My Neighbor in My Roti

Have you ever stopped to think about where your energy comes from? Not just the food you eat, but the whole story behind it? A woman named Brinda discovered something amazing while making roti, a type of flatbread. As she kneaded the dough, she realized the energy in her hands came from a plum she'd just eaten from her neighbor's tree. But it wasn't just any neighbor—it was the friend who goes to protest marches with her, who knits dog sweaters, and who shares her plums with everyone in the neighborhood.

The more Brinda thought about it, the more connections she saw. Her energy also came from avocados from another neighbor's tree, given to her by a friend who loves sharing the neighborhood's fruit. That energy came from peaches shared at a summer party, from smiles and hugs, from a neighbor who teaches kids to swim, and from countless small acts of kindness. But the story doesn't stop with neighbors. Brinda realized her roti connected her to farmers who grew the wheat, workers who milled it into flour, the cashier at the store, even the rain clouds that watered everything. Every bite of food carries an invisible web of connections—to nature, to strangers, and to the people right next door.

When Brinda tasted her roti that evening, she wasn't just tasting bread. She was tasting sunshine, generosity, community, and the beautiful truth that we're all connected through countless small gifts we give and receive every single day.

Let's Talk About It

1. Think about something you ate today. Can you trace it backward like Brinda did? Where did it come from, and who helped bring it to your table?

2. Brinda's neighbors share fruit, bake treats for each other, and help out in small ways. What's something your family shares with neighbors or friends? What's something you've received from others?

3. The story says "energy radiates" from smiles, hugs, and conversations, not just from food. Have you ever felt energized or happier after spending time with someone? How does kindness give us energy?

4. If you could start one small tradition of sharing or kindness in your neighborhood or community (like Brinda's neighbors do), what would it be?

After-Dinner Experiment

Pick one meal this week to trace together as a family. Choose a simple food—bread, rice, an apple, or tonight's main dish. On a large piece of paper, draw or write the journey that food took to reach your table. Include the farmers, the soil, the rain, the truck drivers, the grocery workers, and anyone else involved. Then pick one group of people in that chain—maybe farmers, or grocery store workers—and think of one way to honor their work. You might write a thank-you note to leave at the store, say a special thanks before your meal, or donate to an organization that supports farm workers. The goal is to see and appreciate the invisible web of hands and hearts that feed you every day.