Go to Contents << C l i c k h e r e
 Abhijit Jana Medipur, Contents | Kakoli Madam teaches mathematics in the convent section of Gyanadip Vidyapith. For the past two days, she has been teaching simplification to Class Three students. To help them remember, she had written the full forms of each letter in the BODMAS rule on the board and was testing the students’ attention. Teachers have to give their hundred percent effort. Everyone is monitored by CCTV cameras. Yet, the complaint box is always filled with parents’ grievances. “Students, attention please,” Madam said as she explained the lesson, glancing between the board and the desks. Her eyes stopped at the fourth bench. Tutan’s large eyes seemed to be staring somewhere far beyond the classroom walls. “Tutan, stand up,” she said sharply. When he did not respond, she raised her voice, “Stand up!” Ahnik nudged him. Tutan seemed to return from a distant world. “Madam, were you saying something to me?” “Yes, I was. Tell me, what is the full form of BODMAS?” Tutan stood silently. “Alright, tell me what the ‘B’ stands for. What happened? Can’t answer? Of course not. How could you? You’re a little scientist. You were probably looking at the night sky from the classroom in broad daylight, weren’t you?” Ahnik replied, “B stands for—” “Madam, B stands for Bracket.” “Thank you, Ahnik. Sit down.” The boys laughed. “Madam, it’s written on the board, and he still couldn’t answer!” The whole class burst into laughter. After class, Kakoli Madam said, “You’re coming with me.” “Where, Madam?” “I’m taking you to see a circus. The Head Madam will show you a circus.” Poor Tutan stood silently. When class ended, she took his hand and led him away. The Head Madam was in her office. Kakoli Madam explained Tutan’s unusual lack of attention in detail. “Madam, we need to call his parents. There’s no improvement in him. He’s completely absent-minded in class. If his results are poor, we’ll be held responsible. When you were on sick leave, he skipped tiffin break and took Nilam to the third floor after opening a locked door.” “What? That’s serious! If something had happened, I would have been responsible. Why wasn’t I informed? How did they open the door? Why hadn’t the sweeper locked it?” The Headmistress was shocked. “Madam, you may go. I’ll speak to him.” She held Tutan’s hand and seated him on a stool. “You know, Tutan, I didn’t always enjoy studying either. Who likes studying all the time? But while your teacher was explaining, what were you thinking about? When I was your age, I used to imagine all sorts of things. Tell me, what were you thinking today?” “Madam, I have a bicycle. If I could fill its wheels with helium gas, I could fly wherever I wanted. I often fly in my dreams.” “Really? How do you know about helium gas?” “My sister is in Class Ten. Her physics teacher comes to teach her. I don’t have any private tutors. My sister has five tutors. I only have one teacher. So I listen when her teachers teach.” “That’s wonderful. You have a great imagination. What else do you think about?” “Madam, I asked my father to buy me some tools. I want to build science models.” “What kind of models?” “Things like drones, rockets, and airplanes.” “That’s very good.” “But Father says I’m too young and shouldn’t think about such things yet. Madam, no one wants to listen to what I say.” “I’ll listen to you. Will you listen to me?” “Yes, Madam.” “If you want to build science models, you must learn mathematics and science step by step. Science is organized knowledge. You must understand it properly and then apply it. Let me tell you something. This year there will be a model competition for Classes Three and Four. You can make a model from your hands-on science book. But you must make it yourself. Then you should prepare a neat presentation on cardboard. The student who explains their model best to the judges will win a prize. If you learn and apply science in this way, you too can become a scientist when you grow up.” “But before that, you must listen attentively in class and do your homework regularly. You even gave chocolates to your teachers on your birthday. That means you love your teachers. If you don’t listen to them, they’ll feel hurt. And if you don’t study well, your parents will be upset too. If your results are poor, they may complain about your teachers. Would that be fair? Now tell me, why did you take Nilam to the rooftop that day? You must have been looking for something.” “Madam, we live in a one-story house. The sky seems very far away. Our geography teacher told us to observe the sky and write about it. I thought that if I went up to the third floor, I could see the sky more closely. Nilam doesn’t even have a house with a rooftop. She has never seen the sky from a rooftop. Nilam is my best friend. Friends should share new things with each other. That’s what teachers tell us.” The Head Madam suppressed a smile. After thinking for a moment, Tutan said, “Madam, from now on I’ll pay attention in class.” One day, Tutan returned home limping. His parents questioned him and learned what had happened. After school, Tutan usually came home on the second trip of the school vehicle. A Class Four student named Mrinmoy had been testing a karate move on Tutan’s leg. The poor boy hurt his leg and even fell while getting down from the vehicle. The doctor said that the muscles in his leg had been badly injured. He could hardly walk properly for four days. Tutan’s father informed the Head Madam by phone. She replied, “They’re both children. We are sorry. Let Tutan recover first. When he returns to school, we’ll talk to them.” A few days later, Tutan’s father went to pick him up. Most of the children had already left. Near the gate, he saw Tutan walking hand in hand with Mrinmoy. “Dad, please don’t scold Mrinmoy Dada. He teaches me so many games. I’ve learned karate from him. Karate is important for self-defense. Please don’t take him to the Head Madam. Promise me. He already said sorry.” Mrinmoy was standing awkwardly behind a flowering shrub. Tutan called out, “Come here, Mrinmoy Dada. Dad won’t scold you.” Mrinmoy came forward with his head lowered. “Sorry, Uncle. It was my mistake.” Tutan’s father reached into his pocket and brought out two Cadbury chocolates. He gave one to each boy. Hand in hand, they ran off to play again. When the Head Madam heard about this, she thanked Tutan’s father. She called both boys to her office and affectionately praised them. At the school’s annual function and prize-giving ceremony, guests distributed awards to the prize winners of every class. The recipients glowed with happiness. Tutan had never won a prize before, and his parents often felt sad about that. The Head Madam took the microphone and announced: “This year, we are introducing a special award. It is called the Prize for Innovative Thought, Good Manners, and Friendship. The recipient of this award is Tutan Jana from Class Three.” The auditorium erupted with applause. From the stage, Tutan spotted his parents in the audience. They were clapping along with everyone else, tears of joy shining in their eyes.
|
Please feel free to share any questions, suggestions, or writings without hesitation. | |
KISHOR BARTA | E-mail : kishorbarta.eng@gmail.com |