Today on April 1, there was no fooling around when it came to presenting ideas and energy for harmony and friendship. At P.S. 335 we were welcomed quite enthusiastically by Nicole Brown, the Physical Education teacher, and over 300 children in the auditorium. There was a small instrumental group of children playing the drums and a trumpet, with the music teacher playing the piano and leading the children in the World Harmony Run Theme song composed by Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Run.

It was a well-behaved large group of children who also offered us some essays on the topic of harmony and peace.

After the indoor program we went outdoors to allow the children to run with the Torch.

This is always the highlight of the program as the children get to experience, first-hand, the excitement and energy of running with the Torch.

In another area of Brooklyn we were hosted by the St. Mark's Day School. With stirring introductions from both Vice Principal Derek Smith and Father Henry, we found ourselves on stage facing over 100 children with shining faces and wonderful smiles. Most of them were wearing the school uniforms with bright red blazers, and it looked as if they were all part of a brilliant flame of harmony and peace. After our introductions and short program, the children offered us a very stirring program of their own. Some of the children read out inspirational poems on theme of harmony. In the poem called 'The Power of Love' by Helen Steiner Rice, the last lines read:

“…For the amazing power of love

Is beyond all compression

And it alone can heal this world

Of its hatred and dissension.”

Some of the children then offered a sweet recorder instrumental performance and there was also a Spanish reading related to harmony.

The Musical Director led the children in a song and then led us all in the World Harmony Run song very enthusiastically. Some of the children were dressed in their running clothes and then proceeded to follow Allan, the Physical Education Teacher, around the long block surrounding the school as they enthusiastically took turns carrying the Torch.

It was a very well organized and energetic program that we will carry with us in our hearts as we proceed through this vast and varied city of New York.

Moving out towards the Bedford area of Brooklyn, which by itself would be the fifth largest city in this country with over two and half million people, we took the Torch to over 100 children waiting excitedly for us at the Boys and Girls Club of Madison. Stan King, the Executive Director, met us at the door and carried the Torch into the energy-packed auditorium. Unfortunately it was still raining lightly and we could not go outside to let the children run with the Torch. But during our program the children did get to run around the gym as they followed the councilors and staff.

The children also presented many colorful and meaningful posters they had made along the theme of harmony and peace.

With a local cable television station there, everyone was excited and impressed that their event was worthy of this kind of attention. We feel that any efforts to promote friendship, harmony and community programs, especially for the children, should be noticed and shared with the community. Mr. King and his staff are doing just that as the children seemed very happy and enthusiastic. We had an opportunity to talk to the children individually following the program and heard some very interesting and perceptive comments and questions that reflected a deeper understanding and curiosity about the nature of the World Harmony Run.

We are very grateful to all the schools that greeted us today and treated us to very lively and energetic programs. The children and teachers seemed filled with appreciation and enthusiasm for our efforts as we travel the world with harmony in our hearts symbolized by this Torch of light.

The International Team in New York

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