Water— A Precious Gift

The answer is Rain. Rain falls down from the clouds to the earth but never goes back up in the form of rain. (Water does go back up as water vapour/evaporation, but rain itself only comes down.)

I think it will rain today because:
1. The sky is covered with dark, grey clouds.
2. There is thunder and lightning in the distance.
3. The air feels cool and humid.
4. Birds are flying low and returning to their nests.

I think it will not rain today because:
1. The sky is clear and bright blue with no clouds.
2. The sun is shining strongly and the air is dry.
3. There is a gentle warm breeze blowing.
4. Birds are flying high in the sky.

*(Note: Students should write their own observations based on the actual sky they see. The above are sample clues.)*

Sample Observations (students should record their own):

- Heavy or light rain: The rain today was moderate — not too heavy, not too light.
- Size of raindrops: The raindrops were medium-sized. During heavy rain, drops appear bigger.
- Speed of raindrops: They came down quite fast.
- Sheets of water: During very heavy rain, individual drops are hard to see; water falls like a curtain or sheet.
- Direction of rain: The rain was mostly falling straight down, but when the wind blew, it slanted. The wind pushes the raindrops sideways, which is why the direction changes.
- Collected rainwater: The rainwater collected in a vessel looked slightly dirty/muddy because it picks up dust and particles from the air and the ground.

*(Students should draw a picture of the rain they observed in their notebooks.)*

(i) Will it rain again?
If the sky still has dark clouds and the air is cool and moist, it may rain again. If the clouds have cleared and the sun is out, it may not rain soon. *(Students should give their own reason based on observation.)*

(ii) Did it rain only in your area?
Rain usually falls over a large area, so it likely rained in nearby places too. We can ask neighbours, relatives in nearby towns, or check the news to find out.

(iii) Did the rain make everyone happy?
Rain makes farmers happy because their crops get water. Children enjoy playing in the rain. However, people who work outdoors (like construction workers or vendors) may find heavy rain difficult. People whose homes flood may feel worried. So rain makes some people happy and causes problems for others.

Where does rainwater go?

1. On soil/mud: Rainwater soaks (gets absorbed) into the soil. It slowly moves underground and may join streams, ponds, or get stored between rocks as groundwater. This is the source of water in wells.

2. On hard surfaces (roads, concrete): Rainwater cannot be absorbed. It flows away into drains, streams, or collects in low-lying areas as puddles.

3. On leaves and plants: Some water is absorbed by plant roots; some drips off leaves.

4. In low areas: Water collects in puddles, ponds, and lakes.

5. Streams and rivers: Water flowing in streams joins rivers, which eventually flow into seas and oceans.

After the rain stops and the sun comes out:
The sun heats the water in puddles, ponds, and wet surfaces. The water evaporates (turns into water vapour) and goes back into the air. This water vapour later forms clouds, and the cycle continues.

Activities for which we need water:
1. Drinking
2. Cooking food
3. Washing utensils/dishes
4. Bathing/showering
5. Brushing teeth
6. Washing clothes
7. Cleaning the house/mopping floors
8. Watering plants and crops
9. Flushing the toilet
10. Washing fruits and vegetables
11. Making tea, juice, or other drinks
12. Swimming
13. Putting out fires
14. Industrial uses (making things in factories)

Water used for brushing teeth:
If we keep the tap running, we use about 2–3 mugs of water. If we use a mug and turn off the tap, we use only 1 mug. It is better to use a mug to save water.

Water used for a shower:
A short shower of 5 minutes uses about 30–40 litres of water. A bucket bath uses only about 15–20 litres. Using a bucket is more water-efficient.

*(Students should measure and record their own usage.)*

Sample Answer:
Yes, once the water supply in our area was cut off for a day due to a pipe repair. We had to:
1. Use the water stored in our overhead tank and buckets.
2. Be very careful not to waste any water.
3. Use less water for bathing and washing.
4. Our neighbours helped us by sharing some water.

This experience taught me how precious water is and why we should always store some water and never waste it.

*(Students should write their own personal experience.)*

Sample Answer:

Vessels used at home today:
- Plastic water bottles
- Steel/plastic water tanks (overhead)
- Plastic buckets and mugs
- Glass/steel jugs and bottles
- Refrigerator water bottles

Vessels elders used in the past:
- Clay/earthen pots (matka/ghada) — these keep water cool naturally
- Copper vessels (lota, gaggar) — copper is believed to purify water
- Brass pots
- Wooden barrels

Were they different? Yes, earlier people mostly used clay, copper, and brass vessels. Now we mostly use plastic and steel.

Different names (examples):
- Matka / Ghada (clay pot) — Hindi
- Gaggar (brass/copper pot) — Punjabi
- Handi — clay cooking/storage pot
- Kolshi — Bengali clay pot

*(Students should draw their chosen vessel and write its local name. They should also observe and count how many different kinds of vessels their classmates have drawn and note any patterns or designs on them.)*