The Book
Later that evening, after the chaos had died down and the neighbours had stopped peering over the fence, Smudge sat on his bed, staring at the charred remains of his chemistry set. His birthday had started with so much promise—presents, cake, and the excitement of a new experiment. Now, it felt like a disaster.
He sighed, running a hand through his singed hair. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. He’d been so excited to try his new chemistry set, and now it was just a pile of blackened plastic.
Just as he was about to give up on the day entirely, there was a soft knock on the door. ‘Smudge,’ his mum said as she stepped in, holding a small, beautifully wrapped package. ‘I saved this one for last,’ she said, sitting down beside him.
Smudge looked at the package, his curiosity piqued despite the day’s events. ‘What is it?’
‘Open it and see,’ his mum said, handing it to him.
Smudge tore off the wrapping paper to reveal a book. The cover was adorned with intricate patterns and the words ‘The Seven Chakras: A Journey to Balance and Harmony.’
‘Chakras?’ Smudge said, wrinkling his nose. ‘What are they?’
‘Well, you’ll have to read it to find out,’ his mum explained. ‘I thought it might help you… channel your energy in a more constructive way.’
Smudge flipped through the pages, his eyes skimming over the colourful diagrams and symbols. It looked complicated—and maybe a little boring.
‘Cheers, Mum,’ he said, not wanting to upset her. ‘I’ll read it later.’
His mum smiled and ruffled his singed hair. ‘You do that. And remember, Smudge, it’s okay to make mistakes. Just try to learn from them, all right?’
Smudge nodded, though he wasn’t entirely sure what he was supposed to learn from blowing up a shed.
As his mum left the room, Smudge looked at the book carefully. The intricate patterns on the cover seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. They reminded him of something he couldn’t quite name. For a moment, he almost opened it—but then he shook his head, setting it on his bookshelf with all the other books he’d never read.
Maybe later, he thought, turning off the light and pulling the covers over his head.
The Circle of Calm and Balance
Smudge wasn’t ready to dive into chakras just yet… but circles? Circles he could get behind. He was enjoying the geometry set—and the compass was now practically begging to be used. Why not?
Draw a straight line
Use your ruler to draw one clean horizontal line across the middle of your page.
Find the centre
Measure the line and mark the exact middle point.
Take out your compass
Attach your pencil securely. Make sure the lead isn’t too long, too short or too loose—it needs to hold steady.
Draw your circle
- Adjust the compass pencil arm so it’s the perfect size for a circle.
- Place the compass point on the line centre mark.
- Carefully draw your circle so it sits perfectly on the line.
Done? Take a breath.
Notice how it feels to focus, to create something balanced and still. Smudge might not know it yet—but this is the beginning of something important.