A Letter to Maysam

June 21, 2025

Noon

Dear Maysam,

It’s been almost six weeks since I began my involuntary servitude and incarceration at the retirement home. It’s real name is Excelsior Villa, but I call it The Village. Sally is a harsh taskmaster. She has me chained to the heavy metal frame of our waterbed and demands that we have sex at least six times a day. Which would be hard enough, so to speak, but my girlfriend, Sadie, insists on trysting with me two or three times daily, when Sally is out with her alcoholic friends, enjoying 4-martini lunches and other debauchery. The physical demands on me are so great that I now consume at least 12,000 calories a day, like a mountain climber scaling Everest or something. Still, I feel lightheaded–low blood sugar, probably. Lemme grab an energy bar.

How are things with you in Tehran? The old man was on the news today, bragging about bombing Iran back to the stoneage. What an arsehole. I’ve taken to Twitter (X) and have been giving him what for. Oops! I just heard the door. Sally is back home; she’s singing German drinking songs, for Chrissake! Gotta go. I’ll email you again later.

Duke

June 21 2025

12:05pm

Hi Maysam,

Sorry to keep you, but Sally had “an itch,” she said. It took longer than usual this time. She brought me my dinner: white hominey and boiled chicken. Ugh! She told me she’s going to release me for a while on Thursday night but I better be on my best behavior. She’ll have a taser, she warned. She wants to take me to a communal supper here at The Village. Sally is entered into a chili competition, but it doesn’t bode well. She makes an incredible glop she calls bison-head chili. She plops a full-size, 60-lb. bison head, fur and horns and all, into a 10-gallon stock pot and cooks it to death. Then she adds tomatoes and beans and onions and all the rest, and she calls this chili. I hope she doesn’t make me eat it. It’s not fit for man nor beast. I’ll write you again in a few days, Maysam. I hear Sally again–gulp!

Duke

June 23, 2025

10:32am

Hello again, Maysam,

Well, the chili supper was a fiasco. Not only did the apartment reek from the simmering bison head all day and all night, but another resident–that’s what we’re called, residents–made bison head chili as well. Sally got so pissed that she secretly emptied a large bottle of Geritol into the other woman’s concoction and everyone got the runs. Oy veh!

How is your writing coming along? I subbed to a newly “literary” rag that once deigned to publish me, but now has an acceptance rate of <1%. Miserable shitheels! I subbed them my much-acclaimed story, the old reliable “Brainy Bike,” you know, the one about the dipshit actuary from the future that buys an AI motorcycle. Well, the publisher, Charlie Fishface, turned his snooty nose up at my creation. But I fixed him: I learned the location of his office in the UK, and I hired a guy to ring his doorbell and run. Gotta go: Sadie just peeped her pretty blonde head in through my window. Luckily, I saved a bottle of that peach vodka.

Duke

July 25, 2025

10:06aj

Good morning, Maysam (I guess it’s evening where you’re at),

Sally decided that my drinking had gotten out of control, so she sent me to AA. But, because she said she can’t trust me to be out and about amongst hoi polloi, she instead purchased some AA videos which she instructed me to watch on the flatscreen TV in our bedroom while I’m chained to the bed.

I thought, what the hell, I’d give it a shot, and so I turned it on. It was a talk given by the Reverend Over Berring, some evangelical televangelist and was he ever full of shit. He had a 13-step program. I know, you’re gonna say that AA is a 12-step program. But Berring’s program had an additional step, which is to send him money.

They had a “counseling” number on the screen and when I called, they insisted that I give them my credit card number, the card’s expiration date and the three-digit security code on the back of the card. I told the girl who answered the phone that she could go fork herself and went off on her for ten minutes before I realized she was a bot. Somehow, through our telephone connection, she managed to get the info she wanted and now I’m in for $100 a week. Yikes! I don’t know what I’m going to tell Sally. Hold on, I hear her footsteps down the hall. I’ll get back to you.

Duke

July 25, 2025

11:00am

Hi again,

Sally got our American Express bill and I had to confess. As punishment, she took away my telephone privileges. Which is shortsighted, really: the Reverend Over Berring is on the internet too. Maybe next time she’ll break my fingers so that I can’t punch the computer keys. I’ll talk at you later, my friend.

Duke

August 15 2025

1:00pm

Dear Maysam,

I’m worried about Sally. She hasn’t been nearly as affectionate as she was before; I think she’s taken another lover! It’s not like I can follow after her, since she’s still got me chained to this blasted bed. So what I did was, I hired a PI to chase her down. I got the first report in my inbox today. The detective wrote that Sally has been spending a lot of time at Mar-a-Lago, a garish resort in W. Palm Beach, a community about 20 miles East of The Village. This comes as a great surprise. What could be up? Maybe Sally has taken up golf. I’ll contact you when I hear more.

Duke

Feb. 11, 2026

11:15am

Greetings, Maysam,

Sorry I’ve been out of touch for so long, my friend, but there has been a lot going on. Basically, I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news first: Sally was in fact having an affair. The good news: it wasn’t with a man. No, wait, let me back up. I didn’t mean that. I meant that it wasn’t with a human being. That doesn’t sound much better, does it? Let me start over: Sally was having AI sex.

I asked Sally how I could possibly compete with an AI lover and she said I virtually couldn’t. Ha-ha. Sally’s a pippen. Well, it sounded funnier when she said it. So now Sally’s heart is devoted to another. And while I’m not getting the physical workout I once did, I keep eating the huge meals I had consumed before. To make a bad situation worse, my paramour, Sadie, found a boy her own age. Did I mention she was 19? As a result, I’ve ballooned from my svelte 166 lbs. to more than 600.

Sally no longer has to chain me to our bed, because I can’t fit through the bedroom door. Sally didn’t seem to mind my enlarged girth, however, since she’d moved into the guest room, which she shares with Alexa. I decided to take matters into my own hands and contracted for a liposuction procedure. I contacted a company off the internet that had a good reputation. But when they arrived, it was this old guy in a Spiderman costume, wheeling in a Craftsman 16-gallon Shop Vac, and I threw them out.

I don’t know what to do, Maysam. I hardly see my wife, except when she delivers my meals. She’s always been a remarkable cook, and she seems to have found the most succulent, delicious, fattening meals out there. I keep gaining weight. I think my wife’s trying to kill me, Maysam.

Duke

March 2, 2026

(The clock on my PC is broken)

Dear Maysam,

I feel rather odd writing this message, Maysam. First of all, I want to genuinely thank you for letting me capitalize on your generous nature and use you as a sounding board. I can’t tell you what it’s meant for me to have someone I could communicate with. Although we’ve never met in person and live thousands of miles apart, I feel I know you like a brother. You are my best friend, Maysam.

I was rather disquieting to hear from your sister that you had in fact passed away some nine months ago, succumbing to the violence rained down by American bombers. I am profoundly sorry you are deceased, Maysam. I hope this will not stand in the way of our future communications. Talk to you soon.

As always,

Duke

I’m walking in the sand

Feeling the warmth and cold beneath my feet.

Sunlight beams down all over me.

I see piece of driftwood hollowed out by water and insects

I feel waves over my feet as I walk onto the beach.

I think for thousands of years the people walked onto the sand with me

Maybe we are of the same mind.

For one moment we touch each other while walking on the sand.

Night, winter

Night, winter

Cold stubble burns;

A gash of wound 

Is bitterness 

And a stealthy weather,

Which unfurls marks of hope,

As winter is just another season.

Ananya S Guha

Shillong

India

The Belfry of St. Vincent Ferrer

My heart bursts into a flock of ricebirds

Each time I hear its tolling; for years

I live on the shade of its imposing

Memory – all the running & screaming

& sliding races down the hillsides, firemaking

& pissing contests, toy parades, death by voodoo

Gossip-broker Miss B. & and her rare orchids

Tonio’s mysterious death at the mangrove –

All point me to that church on top of the hill

Overlooking our town wharf that eats

And spits natives & transients alike

Where all the coming and going each

Has its own distinct ring – tintinnabulations

Of open-ended declarations, promises, affairs –

Gangrenous goodbyes on the breast of tears smothered

Or the corrosive taste of briny eyes with every furtive hello.

But time has done nothing to exempt the heart from

The onslaught of raging waves crushing into

Empty shores –like the old bell ringing

Through my ears at Angelus –

Dusk, our favorite time of day

Before you left without that anticipated

“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” backward glance.

And bells do not have a memory of tunes 

For awkward silence, silence, silence.

:

Nominated for “Best of the Net 2025” for his poetry, Emeniano Acain Somoza, Jr. considers himself the official spiritual advisor of his roommates, Gordot and Dwight – the first a goldfish, the other a Turkish Van cat. His works have been published in The Poetry Magazine, Moria Poetry Journal, Fogged Clarity, Everyday Poem, Loch Raven Review, The Buddhist Poetry Review, The Philippine Graphic, The Philippines Free Press, Troubadour 21, Full of Crow, Indigo Rising, Asia Writes, Triggerfish Critical Review, Troubadors 21, Gloom Cupboard, TAYO, Haggard & Halloo, and elsewhere. His first book, A Fistful of Moonbeams, was published by Kilmog Press in April 2010. His second, Kleenex Theory, published by Createspace-Amazon, came out in 2015. He is busy anthologizing emptiness and boredom at the moment.

Talented Student/ Biology and Chemistry / International Certificate Holder 

Date birth: October 2 

Place of birth: Uzbekistan 

Education: Student at Shakhrisabz School number 38 

Fields of activity: Advanced Biology learning, international projects, personal growth 

Early Achievements and Educational path 

Durdona Shafqatullayeva is a high-achieving and intellectually capable student with strong academic performance an active volunteer and a participant in international conferences. 

The Human Skeletal System: General Overview of Bones Student of 38-School 

Shafqatullayeva Durdona 

Abstract. 

The human skeletal system provides the fundamental structural framework of the body and plays a vital role in movement, protection of internal organs, mineral homeostasis, and hematopoiesis. Bone is a dynamic, living tissue that continuously adapts to mechanical, hormonal, and metabolic influences. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the human skeletal system, emphasizing bone classification, structure, biological functions, growth, remodeling processes, and clinical relevance. Understanding skeletal biology is essential for medical and health sciences, as skeletal disorders significantly impact human mobility and overall quality of life. 

Keywords 

Human skeleton, bones, skeletal system, bone structure, bone remodeling 

Introduction 

The skeletal system is a cornerstone of human anatomy and physiology. It not only defines the shape of the body but also enables movement and protects vital organs. Unlike the common perception of bones as rigid and inert, skeletal tissue is metabolically active and responsive to both internal and external factors. Throughout life, bones undergo constant remodeling to maintain strength and mineral balance. A detailed understanding of the skeletal system is therefore fundamental for medical education, clinical practice, and preventive healthcare. 

Organization of the Human Skeletal System 

In adults, the human skeleton consists of 206 bones, systematically arranged into two major divisions: 

Axial skeleton (80 bones), comprising the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum, which primarily protect the central nervous system and thoracic organs. 

Appendicular skeleton (126bones), including the upper and lower limbs and their girdles, which facilitates locomotion and interaction with the environment. 

This structural organization reflects a balance between protection, support, and mobility. 

Classification of Bones 

Bones are classified according to their shape and functional characteristics: 

Long bones, such as the femur and humerus, act as levers for movement and support body weight. 

Short bones, including carpals and tarsals, provide stability with limited motion.

Flat bones, such as the cranial bones and sternum, protect internal organs and offer broad surfaces for muscle attachment. 

Irregular bones, including vertebrae, serve specialized structural and protective roles. 

Sesamoid bones, exemplified by the patella, improve mechanical efficiency by reducing friction at joints. 

This classification demonstrates how bone morphology is closely linked to biomechanical function. 

Bone Structure and Composition 

Bone tissue consists of an organic matrix and an inorganic mineral component. The organic portion, primarily collagen fibers, provides flexibility and tensile strength, while the inorganic component, mainly calcium phosphate in the form of hydroxyapatite, confers rigidity and resistance to compression. 

Structurally, bones contain: 

Compact (cortical) bone, forming the dense outer layer 

Spongy (trabecular) bone, which is lighter and distributes mechanical stress efficiently 

Within certain bones, bone marrow is present and plays a critical role in blood cell formation.

Physiological Functions of Bones 

The skeletal system performs several essential physiological functions: 

Structural support and posture maintenance 

Protection of vital organs, including the brain, heart, and lungs 

Facilitation of movement through muscle attachment 

Regulation of mineral storage, particularly calcium and phosphorus 

Hematopoiesis within red bone marrow 

These functions highlight the skeletal system’s importance in maintaining systemic homeostasis. 

Bone Growth and Remodeling 

Bone development and maintenance depend on a tightly regulated remodeling process involving osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes. During childhood and adolescence, bone formation exceeds resorption, leading to growth and increased bone mass. In adulthood, remodeling preserves skeletal integrity and adapts bone architecture to mechanical stress.

Nutritional factors, physical activity, hormones, and aging significantly influence this process. 

Clinical and Medical Relevance 

Skeletal disorders such as osteoporosis, fractures, scoliosis, and degenerative joint diseases pose major public health challenges worldwide. Understanding bone biology is essential for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. Advances in imaging techniques and orthopedic medicine have improved outcomes yet maintaining skeletal health through proper nutrition and physical activity remains a cornerstone of prevention. 

Conclusion 

The human skeletal system is a dynamic and multifunctional framework essential for survival and movement. Bones are living tissues that continuously adapt to physiological demands, underscoring their role beyond mechanical support. A comprehensive understanding of skeletal structure and function is fundamental for medical research, clinical practice, and the promotion of lifelong musculoskeletal health. 

References 

Tortora, G.J., & Derrickson, B.H. (2021). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (16thed.). Wiley.

Standring, S. (2021). Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42nd ed.) Elsevier. 

Ross, M.H., &Pawlina, W. (2020). Histology: A Text and Atlas (8thed.). Wolters Kluwer. 

Clarke, B. (2008). Normal bone anatomy and physiology. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 3(Suppl3), S131– S139. 

Compston, J.E., McClung, M.R., & Leslie, W.D. (2019). Osteoporosis. The Lancet, 393 (10169), 364– 376. Raggatt, L.J., &Partridge, N.C. (2010). Cellular and molecular mechanisms of bone remodeling. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 285 (33), 25103– 25108.

PEDAGOGICAL VIEWS OF ABDULLA AVLONI
Daminova Sevinch Tuychi qizi
3rd-year Student, Primary Education Program

National Pedagogical University of Uzbekistan
Abstract

This article analyzes the life and pedagogical views of Abdulla Avloni, an Uzbek enlightener, poet, playwright, and educator. It examines Avloni’s role in the development of public education in Uzbekistan, the essence and significance of his work “Turkiy Guliston or Morality,” as well as his ideas on enlightenment and national awakening. The article scientifically explores the thinker’s interpretation
of education and upbringing as the most important factors in human life, the theoretical and practical aspects of his pedagogical activity, and his contribution to the development of the modern Uzbek school system. In addition, the relevance of Abdulla Avloni’s views on knowledge, morality, upbringing, and patriotism for today’s education system is highlighted.

Keywords: Abdulla Avloni, pedagogy, upbringing, enlightenment, morality, Jadid school, education, national awakening.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the national awakening and enlightenment movement gained wide momentum in Turkestan. During this period, among the intellectuals who called the people toward knowledge, culture, and progress, Abdulla Avloni occupied a special place. As a poet, playwright, publicist, public figure, and most importantly, a devoted educator of the people, he left an incomparable mark on the history of Uzbek pedagogy. Abdulla Avloni dedicated his entire life to enlightening the nation and educating the younger generation in the spirit of knowledge and morality.

Throughout his career, Avloni worked as a teacher, established new-method schools, created textbooks, and encouraged the public toward enlightenment through the press. His pedagogical views were innovative for his time and continue to play a significant role in shaping the modern education system today. The thinker’s work “Turkiy Guliston or Morality” is considered a masterpiece of Uzbek folk pedagogy. In this work, he scientifically presents his views on
morality, upbringing, knowledge, and human development. Avloni’s ideas on education and upbringing have retained their relevance not only in his own time but also in the present day. Therefore, studying his pedagogical heritage and applying it to modern educational practice holds great scientific and practical significance.

Abdulla Avloni (1878–1934) is one of the most prominent enlightenment figures, educators, and writers to emerge during the period of national awakening of the Uzbek people. He was born on July 12, 1878, in the Mergancha neighborhood of Tashkent, into a family of craftsmen. Showing an interest in learning from an early
age, Avloni first studied at a traditional school and later at a madrasa. Entering the world of literature and enlightenment in his youth, this talented young man began writing poetry at the age of fifteen. In his early works, he called on the people to escape ignorance, study in new-method schools, and acquire knowledge and professions.

Avloni’s enlightenment activity was primarily manifested in the field of
journalism. In 1907, he published the newspapers “Shuhrat” and “Osiyo”, serving as their editor and promoting ideas of enlightenment, unity, and progress. Although the tsarist government soon shut down these publications, Avloni did not cease his activities. He continued his work in the newspapers “Sadoyi Turkiston”, “Turon”, and the journal “Kasabachilik Harakati”, making an invaluable contribution to the formation of Uzbek journalism. He regarded the press as a force that awakens the people, calling it “a lamp that illuminates the darkness of ignorance.”

Abdulla Avloni’s pedagogical activity formed the essence of his entire life. He viewed teaching not merely as a profession but as a sacred duty in service to the nation. In his lessons, he paid special attention to nurturing students’ independent thinking, patriotism, and moral purity. He considered expressive reading, emotional engagement with texts, and sincere communication between teacher and
student as essential components of the educational process.

In “Turkiy Guliston or Morality,” Avloni deeply analyzes the issue of human perfection. According to him, upbringing is the fundamental foundation of human life. He famously wrote: “For us, upbringing is a matter of either life or death, salvation or destruction, happiness or catastrophe.” Through these words, Avloni interprets upbringing not only as a personal matter but as a factor determining the fate of the nation.

In his works, he divides upbringing into four main directions:
The timing of upbringing – education must begin from early childhood;
Physical upbringing – a healthy mind is formed through a healthy body;
Intellectual upbringing – developing intelligence, striving for knowledge, and cultivating thinking;

Moral upbringing – instilling virtues such as honesty,
conscience, patience, and compassion.
Avloni’s pedagogical views were considered innovative approaches in his time. He regarded education and upbringing as inseparable concepts “like body and soul,” emphasizing that teaching and moral education complement one another.

The thinker viewed morality as the highest human virtue. In “Turkiy Guliston or Morality,” he divided human behavior into two categories: good morals and bad morals. Good morals include patriotism, cleanliness, courage, conscience, patience, and kindness, while bad morals include ignorance, anger, laziness, lying, and greed. Avloni supported these ideas with verses from the Qur’an, hadiths, and
the wisdom of thinkers such as Socrates, Aristotle, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Sa‘di, and Bedil.

As an educator, Avloni sought to cultivate love for the mother tongue, respect for knowledge, diligence, and loyalty to the homeland among the younger generation. His poems and fables written for children possess strong educational value, fostering love for books, labor, and nature. In his poems about the Motherland, the poet depicts the homeland as a beautiful, generous, and prosperous land, instilling
a sense of pride and honor in children.

Avloni’s work “A Brief History of the Prophets and the History of Islam” was written in a religious-enlightenment direction, aiming to acquaint the younger generation with Islamic history and enrich their spiritual world. This work was widely used as a textbook for primary schools in its time. The thinker was not only a writer but also an active practical educator. During the 1920s and 1930s, Abdulla Avloni taught at the Teachers’ Seminary in Tashkent, the Faculty of Pedagogy, and the Central Asian University, where he trained many
young teachers. During these years, he compiled the textbook “Literature Chrestomathy,” thereby laying the foundation for the methodology of teaching Uzbek literature in schools.

Throughout his life, Avloni devoted himself wholeheartedly to the enlightenment of the nation. In recognition of his services, he was awarded the honorary title “Hero of Labor” in 1927 and “Shock Worker of Public Education of Uzbekistan” in 1930. His name is still remembered with great respect in the history of the Uzbek education system. Today, schools, streets, scientific centers, and a museum
at the Institute for Advanced Training of Teachers in Tashkent bear the name of Abdulla Avloni, honoring his invaluable contribution to education and enlightenment.

Abdulla Avloni regarded education as a powerful force leading the people toward freedom, culture, and progress. He emphasized the irreplaceable role of the teacher’s personality in educating the younger generation as well-rounded individuals. Therefore, Avloni can be regarded not only as a great figure of his own time, but also as one of the founders of the entire history of Uzbek pedagogy.

In conclusion, Abdulla Avloni is a great educator, poet, and enlightener who left an indelible mark on the spiritual and educational life of the Uzbek people. His views remain highly relevant not only for his own era, but also for the modern education system today. In his pedagogical activity, Avloni placed upbringing at the center of
human life, interpreting it as the most important factor in the nation’s prosperity and the development of society.

His work “Turkiy Guliston or Morality” is a masterpiece of Uzbek pedagogical thought. It addresses the issues of educating a well-rounded generation based on values such as moral integrity, aspiration for knowledge, patriotism, compassion, and humaneness. For Avloni, education and upbringing were inseparable concepts;
he highly valued the teacher as the most important figure shaping the future of the nation.

Even today, the ideas put forward by Avloni—humanism, moral education, loyalty to national values, love of knowledge, and the cultivation of independent thinking—are fully aligned with the main directions of modern education.

Therefore, the legacy of Abdulla Avloni stands as the foundation of Uzbek pedagogy and an inexhaustible spiritual source in the upbringing of the younger generation.

References
Zunnunov, A. (2004). History of Pedagogy. Tashkent.
Dolimov, U. Abdulla Avloni as the Founder of Uzbek Pedagogy of the National Awakening Period.
Ziyouz. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.ziyouz.com

Daminova Sevinch Tuychi qizi
Daminova Sevinch Tuychi qizi was born in 2006 in Shahrisabz district, Kashkadarya region, Uzbekistan. She graduated successfully from Secondary School No. 72 in Shahrisabz district, Kashkadarya region. Since 2023, she has been a student of the present-day National Pedagogical University of Uzbekistan.

During her academic journey, she has distinguished herself through her high level of activity, strong interest in science, and initiative. She has carried out volunteer activities at the Pinnacle Science Republican Scientific Center, contributing to the promotion of scientific research among young people.

Sevinch Daminova is the author of scientific articles published in prestigious journals of countries such as the United States, Singapore, and Russia, which reflects her recognition at the international level as a young researcher. She is the holder of more than 50 diplomas and certificates and has actively participated in
numerous national and international competitions.

In 2025, she became the recipient of the “Future Star” Statuette, organized on the scale of the Commonwealth of Independent States. She has also been awarded the “Advanced Generation” badge and the “Devoted to High Science” badge. In the “Mosaic of Nations” competition organized by the Jadids International Scientific
Research Association, she won first place and was awarded the “Friendship” badge.

She is the author of a number of poems and international scientific articles, successfully combining creativity and scientific research. She is a determined and ambitious young scholar who aims to contribute to the development and prosperity of her country in the future.

A RIGHTEOUS DAUGHTER’S PRAYER

A thousand thanks to God, my endless prayer

For giving me a mother kind and rare

My crown in Heaven, Eden’s brightest part

My loveliest moments live within your heart, Mom

My faith, my pride, my honor standing tall

My greatest , mountain – you above them all 

When I take flight, you are my wings to soar

My finest song, my strength forevermore, Dad

Eshmatova Charos is one of the most inquisitive students, deeply studying linguistic theory, and a holder of international certificates. She was born on August 18, 2007 in Uzbekistan. She is studying at Denau Institute of Entrepreneurship and Pedagogy Fields of activity: in depth of study the Uzbek language, gaining detailed knowledge of Turkish languages, and Early Achievements and Educational Path. She has obtained a national certificate in Uzbek language and literature (B level) and holds several international certificates. She graduated from secondary school with excellent grades and achieved notable positions in several academic subject Olympics.