Chhuk-Chhuk-Chhak at St. Thomas Boys Primary School, Aldona

Written by Flavia

It was the first library session after the week-long school holidays for Chathurti. The boys were all set to hear a new story. We asked them what they had done over the holidays – many had gone to their ancestral homes or visited the homes of their relatives. Unfortunately, no one went by train. Our story for that day was Chhuk-Chhuk-Chhak by Vinita Krishna with great illustrations by Suvidha Mistry, published by Pratham Books.

We all stood in the aisles and made the noise of a train pulling out of the station, gaining speed for a while and then slowing down as it approached the next station. It was fun – tiring, but fun.

They heard the story of the little girl who started drawing a train on her slate, but ran out of space, so ….. one boy suggested that she continue on the wall of the house! Some others said she could continue on the floor. Which is what Nanhi did – she drew the rest of the coaches on the floor of her verandah.

We asked the boys to do the same on the floor of the classroom. There was hesitation at first – no one had ever drawn on the classroom floor on purpose, before! However, after the first couple of 6-year olds were persuaded to start, there was no stopping the others. Our train was really long.

I’m not sure who had more fun – us or the kids!