MYRA'S GREEN AWAKENING

We have a winner!

Congratulations to 8-year-old Myra Saindane from St Aubyn’s School, Essex who won 1st prize for her story ‘Myra’s Green Awakening’. Her story about how a trip to India inspired a sustainability mission captured the imagination of our judge Michaela Strachan.

Myra's Green Awakening 

As the plane gently touched down on Indian soil, excitement filled the air. The warm, soft breeze caressed my face, and my mother reminded me to appreciate the beauty and wonders of India. On our way from the airport, our taxi passed by a bustling market. I was intrigued by the pots made from clay, mud, coconut, bamboo, and sugarcane. I asked my father, “Why are most of the pots made from these materials and not plastic?” He replied, “We use sustainable things here. Instead of buying plastic, we use natural products like cloth bags, clay pots, and leaves that return to the earth like fallen flowers.”

As we arrived at my grandparents’ home, my grandmother welcomed me warmly. She offered me water in a metal glass, and I asked, “Grandma, why did you give me water in a metal glass?” She explained, “Drinking from metal is healthier because plastic glasses release microplastics into your mouth and stomach. This glass is over 40 years old; it was your mother’s when she was little. We reuse and repurpose everything!” Later, I saw her pouring leftover cooking water onto the plants. “Every drop counts, Myra,” she said. “Water is a gift; we put nothing to waste.”

That afternoon, we visited a nearby farm where a farmer showed us how cow dung was converted into cooking fuel. I wrinkled my nose, “Eww! You cook with that?” The farmer laughed, “Nature wastes nothing; even dung has a purpose!” The scent of strong spices filled the air as we entered the farm. Everyone carried cloth bags; there was no plastic in sight. I asked my grandmother, “Why don’t they use plastic bags? They’re easier to use.” She replied, “Plastic is like a bad habit; it stays forever and harms the earth.”

Later, my grandmother asked if I wanted to paint on the outer wall. I agreed, and she made natural paints from beetroot, turmeric, spinach, and red cabbage with blueberries. She handed me the paints in bamboo bowls. I questioned her, “Why have you given me fruit and vegetable pastes?” She replied, “I didn’t buy paints, so I thought you could use these natural colours I made for you.”

That night, under a starry sky, my mind buzzed with thoughts. In London, people talked about sustainability as if it were a new invention. But here, it was a way of life —woven into every little thing. I turned to my grandmother, determined. “When I go home, I’ll use less plastic, turn off lights, buy less, and save water. Even small things matter, right?” She smiled, stroking my hair. “Yes, Myra. A single drop fills an ocean.” As I packed my bags, I knew I wasn’t just carrying memories—I was carrying a mission.