Scholar-Journalist of the Week: The importance of teamwork

Among her hobbies, Sunayana Singh, a class 6 student at Apeejay School Nerul, Navi Mumbai likes to swim, play badminton, draw and read. The first book she remembers reading was Sudha Murty’s ‘Grandma’s Bag of Stories.’ The author’s stories turned Sunayana into an avid reader and soon she started to write her own. In an interview, the student talks about how putting her ideas onto paper became her talent. Read on: 

How did you come up with the idea for ‘The importance of teamwork’?

I got an assignment from my English teacher at school, Mrs. Leena Daisy. She wanted us to write a story based on moral values. She stated that it must cater to children aged 7-8 years. And so, the moral that I wanted to write about was ‘Never bite more than you can chew.’ My short story highlights the same in which a boy attempts to deceive his classmates for better scores. I wrote this story and discussed it with my father. He helped me edit it a little. Once it was ready, I sent it to Apeejay Newsroom.

Are the students in the story inspired from life?

Not really. I think we must not judge the boy because it was the first time he was given a huge responsibility to lead a project. He simply got confused about how to handle it.

What books do you like to read?

‘And Then There Were None’, a mystery novel by the English writer Agatha Christie and ‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane’ by Kate DiCamillo are some of the recent ones I read. The latter moved me to tears as it is about a rabbit who was too selfish. In a turn of events, he realises the value of empathy, love and friendship. Apart from these, I am currently reading, ‘A Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ – a novel by the French author, Jules Verne.

What would be your upcoming work?

I have a collection of short stories ready. The themes are all very different from one another. One story I have written is about a girl who wears spectacles and is teased by her classmates for it. However due to her good nature, she soon becomes a favourite in the class.

I am also working on a novel series at present. It is based on a king who begins to obsess about a legend of a diamond. His curiosity, desire and preoccupation with it only grows with time and therefore, he attempts to uncover its truth.   

Your tip for those wanting to start writing?

One of the lessons I have learnt is, one may get tired of their own stories – of writing or reading them again and again. But one must nurture it and keep going. Be motivated through the process and try to uncover its potential.

Your ambition?

I would like to be an entrepreneur and author.