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 !!
Your writing has whimsical quality to it. I Can't help but smile when I read them.
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