Who is not using pencils? We all use pencils — and different kinds of pencils for different uses: for sketches, drawings, etc. And to start with, for any children, pencil would be the first tool to write with. I used to collect different types of pencils, like wooden pencils, HB pencils and Natraj pencils. As my father knew that I was fond of collecting certain things, he used to get me different kinds of pencils. Those days, there were no handy sharpeners, or it was expensive to buy. My father used to sharpen the pencils with blades. It was quite interesting to watch him. ** One day I was watching my father — and my father told me, "Banoo… in our life, we should be like pencils in our life! A pencil stands as a good example, as it has super qualities…" I never understood it properly as I was a little girl. But as I grew older, I realised how important the pencil is in shaping up our life. Let me explain. My father was writing something. I asked, "Appa — what are you writing with the pencil?" "Oh, I am writing something — a kind of ledger entries." "Appa, long time ago, you mentioned that I should have the best qualities like a pencil. Can you please explain now?" "The pencils have five qualities. Do you know that?" "Oh, Appa — I just see pencil as a writing tool. I don't see any special qualities other than this," I replied. My dad continued. "See, little girl, it's amazing to know that the best qualities are hidden in the pencils. Let me explain. "The first quality is that we are all capable of doing great things with the pencil — like writing, drawing, sketching, etc. But you must not forget that there is a hand beholding the pencil to write the right things, right? So let us now refer the hands to God, and He is the one always guiding us with His will. Understand? If we catch hold of His hands, we will reach our destination on the right path. Got it?" "​Second quality: as you have been observing me now and then, that I have to stop writing in between, and use the sharpener — which makes the pencil suffer a little. But the pencil does the acute sketches if it is sharpened nicely, right? So the thing is, you too must learn to bear the pains and sorrows, as they would make you to become a better person. So this is the second quality. "​Third quality: mistakes occur while we are writing, and the eraser has to be used to rub the unwanted ones. This means correcting something is more important than continuing the mistakes. As the pencil lets the eraser to remove the unwanted things, we also should let the people to correct ourselves if we do anything wrong. This is the third quality. "​Fourth quality: the fourth quality is the one that indicates the main thing — what really matters in pencil is not the exterior part but the graphite inside! So we always have to watch and pay attention as to what is happening inside you. "​Fifth quality: the pencil, while writing or drawing, leaves an impression on the paper or board. Just in the same way, you should know that everything you do in your life will leave a mark or an impression. So try to be conscious of your every action — because good impressions create greater personalities. This is the fifth quality." ** My father patted me with his pencil. That day I understood that great truth lies in simple things like a pencil. I never forget this story — and from that day onwards I look upon the little things with great respect! — Banooravi