… He taught me a lesson for life!!!
We
human beings are strange beings! Sometimes we want to forget things but they
still keep clinging to our memories and sometimes we want to remember and
cherish some things but they fade away only to leave us perplexed and confused.
It was when I was in third
standard in a school of my village. Those days only few schools used to be
there and there used to be ‘real teaching’ there. The head master (principal)
was very strict and off course he loved discipline in the school.
Once, my classmate and I planned
to ‘steal’ some old news papers that were put in the store room. Actually we
wanted to cover our books and that was the best option available for us. We promptly
executed the plan. Somehow the headmaster came to know. He was known for his thrashing
of the students who deserved the punishment. I had never had a chance to be punished;
I was rather good in studies and over all a good boy. When he came to know of
this act, he called the whole class together in the games period.
All were quiet and perhaps knew
what was going to happen. He called the first boy and gave him thorough
beating. The boy cried, begged pity but he was not spared till the master was
satisfied. Those days teachers were given freedom not only to teach the
subjects but also to form the character of the child. Perhaps that’s why the
master was obliged to correct us.
Meanwhile I was already shivering
and waiting for my chance… And finally he called me. I went to him slowly and
softly, my heart beat already reaching to its height. But to everyone’s
surprise he didn’t beat me… he called me close… kept his arm on my shoulder
gently and said, “You are a good boy, the whole school knows it. Then what made
this good boy to do such a bad thing. Stealing is bad, isn’t it?” I nodded my
head in approval. He continued, “I know you will not repeat it.” I started
crying, first slowly, then loudly. He said, “Now go home and get that paper
back.” I ran without thinking further for another moment, and brought the
paper. That was a great lesson not only for me but for the whole class. I will
remember this incidence till the day I go to the grave.
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