

Miss Fienes: Well, I can imagine how festive and jovial that Flower Festival and could even vividly picture those colorful flowers galore decorated on floats! I should spend a week's holiday in the Philippines soon to see it for myself Christina!

Christina: Oh sure, Ma'am, I am delighted and honored, so be my happy guest soon!

“Okay guys, We have had an exciting trip around the world savouring some of the festive spirit in different places. I am sure you would have enjoyed as much as I did. Let us call it a day and class is now dismissed...."

~*~*~*~

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Image Credit: All images are taken from www.flickr.com!