WORKSHOP ON ONLINE TOOLS

"Sofia e la Rete Invisibile: Una Storia di Coraggio e Consapevolezza" Sofia, una vivace adolescente di 15 anni, amava trascorrere il suo tempo libero online. Era un modo per connettersi con amici, scoprire nuove passioni e rimanere aggiornata sulle ultime tendenze. Tuttavia, Sofia non sapeva che dietro la brillantezza dello schermo si celavano pericoli che avrebbero messo alla prova la sua sicurezza e la sua forza interiore. Un giorno, Sofia ricevette una richiesta di amicizia da un ragazzo molto affascinante di nome Marco. Era il classico "ragazzo perfetto" con interessi simili ai suoi e sembrava conoscerla molto bene. Iniziarono a chattare e Marco sembrava davvero interessato a lei. Presto, i loro messaggi divennero sempre più frequenti, fino a diventare un'abitudine quotidiana. Tuttavia, Sofia non sapeva che dietro l'immagine perfetta di Marco si nascondevano pericoli nascosti. Marco era un abile truffatore virtuale che mirava a sfruttare gli adolescenti online per scopi personali. Marco iniziò ad applicare una serie di tattiche per ingannare Sofia. Utilizzò il grooming per guadagnarsi la sua fiducia, facendole credere di essere una persona di cui potersi fidare. Conquistò il cuore di Sofia e poi iniziò a spingerla a partecipare a una pericolosa sfida online, promettendo popolarità e riconoscimento tra i suoi amici virtuali(challenge) Incuriosita dalle potenziali ricompense, Sofia decise di accettare la sfida, ignara dei rischi nascosti dietro di essa. Ma ciò che sembrava un gioco innocente si trasformò rapidamente in un incubo. La sfida si rivelò manipolata da Marco per coinvolgere gli adolescenti in atti illegali, mettendo in pericolo la loro sicurezza. Successivamente, Marco sfruttò la fiducia guadagnata per spingere Sofia a inviare foto intime di sé stessa. Sostenne che fosse un modo per dimostrare il loro amore virtuale. Ignorando i pericoli del sexting, Sofia acconsentì, inconsapevole delle conseguenze che avrebbe affrontato in seguito. Ciò che Sofia non sapeva era che Marco aveva intenzione di usare quelle foto per ricattarla. Iniziò a minacciarla, dicendole che se non avesse fatto quello che voleva, avrebbe pubblicato le foto su internet. Sofia era terrorizzata e si sentiva intrappolata in una spirale di minacce e abuso emotivo. Determinata a liberarsi dalle grinfie di Marco, Sofia prese coraggio e decise di agire. Si aprì con sua madre, raccontandole l'intera storia e i pericoli a cui era esposta. Insieme, presero le misure necessarie per proteggere Sofia. Bloccarono e segnalarono Marco su tutti i suoi account di social media e di chat. Questo passo cruciale ha impedito a Marco di contattarla e di avere ulteriori influenze sulla sua vita online. Sofia non si fermò qui. Raccolse prove delle minacce, dei messaggi ingannevoli e del ricatto perpetrato da Marco. Fece screenshot delle conversazioni e salvò copie dei messaggi ricevuti, creando una solida documentazione delle azioni di Marco. Queste prove sarebbero state fondamentali per intraprendere azioni legali e proteggere se stessa. Con le prove in mano, Sofia decise di segnalare l'account di Marco alle piattaforme e ai servizi di social media che stavano utilizzando. Fornì loro tutte le prove raccolte, consentendo loro di prendere provvedimenti contro il comportamento dannoso di Marco. Rendendo le autorità competenti consapevoli della situazione, Sofia coinvolse la polizia postale o un'organizzazione specializzata in crimini informatici. Fornì loro tutte le prove e le informazioni necessarie per avviare un'indagine approfondita su Marco. Sofia sapeva che doveva anche cercare supporto da esperti di sicurezza informatica specializzati in questioni di cybercrimine. Ottenne consigli su come proteggersi meglio online e su come prevenire situazioni simili in futuro. Questa consulenza le permise di comprendere meglio i pericoli della rete e di acquisire le competenze necessarie per proteggersi e navigare in modo sicuro online. Con coraggio e determinazione, Sofia prese misure concrete per liberarsi da Marco e proteggere se stessa. La sua storia è un esempio di resilienza e consapevolezza per gli altri adolescenti che potrebbero trovarsi in situazioni simili. Sofia ha dimostrato che è possibile combattere i pericoli della rete e ottenere giustizia, cercando il sostegno delle persone fidate, utilizzando le risorse a disposizione e facendo sentire la propria voce "La Missione Digitale: Proteggere il Mondo Virtuale" C'era una volta un gruppo di studenti di 15 anni, conosciuti come "The Digital Defenders", che avevano un talento speciale per la tecnologia. Amavano esplorare il mondo digitale e sfruttarne le opportunità. Ma un giorno, un pericoloso nemico minacciò la tranquillità del loro mondo virtuale. Questo nemico malvagio era conosciuto come "Il Cacciatore Digitale". Il suo scopo era infiltrarsi nei computer degli utenti, rubare informazioni personali e diffondere caos attraverso il cyberspazio. Il Cacciatore Digitale utilizzava diverse armi per raggiungere i suoi scopi. Una delle sue armi più potenti era il "Fishing". Usava messaggi ingannevoli e siti web contraffatti per cercare di catturare le informazioni personali degli utenti. Si fingeva spesso una figura di autorità, cercando di indurre gli utenti a fornire le loro password o i dati sensibili. Ma i Digital Defenders non si sarebbero arresi facilmente. Si misero all'opera per difendere il loro mondo digitale. Si dotarono di antivirus e antimalware potenti per combattere i virus e gli spyware, che erano armi preferite del Cacciatore Digitale. I Digital Defenders si addestrarono per riconoscere le trappole del Cacciatore Digitale. Impararono a identificare gli avvisi di sicurezza, a evitare di cliccare su link sospetti e a non aprire allegati di email provenienti da mittenti non fidati. Era fondamentale essere cauti e diffidare delle richieste di inserire informazioni personali su siti web non sicuri. Un altro strumento importante nella loro difesa era l'uso di password sicure. I Digital Defenders impararono che una password sicura doveva essere lunga, contenere una combinazione di lettere maiuscole e minuscole, numeri e caratteri speciali. Evitarono di utilizzare password facili da indovinare come nomi di animali domestici o date di compleanno. I Digital Defenders erano consapevoli che i cookie, piccoli file salvati sui loro dispositivi, potevano rivelare informazioni personali e tracciare le loro attività online. Impararono a gestire le impostazioni dei cookie nei loro browser e a cancellarli regolarmente per proteggere la loro privacy. Infine, i Digital Defenders si unirono a una missione importante: educare gli altri studenti sulla sicurezza digitale. Organizzarono workshop nelle loro scuole, condivisero consigli sui social media e si impegnarono a diffondere la consapevolezza sugli attacchi digitali e le misure di sicurezza. La loro missione ebbe successo. Gli studenti impararono ad affrontare il Cacciatore Digitale con fiducia. Ognuno di loro divenne un difensore digitale, pronti a proteggere il mondo virtuale. Con il loro impegno e la loro determinazione, i Digital Defenders riuscirono a sconfiggere il Cacciatore Digitale e a proteggere il mondo virtuale. La loro storia è un monito per tutti gli studenti di 15 anni, invitandoli a essere consapevoli dei pericoli digitali e a prendere misure per proteggere la loro sicurezza e privacy online. "La Conquista della Libertà Digitale: Il Viaggio di Luca" C'era una volta un ragazzo di nome Luca, un adolescente di 15 anni, che si trovava nel bel mezzo di una sfida epica: la conquista della libertà digitale. Luca amava il mondo online, passava ore a navigare sui social media, a giocare a videogiochi e a guardare video su Internet. Ma pian piano, si rese conto che la sua passione per la tecnologia stava prendendo il controllo della sua vita. Luca iniziò a notare che stava diventando sempre più dipendente da Internet. Passava notti insonni a chattare con gli amici virtuali e a navigare senza sosta, trascurando i suoi compiti scolastici e gli hobby che un tempo lo appassionavano. La sua dipendenza stava mettendo a rischio i suoi rapporti personali e la sua salute mentale. Un giorno, Luca si imbatté in una comunità online chiamata "Digital Freedom Fighters", formata da giovani coraggiosi che cercavano di liberarsi dalla dipendenza da Internet. Si unì a loro e insieme intrapresero un viaggio di autodisciplina e consapevolezza. Luca imparò che la sua dipendenza da Internet poteva essere causata dalla sindrome di "FOMO" (Fear of Missing Out), la paura di perdere qualcosa di importante o di essere escluso, e dalla sindrome di "FoMOB" (Fear of Missing Out on Better), la paura di perdere qualcosa di ancora migliore. La costante paura di perdere o di essere escluso lo spingeva a controllare continuamente il suo telefono e a rimanere connesso in ogni momento. I Digital Freedom Fighters guidarono Luca attraverso una serie di sfide per aiutarlo a prendere il controllo della sua vita digitale. La prima sfida consisteva nel fissare degli orari specifici per l'uso di Internet e dei dispositivi digitali. Luca si impegnò a dedicare del tempo alle attività offline, come leggere un libro, fare sport o trascorrere del tempo con la famiglia e gli amici. La seconda sfida consisteva nel disconnettersi completamente per un intero giorno. Luca si rese conto di quanto fosse dipendente dai suoi dispositivi quando provò l'ansia da disconnessione. Ma, col tempo, imparò ad apprezzare la libertà che deriva dal distacco digitale e a vivere il momento presente senza la costante interferenza della tecnologia. La terza sfida era quella di creare un diario delle emozioni. Luca iniziò a tenere traccia delle sue emozioni quando era online e quando era offline. Questo gli permise di comprendere meglio il suo stato mentale e le motivazioni dietro il suo comportamento digitale. Scoprì che spesso cercava distrazione o evasione attraverso Internet, ma che poteva trovare modi più sani per gestire le sue emozioni. Affrontando questi nuovi ostacoli, Luca si rese conto di essere affetto anche da nomofobia, la paura di essere senza il suo telefono o di non poter accedere a Internet. Questa paura lo rendeva ansioso e incapace di distogliere lo sguardo dallo schermo. Inoltre, Luca scoprì di essere a rischio di sviluppare la sindrome di "hikikomori", un fenomeno in cui le persone si ritirano completamente dalla società reale e si isolano nel mondo virtuale. Si rese conto che era importante trovare un equilibrio tra la sua vita online e offline, per evitare di perdere il contatto con il mondo reale e le relazioni significative. Inoltre, Luca notò che la sua dipendenza da Internet stava influenzando anche la sua capacità di concentrarsi e di mantenere l'attenzione. Questo deficit dell'attenzione rendeva difficile per lui concentrarsi sui compiti scolastici o sulle conversazioni reali, poiché la sua mente era costantemente attratta dalle notifiche e dalle distrazioni digitali. Affrontando questi nuovi ostacoli, Luca si armò di strategie per gestire la sua nomofobia, il rischio di kikikomori e il deficit dell'attenzione. Imparò a mettere il telefono in modalità silenziosa o a disattivare le notifiche durante le attività importanti, così da ridurre le distrazioni. Utilizzò tecniche di gestione dello stress, come la meditazione e l'esercizio fisico, per controllare l'ansia e mantenersi focalizzato. Inoltre, Luca si impegnò a impegnarsi in attività offline gratificanti, come la lettura di libri, la pratica di un hobby o il volontariato, per riempire il vuoto creato dalla sua dipendenza da Internet. Trovò nuovi modi per connettersi con gli altri nella vita reale, partecipando a gruppi di interesse comune e creando legami significativi. Con il passare del tempo, Luca riuscì a ritrovare l'equilibrio tra la sua vita digitale e quella reale. Sperimentò una maggiore soddisfazione nelle sue relazioni personali, un miglioramento delle prestazioni scolastiche e una maggiore consapevolezza del tempo trascorso online. La storia di Luca è un monito per gli studenti di 15 anni, invitandoli a riflettere sull'importanza di gestire in modo sano e consapevole la propria presenza online. È essenziale trovare un equilibrio tra il mondo digitale e quello reale, evitando le trappole della dipendenza e imparando a vivere una vita piena e significativa al di là dello schermo.

Create me a multiple choice test questions with 4 options on the following topic:Consumer Education for Different Audience 1. Children and Youth: - Focus: Building foundational knowledge about basic consumer concepts, making safe choices, understanding money and value, and recognizing scams and unsafe situations. 2. Teens and Young Adults: - Focus: Building financial literacy, responsible debt management, understanding contracts and agreements, responsible technology use, online safety, and consumer rights. 3. Working Adults and Families: - Focus: Managing budgets, making informed purchasing decisions, understanding credit and debt, finding consumer protection resources, and navigating complex financial products (mortgages, insurance, investments). 4. Seniors: - Focus: Protecting themselves from scams and fraud, understanding common consumer issues like telemarketing, identity theft, and online scams, managing medications and healthcare costs, and accessing community resources. 5. Special Populations: - Focus: Adapting consumer education programs to the specific needs of people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities. 6. Business and Industry:- Focus: Understanding ethical marketing practices, complying with consumer protection laws, and providing clear and accurate information to consumers. 7. Policymakers and Regulators: - Focus: Understanding consumer needs, developing effective consumer protection laws, enforcing regulations, and ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace. Adapting consumer education programs for children, teens, and seniors requires tailoring content and delivery methods to their unique needs and learning styles. Children (Ages 5-12): - Understanding the concept of money: Teaching children about saving, spending, and the value of money. - Developing basic budgeting skills: Helping children learn to make choices about how to spend their allowance or pocket money. EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES •Focus on basic concepts: Introduce core concepts like saving, spending, and budgeting in a fun and engaging way. Use simple language and relatable examples. •Real-life scenarios: Use age-appropriate scenarios to illustrate financial concepts, like buying toys or snacks. •Parental involvement: Encourage parent participation and provide resources to help them reinforce lessons at home. Teens (Ages 13-18): - Building budgeting and financial planning skills: Teaching teens how to manage their money, set financial goals, and plan for the future. - Navigating the digital marketplace: Equipping teens with the knowledge and skills to make safe and informed online purchases, understand digital marketing, and protect themselves from scams. EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES • Practical skills: Focus on skills relevant to teens, like managing money for social activities, saving for college, and understanding credit cards. • Digital literacy: Address the growing influence of online shopping, social media advertising, and financial scams. • Real-world applications: Connect financial concepts to real-life decisions teens make, like choosing a part-time job or making purchases online. Seniors (Ages 65+) - Managing retirement savings and healthcare costs: Providing information and resources on retirement planning, Medicare and Medicaid, and other healthcare options. - Navigating the digital world: Offering technology training and resources to help seniors access online services and information safely and securely. EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES • Addressing specific concerns: Focus on topics relevant to senior citizens, like retirement planning, managing healthcare expenses, and avoiding scams. • Clear and concise communication: Use simple language and visual aids to ensure easy understanding. • Social interaction: Create opportunities for seniors to share experiences and learn from each other. Teaching Financial Literacy in school and Communities In Schools: Curriculum Integration: Financial literacy concepts can be seamlessly integrated into existing subjects, making learning more relevant and engaging. - Math: Budgeting exercises, calculating interest rates, analyzing financial data, and understanding compound interest are all natural applications of math skills. - Social Studies: Exploring the history of money, financial institutions, economic systems, and the impact of financial decisions on society provide valuable context. - Economics: Discussions about supply and demand, inflation, investment, and the role of consumers in the economy enhance financial literacy. Dedicated Courses: Offering elective courses or workshops specifically focused on personal finance provides deeper dives into crucial topics. - Personal Finance: Cover budgeting, saving, investing, credit, debt management, and insurance. - Entrepreneurship: Introduce concepts like business planning, marketing, financial forecasting, and managing cash flow. In Communities: Community Centers and Libraries: Workshops, seminars, and classes tailored to adults and families provide accessible learning opportunities. - Financial Planning: Cover budgeting, retirement planning, debt management, and estate planning. - Homeownership: Provide guidance on buying, selling, and maintaining a home. - Consumer Protection: Educate individuals about their rights and how to avoid scams. Partnerships with Financial Institutions: Collaborations with banks, credit unions, and financial advisors offer valuable resources, workshops, and financial literacy programs. Consumer Education for Low-Income and Vulnerable Populations Low-income refers to individuals or households with limited financial resources, typically below a certain threshold. Low-income individuals may face challenges like: 1. Limited education and job opportunities 2. Poor living conditions and housing 3. Food insecurity and malnutrition Causes of low income: 1. Unemployment or underemployment 2. Low-paying jobs or minimum wage 3. Limited education or skills 4. Single parenthood or large family size Vulnerable population'' is a term that is used to describe a group of people who possess some sort of disadvantage. elderly people, people with low incomes, homeless people, people in prison, migrant workers, pregnant women, Family Consumer Education: Managing Household Finances and Resources Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage personal finances effectively. 1. Debt Debt is money you spend that isn’t yours. If you borrow money from the bank, use a credit card, or take out a short-term loan, or a payday loan, you are accumulating debt. Good debt is considered money borrowed for things that are absolutely necessary for making a life e.g. a house and for advancing your money-making potential e.g. an education. Bad debt is considered borrowing money or using a credit card to pay for things you don’t need, such as expensive clothes, hi-tech electronics, eating out at restaurants, going on holidays, etc. 2. Saving Saving is an essential part of financial wellness, a secure present, and a happy future. 3. Budgeting Budgeting is the life skill of planning and managing your money. By understanding exactly where your money goes every month, you are empowered to create an actionable plan by which you can spend less, by curtailing those unnecessary expenses and saving more for the things you need and want. 4. Investing Investing is all about creating and growing the wealth you need to enjoy a financially secure and happy future. It’s about putting your money into something that will make you a profit over time, such as property, retirement funds, and unit trusts Integrating Consumer Education into the Home Economics Curriculum. Integrating consumer education into the home economics curriculum can provide students with essential skills for making informed choices about their personal finances, food, clothing, and overall well-being. Here are some strategies and ideas for effectively incorporating consumer education: Financial Literacy Budgeting: Teach students how to create and manage a personal budget, including setting financial goals, tracking expenses, and understanding savings. Saving and Investment: Cover the basics of saving, including different saving accounts, and introduce concepts related to investing. Food and Nutrition Food Label Literacy: Engage students in learning how to read and interpret food labels, including nutrition facts and ingredient lists. Grocery Shopping Skills: Teach students how to compare product costs, understand unit pricing, and make healthy, budget-friendly choices while shopping. Clothing and Textile Education Consumer Choices in Clothing:Discuss factors influencing clothing purchases, such as quality, price, and sustainability. Fashion and Trends: Analyze the impact of marketing and advertising on consumer behavior regarding clothing. Sustainable Purchasing Eco-Friendly Choices: Raise awareness about environmentally friendly products and the importance of sustainability in consumer choices. Project-Based Learning - Assign real-life projects where students must apply their knowledge, such as creating a meal plan within a budget, planning a shopping list based on nutrient needs, or evaluating the cost-effectiveness of different products. Technology Integration - Use technology to teach students about online shopping, price comparison websites, and apps that aid budgeting and financial planning. Collaborative Learning Opportunities - Organize team projects where students work together to solve consumer-related problems, emphasizing teamwork and communication skills. Assessment and Reflection - Incorporate assessments that allow students to reflect on what they have learned about consumer education and how they can apply these skills in their daily lives.

WORKSHOP ON CLINICAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS

2nd Day Workshop on Quizalize

QUIZ FOR MDP ON “WORKSHOP ON LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT FOR AMMUNITION & EXPLOSIVE”

School Based Workshop Assessment on Quizalize

Broken windows are covered. Floorboards are patched and doors screwed back on. The road that was ruined by German tanks is shovelled and raked smooth. Boot-shaped bruises turn yellow then fade and disappear. Flowers grow and spread across the ugly German footprints stomped into garden beds. The village looks pretty once more. School stops for the summer and everyone is put to work on the kolkhoz, the village farm. Women and big boys begin harvesting the barley crops in the outer fields. The biggest girls milk the cows, morning and night, and keep the barns clean. Old Nikolay mends ploughs, horse harnesses, pitchforks and scythes in his workshop. Anna Pushinka teaches Yelena and her friends how to get the honey from the beehives that are scattered through the orchards. I am in charge of collecting eggs. My friends Olga and Nina help. Olga and Nina are five, a year younger than me. They are twins and look exactly alike, except Nina’s nose is a little bit crooked from when she fell out of bed and squashed it sideways on the floor. The hens, ducks and geese wander free in the summer, so collecting eggs is like a treasure hunt and takes hours. Catching the hens for their daily hugs takes even longer, but I think it’s important because hugs make everyone happy and happy hens lay bigger eggs. Olga says I’m the best hen-hugger in all of Russia. Nina says I’ll be the best cow-hugger, too, when my arms grow longer. But good hugs have nothing to do with the size of your arms. It’s all to do with the size of your heart. When we are done with the hens, Olga, Nina and I can spend the rest of the day doing whatever we like. We climb the apricot trees, chase squirrels, lie in the meadow marvelling at how hot Ushanka’s black fur becomes in the sunshine, make daisy chains and race little boats of bark in the stream. I teach Olga and Nina the alphabet and we use charcoal to write our letters and our names all over the village – on doors and walls and the freshly cut ends of firewood. In between, I practise my knots. In case the German princemonsters return. I slip into Old Nikolay’s workshop and tie knots in the harnesses hanging on the walls. I wander into gardens where the washing is hung out to dry and tie knots in the laces on pants and smocks. I creep up behind Anna Pushinka and tie knots in her apron strings. I find baling twine in the hay shed and tie my own ankles together. I do such a good job of these last knots that I can’t get them undone. I have to jump all the way to Olga and Nina’s house and ask them to cut me free with their mama’s knife. At the end of each day, Ushanka and I run out into the distant barley fields to meet Mama. This is my favourite part of the day, because Mama always shouts, ‘Little Rabbit!’ and smothers my head with kisses. And as we walk home, we sing. Everyone – women, big boys and me. I love to sing. Almost as much as I love to be kissed by Mama. Sometimes one of the boys, Mikhail, has his balalaika with him. He takes the instrument out from beneath the sheaves of barley piled high on the wagon and plays music. We sing about forests and orchards and people who find their true love. As we walk home, arm in arm, my heart fills with happiness and my belly swells with pride that I am allowed to sing along with the big boys. And I can almost forget about the German prince-monsters and their lies about Russia and their big ugly boots. Almost. But today, when Mikhail reaches for his balalaika, I see other things hiding beneath the barley sheaves. Three of the mamas rush forward and cover them up, but it’s too late. I know they are there. I’ve already seen them. Rifles. Lots of rifles. Mikhail hugs his balalaika to his chest and blushes. ‘So play!’ cries Mama, her voice oddly loud and high. ‘Let’s play Sasha’s favourite song, “The Little Birch Tree”.’ So Mikhail plays and everyone sings about the lovely birch tree with its curly leaves and the branches that will be turned into silver flutes. They sing too quickly, too loudly, and as they sing and walk, they cast nervous sideways glances at me. ‘It’s alright,’ I say, when the song comes to an end. ‘I didn’t see the rifles.’ Mama nods and smiles, and I know it was the right thing to say. But I did see the rifles. And I think about Yelena wanting to get lots of guns and dynamite for the Partisans so they can shoot the Germans and blow them into thousands of tiny pieces, and Mama looking as though she agreed, and I know this is what the mamas and the big boys are doing. As well as harvesting, they are helping the Partisans. Three days later, I wake before dawn and I am all alone. Yelena is always here beside me when I wake. But not this morning. I climb down from our bed above the stove. Mama is filling a cloth sack with bread. She ties it closed with a piece of string and hands it to Yelena. ‘Stay out of sight,’ says Mama. ‘And don’t return until after dark.’ ‘Where’s she going?’ I ask. ‘Nowhere,’ snaps Mama. ‘Then why does she need all that bread?’ I ask. ‘There’s nothing left for us.’ Mama baked four loaves last night and she has stuffed them all into the sack. Yelena opens her mouth, but before she can speak, Mama shoves her out the door and sends her on the way to nowhere. Mama turns and stares at me, her blue, blue cornflower eyes wide with worry. ‘I know,’ I say, flopping down on the bench. ‘I didn’t see any bread.’ Mama sits beside me and takes my hand. ‘And . . .?’ she prods, obviously waiting for more. I puzzle for a while, then say, ‘And I don’t have a sister called Yelena.’ Mama laughs, softly and with a little bit of sadness around the edges. ‘Sweet Little Rabbit! You do have a sister called Yelena.’ ‘I do?’ I ask, now confused. ‘I haven’t seen the rifles or the bread, but I have seen Yelena?’ ‘Yes.’ Mama smiles and the magic makes me smile, too. And I am glad that Yelena is real because I love her very much. ‘Yelena is real,’ Mama explains, ‘but she does not carry sacks of bread into the forest for the Partisans.’ ‘Of course not!’ I shout, slapping my forehead. ‘Because there is no bread!’ Mama laughs loudly now, with not a hint of sadness. She hugs me, pressing me against her warm, loving heart, covering my head with kisses. ‘Clever Little Rabbit,’ she murmurs, and then, in barely a whisper, ‘Your papa would be so proud.’ When I wake the next morning, Yelena is sleeping beside me, her mouth open, her braided hair unravelling. Mama is serving kasha to a strange woman seated at our table. I crawl down from above the stove and slide along the bench beside her. I stare at her pants, her tunic, the rope she is using as a belt and her big boots. She’s dressed like a man! And there’s a rifle leaning against the wall near the door. ‘Hello,’ I say. ‘I’m Sasha.’ The woman doesn’t reply. She just shovels down her kasha. I line my four wooden bears along the table in front of her bowl and say, ‘These are my bears: Big Bear, Medium Bear, Little Bear and Even Littler Bear.’ ‘Hello, Sasha. Hello, bears.’ She smiles but she doesn’t tell me her name. ‘Why are you dressed like a man?’ I ask, tugging at the sleeve of her tunic. ‘Because men’s clothes make it easier to run and climb and crawl and shoot,’ she says. ‘You’re a Partisan!’ I gasp. ‘But she’s not real,’ says Mama, placing a bowl of kasha before me. ‘Is the kasha real?’ I ask. Mama laughs. ‘Yes, Little Rabbit.’ I’m glad the food is real, because I’m hungry. But I’m disappointed that the woman is not real. I was going to ask if I could use her rope-belt to tie her ankles together. For practice. But if she’s not real, then the rope and her ankles aren’t either. The woman finishes her kasha, hangs her rifle over her shoulder, kisses Mama on the cheek then slips out the door. I run to the window to watch her leave, but by the time I get there, she’s gone. Vanished. ‘Because she’s not real,’ I whisper. A week later, Mama and I are working in the garden. We sing as we weed between the flowers and pluck caterpillars from the vegetables. Anna Pushinka is picking strawberries in her garden and wanders over. ‘Taste these,’ she says, holding out the basket. Mama reaches in and takes out a fat strawberry and a tiny piece of folded paper. The strawberry goes into her mouth, the paper into her pocket. ‘What’s on the paper?’ I ask. ‘Paper?’ Anna Pushinka replies with a wave of her hand. ‘Goodness, Sasha! Who has money for paper? These are lean times. We must choose between paper for writing and noodles for our soup. And I always choose noodles.’ She chuckles and I know the paper is yet another thing that is not real. That night, Mama slips the paper to Yelena, but she drops it on the floor. I pick it up for her, and I see that there are tiny words and numbers written all over it. I wish I could read better. I’m desperate to know what it says. Or rather, what it doesn’t say, because it’s not real. Later, when Mama has tucked us into our bed above the stove and Ushanka has wrapped herself around the top of my head, I ask Yelena, ‘What’s on the paper?’ ‘What paper?’ says Yelena. ‘The paper that isn’t real,’ I reply. Yelena stares at me, nibbling her lip, then whispers, ‘A message for the Partisans. Stuff about where the Germans have their headquarters and when their trains are travelling and where they store their ammunition.’ ‘Why?’ ‘So the Partisans can blow them up.’ Yelena grabs my arm. ‘But don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret.’ ‘What’s a secret?’ I ask. ‘The message.’ ‘What message?’ I say, my eyes wide. Yelena laughs. ‘Good boy, Sasha.’ My belly swells with pride. I know how to play this game. ‘How are your knots coming along?’ asks Yelena. ‘Good! Yesterday, I crept into the dairy and tied knots in the apron strings of all the girls who were milking and only one of them noticed. Today, I tied Olga’s ankles together with Mama’s embroidery thread and just now, while you were taking a bath, I tied the sleeves of your blouse together in an enormous knot.’ Yelena rolls her eyes, then says, ‘I’ll see if I can find you some rope for practising.’ ‘Practising what?’ I ask. ‘Your knots,’ she says. ‘What knots?’ Yelena, my big sister who is twelve and always serious t

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