Reminisences-4       A   CIVILITY  EVOKES  PUNISHMENT  !

It was in 1938,I had left the village and my parents and moved to Mysore to stay with my Grand-Parents ,to pursue my studies . I was proud to join Marimallappa’s Middle School, an imposing stone building with a large compound with trees and a play-ground.It was started in 1890 

    It was middle of term ., My Grandfather took me to the head-master,  seeking my admission to class- 1 Kannada medium, equivalent to present-day 5th standard. Though admissions had closed, my grandpa persuaded the Headmaster, and I was admitted. Grandpa then took me to the class-room and introduced me  to the class-teacher. He was telling in kannada “This ‘Seena’ is new to the city life but he is good at studies .He is a ’saadhu’ boy.( meaning, a docile boy.) …  I was a bit embarrassed to see a few boys smiling at that expression! The teacher asked me to sit in the first row so that he may help me to catch up with ‘portions ‘. That evening, when we were rushing out of the class, Jaggu, the bully of the class in the last row, came to me and tapping on my back, told loudly,’Seena is  sadhu,  I have 5 cows at home , all sadhu like him ‘ and all the boys laughed. My complexion did not show how much I blushed!

Soon I got used to the teasing, and gained friendship of a few intelligent boys. The teachers were good and considerate. I was enjoying the classes. But at the back of my mind, my being considered ‘meek’ bothered me.

We had regular teachers for main subjects like English Kannada History Geography Maths.

But, our PT instructor and Drawing teacher were not of ‘Teachers’ cadre. They  could not speak or write English,and as such, were looked down by regular teachers. The boys also were less respectful to them.

Our Drawing teacher was a tall man , always in his  dhoti and  coat and ,be it sun or rain , always with his umbrella folded and carried on his shoulder like a gun carried by a soldier .He was allergic to civilities like  ‘Good Morning ,sir’ ‘Namaskaara sar’. His response to it was to chase the boy with“Do you make fun of me? I will teach you a lesson’ The boys would run away laughing,

      It was a Friday afternoon. I was playing in the grounds with my friend. Soon we saw our Drawing Teacher passing by. On the spur of moment, I went to him and said”Namaskaara ,Saar’. He moved on ignoring it. This time, I  shouted a bit loudly. ‘Good morning Sir’,  He turned round, casually asked my name and class. I told. Then, suddenly, his mood changed He moved towards me with his umbrella lifted, snarling ‘you make fun of me?, I will take care of you!... I ran away, feeling proud of myself, for my boldness.

Next day was a Saturday,a half day for school. Before my leaving for school, my Grandpa told me ‘ ‘Sheenu, you have class only upto 1 PM. Today is my father’s annual ceremony.  We are to go to my brother’s house for meals by 1.PM. so I give a letter to your headmaster , requesting him to permit you to skip the last period.You come early so that we may go to my brother’s house in time. Do not come late or waste time, but be early.we are fasting and so,I do not like keeping others waiting and hungry for our sake.’

 I was happy that the last period from 12 noon to 1 PM was the dreaded Drawing Class and I would be permitted to skip! I was looking forward to a grand ‘ Tithi  oota’.with sweets!

The classes from 9 to 12 noon were uneventful. As the bell rang, I rushed to Headmaster’s chamber with my grandfather’s ‘leave-letter’.I had to wait for some time for him to return from a class. He read the note, wrote “permitted’ and signed and gave it to me telling ‘Show it to your teacher and then go’.

Ten minutes had passed ,Drawing teacher was already in the class, he was drawing some sketch on the black- board using his yard-stick.. I went to him with the ‘leave-letter’. He turned round and when he saw it was I, in all civility he said, ‘O, it was you who wished me Good Morning?! I am greeting you today, a very good morning’! And the yard-stick landed on me.  I yelled in pain .He said ‘Go back to your seat and stand up on the bench till the class is over. I put forth the leave letter and said,’Sir, HM has permitted me to go home’ He retorted ‘,I tell you go and standup. Where had your sense gone when you pulled my leg?’

I had to keep standing in the hot sun  till the bell rang.  At last, I left school, I wearily dragged my feet to reach home.I was hungry, thirsty and tired  and could hardly stand. I found the house locked and a note stuck telling that key was with our neighbor and I should manage with some bread in the cupboard, and they would be back by3 PM with a tiffin carrier for me.

 I leave it to you to imagine my plight.and the scolding I had from grandpa on hearing all the happenings. He categorically said I would be packed off to my parents if anything like this occurred again.

Net result of all this was, the bully was a little bit considerate, and I did not hear myself being called Saadhu by anybody  !!