It takes a farmer of great experience to look at the green top and decide when the carrot underneath is ready for harvesting.” Nasru carried on, “In the same manner, only a truly wise and experienced person can see and recognize true wisdom, which is often hidden away from common eyes.  

And just like carrots, if true wisdom is not dug up at the right time, it goes waste. Just as a donkey runs after carrots, there are fools who run after true wisdom, thinking they can get it easily. They do not know the truth and can’t see it either!”

As Nasru finished, not a man moved in the King’s court. Nobody wanted to open their mouth and be proved a fool. Finally the King spoke, “Mullah Nasruddin, I honour you! I must apologise for not trusting your intellect enough. You have shown all of us what true wisdom is all about. I request you to help us find it in our everyday lives, too!” So saying the King rewarded the Mullah richly.

On hia way back, Nasru picked out the juiciest carrots for his mother! (Concluded)   

JOKES

What are crisp, like milk and go 'eek, eek, eek' when you eat them?

Mice Krispies!

What is small, furry and brilliant at sword fights?

A mouseketeer!

What do you get if you try to cross a mouse with a skunk?

Dirty looks from the mouse!

What is a mouse's favorite record?

'Please cheese me'!

What goes eek, eek, bang?

A mouse in a minefield!

What squeaks as it solves crimes?

Miami mice!

What did Tom get when he locked Jerry in the freezer?

Mice cubes!

What's gray, squeaky and hangs around in caves?

Stalagmice!

What mouse was a Roman emperor?

Julius Cheeser!

Who is king of all the mice?

Mouse Tse Tung!

What do angry rodents send each other at Christmas time?

Cross mouse cards!

What's the hardest part of milking a mouse?

Getting it to fit over a bucket!

Hickory hickory dock.

The mouse ran up the clock

The clock struck one

But the rest got away with minor injuries

What do you call a mouse that can pick up an elephant?

Sir!

What do mice do when they're at home?

Mousework!

What have 12 legs, six eyes, three tails and can't see?

Three blind mice!

What is a molecule?

A molecule is a group of non-metallic atoms that are joined together by chemical bonds.

An example of a molecule is water, H2O which is composed of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.

Molecules are particles made up of two or more atoms that are joined together by chemical bonds.

The chemical bond between molecules is called a covalent bond.

Molecules are also made up of non-metallic atoms.

Molecules can be divided into two groups

Molecules of elements

Molecules of compounds

Molecules of elements Molecules of compounds

Hydrogen, H2 Water, H2O

Oxygen, O2 Carbon dioxide, CO2

Nitrogen. N2 Hydrogen sulfide, H2S

Fluorine, F2 Sulfur dioxide, SO2

Chlorine, Cl2 Ammonia, NH3

Bromine, Br2 Methane, CH4

Sulfur, S8 Methyl alcohol, CH3OH

Molecules of elements are made up of the same type of atoms

The hydrogen molecule is made up of two atoms of hydrogen and has the chemical formula of H2

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

Sanchi, variously known as Kakanaya, Kakanava, Kakanadabota and Bota-Sriparvata in ancient times, has a singular distinction of having remarkable specimen of Buddhist art and architecture right from the early Mauryan period (c. third century BC to twelfth century AD). Sanchi is famous in the world for stupas, monolithic Asokan pillar, temples, monasteries and sculptural wealth.

It was Emperor Asoka who laid the foundations of a religious centre at Sanchi fascinated probably by the location of the hill or because of his Queen Devi, who was the daughter of a merchant of Vidisha. He erected the Great Stupa (Stupa 1) here after redistribution of mortal remains of Lord Buddha for erecting several stupas all over the country in order to spread Buddhism. This stupa was originally a low structure of brick, half the diameter of the present edifice hemispherical in shape with raised terraces at the base. It was enclosed by a wooden railing and a stone umbrella at the top. This Great Stupa served as a nucleus to the large Buddhist establishment during the later period.

During Sunga times, several edifices were raised at Sanchi and its surrounding hills. The Asokan stupa was enlarged and faced with stones and decorated with balustrades, staircases and a harmika on the top.

In the first century BC the Andhra-Satavahanas, who had extended their sway over the eastern Malwa, caused the elaborately carved gateways to Stupa 1. The Great Stupa of Sanchi displays an austere grandeur and the exquisite carvings of the doorway depict in detail the significant episodes and miracles from Lord Buddha’s life and events depicted in the Buddhist Jataka stories.

The reconstruction of Temple 40 and erection of Stupas 2 and 3 also seem to date back around the same time.

From the second to fourth century AD Sanchi and Vidisha came under the Kushanas and Kshatrapas and subsequently passed on to the hands of the Guptas. During the Gupta period some temples were also built and sculptures were added displaying the classical grace and simplicity of the era. Further, statues of Lord Buddha seated in the canopies facing the four entrances of the Great Stupa were also added. Sanchi also flourished during the 7th – 12th centuries A.D. when shrines and monasteries were continued to be added. Thus Sanchi displays harmonious co-existence of Hindu and Buddhist faiths.

Since the fourteenth century Sanchi remained deserted and uncared for till 1818 when General Taylor rediscovered the site. Sir John Marshall established an archaeological museum in 1919, which was later transformed into the present site museum at Sanchi.

Presently under an UNESCO project Sanchi and Satdhara, a Buddhist site, 10 km south-east of Sanchi, is being further excavated, conserved and environmentally developed.