I think of it often and imagine the scene clearly. Even if they come to kill me, I will tell them what they are trying to do is wrong, that education is our basic right.

My father was convinced the Taliban would hunt him down and kill him, but he again refused security from the police. 'If you go around with a lot of security the Taliban will use Kalashnikovs or suicide bombers and more people will be killed,' he said. 'At least I'll be killed alone.'

You should believe in your talent and potential. Never lose hope.

Peace in every home, every street, every village, every country - this is my dream. Education for every boy and every girl in the world. To sit down on a chair and read my books with all my friends at school is my right. To see each and every human being with a smile of happiness is my wish.

Why is it, that giving guns is so easy, but giving books is so hard?

We are human beings, and this is the part of our human nature, that we don't learn the importance of anything until it's snatched from our hands.

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