Why Chintu started saving water

Image 1.1 Cover page of the comic book

This story is of a boy named Chintu. Chintu used to waste a lot of water, but one day something

happened which taught him to save water and use it wisely.

Chintu is seven years old. He is a very naughty and careless child. He often leaves the water taps

half open as he is too lazy to turn them off completely. His father and mother are both tired of

telling him not to leave the water tap open but he keeps forgetting what they say. Even if he

needs just half a glass of water to drink, he pour so much water into the glass that it starts to

overflow. He then drinks only half and throws the rest away or down the sink. For taking a bath,

he uses the shower for hours, as he pretends as though it is raining and likes to play in the rain.

1.2 Image showing Chintu brushing teeth and tap is open

Image 1.3 Chintu using the shower and listening to his mother

One night Chintu had a dream. In his dream he saw himself lost in a dense forest which was

surrounded by big trees. He was feeling thirsty so he started running here and there in search of

water. After running for a while he saw a well but there was no water in that well. It was dry

well! By now Chintu’s thirst had reached its highest level. “Help! I am thirsty” – Chintu shouts

in his dream.

Image 1.4 Chintu sleeping at night and dreaming

“Chintuuuuuuuuuu wake up!!” he hears, and Chintu wakes up to his mother’s calls. Although

still sleepy his throat is parched. “I need water,” he murmurs. His mother calls out,

“Chintu…hurry up and get dressed! Your water bottle and lunch box are packed and ready!”

Image 1.5 Chintu wakes up and his father is giving him water

Chintu gets up and rubs his eyes. Although he is awake his dry throat leaves him panicked. The

sun is out and his father is standing in front of him with a glass of water in his hand. Chintu gulps

down the whole glass of water – in one go. His father asks him, “Chintu? Is everything alright?

You were shouting for water in your nightmare. What happened?” Chintu tells him the whole

dream.

After listening to him, Chintu’s father says, “Do you see now why we ask you to be careful with

water? If you don’t conserve water and use it wisely, that day will come soon where you won’t

have any left.”

These days Chintu has started saving water and uses only one bucket to bathe. He has also learnt

what thirst is all about and keeps a bowl of water and a few grains on his terrace for sparrows

and other birds who might be thirsty. When his parents asked Chintu why he does this, he

replied, “If I can be thirsty then what about the birds, they must also be feeling thirsty…”

He is happy nowadays because its summer and many birds come regularly to his terrace to eat

the grains and drink the water. Sometimes the smaller birds, splash around in the bowl as well.

Image 1.6 Chintu thinking about bird’s thirst and image of bowl and grains kept by Chintu

Every evening, Chintu goes to the terrace and counts the number of birds who stop by. As days

go by, more birds are showing up and now it’s difficult for Chintu to count the number of birds.

Seeing the large number of birds enjoying and using just a little bowl of water, Chintu realizes

the importance of water. Now when he drinks only half the glass of water, he doesn’t throw the

water in the sink but shares it with the birds!

Image 1.7 Chintu happy and with the birds on his terrace

Image 1.8 Note for teachers