MV- Bliss Learners

  The Greeks defeating the Persians at the battle of Salamis      Athens was a rich and cultured state. Among its citizens were astronomers, mathematicians, thinkers, writers and artists. Although this was a society with slaves, the rulers had vision, and its government was the first real democracy.      Athens had the best navy in Greece while Sparta had the best army. Sparta's economy, like that of Athens, was based on slave workers but there was no democracy. Sport was encouraged, and girls as well as boys were expected to be fit and athletic. Sparta was run like an army camp, in which everyone was expected to obey. Boys as young as seven were taken from home and trained to be soldiers. FACT FILE      Broken pieces of pottery were used for letter-writing in the Greek world. Clay fragments are still found today, with business notes written on them.

       Many thousands of years ago people painted pictures of bulls, horses and antelopes on the walls of their caves. We will never be sure why they actually did this- perhaps it was to make magic and bring people luck in their hunting. Another theory was that it may have been part of their religion.      Cave artists used natural paints which were made from coloured earth and plant extracts. These paints have often been hidden from view for thousands of years. Viewed by the flickering light of burning torches, as they would have been when first painted, the animals almost seem to come to life. FACT FILE      Woolly mammoths were found painted on the walls of caves. As well as being an important source of meat, woolly mammoths provided skins for clothing and shelter. Their tusks were also carved into tools and ornaments.

       The Aborigines probably reached Australia overland. They lived by gathering food and hunting. Along the coast they fished with nets, basket traps and spears. In the bush they used fire to drive animals into traps and made poisons from leaves and roots to drug fish in pools. They wore no clothes and rubbed animal fats onto their bodies to protect themselves from the cold.      Aboriginal rock artists looked beneath the skin' to show a person's bones or organs. Paintings of people and animals are found at sites linked in Aboriginal belief to the Dream Time. This is the time when the spirits were supposed to have created the world. FACT FILE      The Aborigines used ritual boomerangs in magical dances, decorated with secret symbols. They were also used for hunting purposes and for war.

       Scientists believe that humans and apes had a common ancestor. About 10 million years ago, some apes left the trees to walk on the open plains. They had large brains, and used their fingers to pick up food. About 4 million years ago, the human-like ape Australopithecus (southern ape) lived in Africa. It probably used sticks or stones as tools, in the same way that chimpanzees do. It walked upright, had long limbs, and its body was covered with hair. The first human species was Homo habilis (handy man), who lived in East Africa 2 million years ago. By 1.5 million years ago, the more advanced Homo erectus (upright man) had appeared, and by 500,000 years ago Homo erectus had learned to make fire. They communicated in some form of language, and worked together gathering plants and hunting animals for food. FACT FILE Neanderthals were the first humans to bury their dead. Archaeologists have found evidence of Neanderthal burial ceremonies. The remains of tools and m...

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     Once Ganesha had to go abroad. Called the rat brother and told that we have to go out. Rat Bhai says: “Come on Maharaj, sit on me. I will deliver the village as soon as you say." Ganesha sat on Rat Bhai. The rat is chirping and looking around. Rat Bhai took Ganesha to another village in no time.      Ganesha wanted to stay in that village for the whole day, so Rat Bhai said: "Maharaj, I will come back to the area." Will be back in the evening. Give me leave to go for a walk!”      Ganesha says: “Even so, come back happily. Take this bag with you. Seven of them are Laddu (A type of sweet). You will find it useful.'' Picking and looking around. On the way, a house asks: "Where are you?" Then he says: "I am Ganesha's mouse!" Choon... I am Ganesha's rat!”      Rat Bhai came out of the village. He saw a puppy shaking its head and crying in the padar (Flour or meal). A puppy means a puppy. Rat asked the puppy, "Puppy, why are yo...