My goal is to get peace and my goal is to see education of every child.

We must believe in the power and strength of our words. Our words can change the world.

We like to put sacred texts in flowing waters, so I rolled it up, tied it to a piece of wood, placed a dandelion on top, and floated it in the stream which flows into the Swat River. Surely God would find it there.

We felt like the Taliban saw us as little dolls to control, telling us what to do and how to dress. I thought if God wanted us to be like that He wouldn't have made us all different.

I thought that words and books and pens were more powerful than guns.

I would tell him that shoot me but first listen to me. And I would tell him that education is my right and education is the right of your daughter and son a well. And I'm speaking up for them. I'm speaking up for peace.

I tell my story, not because it is unique, but because it is not. It is the story of many girls.