பக்கம்:சிரிக்கும் பூக்கள்.pdf/24

what's this God-given hand for? For ardent worship of the Lord. These seven hills of ascent, from the material to the spiritual, from ANNAMAYA to ANANDA MAYA, comprehend the whole philosophy of useful and wise living, and the child learns it with a lilt, and no trace of tears. Here Is another piece, now on ‘national integration’: Crores and crores are my kith and kin; they live between Himavant’and Kumari. Their twin eyes are Rights and Duties; their hand—labours uplift the land. They speak several languages, but live in amity together. That the land may win largesse and fame, they plan and execute good works. And so on: the songs are many, and make a sweep of a variety of emotions, Rasas, ethical imperatives, legendary and recent history, everyday life, situations humorous and grave, anecdotage, fabulistic diversions—all earth and - heaven and the realm between. The sublime is rendered in familiar terms, and the trivial is seen at a slant to tremble with the undertones of serious intent. With children s songs, it is rather like shower in the sunshine, smiles and tears teasing one another. Contrary to the usual assumption that one who writes for children should stoop” to their level, it is actually a question of rising to THEIR much XXi