1. Mahatma Gandhi
by: Natalie Eddy
On October 2, 1869, in Gujarat, India, Mohandas (Mahatma) Karamchand
Gandhi was born. He was born into a wealthy Hindu family who strongly believed
in nonviolence. His actions and speeches changed the world forever, and he will
always be remembered for helping free India from the British rule. (Days of
Decision: Gandhi and the Quit India Movement)
Gandhi was born to be a leader. For six generations, the Gandhi family had
been Prime Minister of India. His family also believed in fasting, which is not
eating for different reasons. He did not get a good education when he was young
because there was segregation because of the class system in India. (Days of
Decision: Gandhi and the Quit India Movement)
Gandhi was married at 13 to a girl named Kasturba. She thought it was funny
how he slept with the light on because he was afraid of the dark. Gandhi would
later speak out against marrying this young. He went to Britain to study law at 18.
He bought a first class ticket on a train, but because of segregation, he was thrown
off the train. He also led marches. The Salt March was his most successful march.
They were marching for the high tax the British put on salt. After 21 days, the
marchers reached the salt fields. Each marcher picked up a pinch of salt. Gandhi
was arrested with over 30,000 others because the British thought that the Indians
were 'contaminated' and they didn't want their salt 'contaminated'. (Days of
Decision: Gandhi and the Quit India Movement, Jen Green) (Heroes for All
Times, Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce) (Gandhi by: Jennifer
Dobner)
One day, after the British had left India, Gandhi was at church, and he was late
for a prayer. An extremist named Nathuram Godse was at the front. "You're late,"
he said. "I know," said Gandhi. Godse pulled out a small revolver and shot Gandhi
three times; twice in the stomach, and once in the chest. "Rama" was his last
words. Rama is God in Hindi. (Days of Decision: Gandhi and the Quit India
Movement) (Gandhi by: Jennifer Dobner)
Gandhi was a great influence on people's lives. Reverend Martin Luther King
Jr. read his novels and speeches, and he was deeply moved. Someday, I will fight
for people's rights and lead peaceful marches. (Days of Decision: Gandhi and the
2. Quit India Movement)
He was born as Mohandas Gandhi, and died as Mahatma Gandhi. Why was
his name changed? His people called him Mahatma because it meant 'great soul.'
He was scared of many things, but he was brave enough to stand up to what he
thought was right and lead those peaceful marches. That is why Gandhi was one
of the greatest people in history. (Days of Decision: Gandhi and the Quit India
Movement)
Bibliography
Days of Decision: Gandhi and the Quit India Movement by: Jen Green
Heroes for All Times by: Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce
Gandhi by: Jennifer Dobner, Leveled Book U, RAZ Kids