The sun was shining as three teams of children gathered around a clearing in the forest. Their teacher said, “Today’s challenge is all about survival skills, fire-making! Each team will use a different method to build and light a fire. Let’s see which method is the fastest, easiest, and safest!”

Team 1: The Match Masters

Riya and her team were given a box of matches. They started by gathering dry leaves and grass, then added small sticks.

Riya struck a match, but the first one blew out in the breeze. The team learned to shield the flame with their hands, and on the second try, their fire caught. They quickly fed it with larger sticks, creating a warm fire.

🔥 Time Taken: 5 minutes

🔥 Easy: Yes, the matches made it quick and simple to start.

🔥 Safe: No, the matches were vulnerable to wind and could have blown into the grass if not handled carefully.

🔥 Lesson Learned: Matches are quick but tricky in windy conditions.

• Do you use candles at home?
• Who usually lights them, and how do they do it?
• Have you ever lit a match? Was it easy or tricky?
• Do you know what happens if you strike a match too hard or too slowly?
• Do you know where your family keeps matches or lighters?
• What rules do you follow to stay safe when using them?
• Have you ever used matches to light a campfire or a barbecue?
• Do you think lighting a fire is exciting, scary, or both? Why?
• What would you do if the first match didn’t light?
• If it’s windy outside, how can you protect the flame from going out?