1 Page Short Stories

Just a Handful

கற்றது கைமண் அளவு, கல்லாதது உலகளவு... 

(Katradhu Kai Mann Alavu, Kallathadhu Ulagalavu)

Known is a drop, unknown is an ocean...   What you have learned is a mere handful;  What you haven't learned is the size of the world....

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Story 

"Do you know the Guru's name of Shivaji Maharaj?" asked Charu.

"Teacher" one student got up .   "I don't know the Guru's name.   But do you know the Surname of Shivaji Maharaj"?

Charu teacher did not know the Surname.   Her immediate reaction was anger.    Anger of being asked a question which she doesn't know...   Anger of being questioned by a child... a student, who is 3 decades younger than her. Anger of being cross questioned....   After all, she is a Teacher and she's here to teach; not taught.

She would have punished the child with a cane or asked him to get out of the class, if it was one of those good old days.   Now the education system guides that teachers should not punish the students.   She chose to ignore his question and moved on with her lesson.

The child asked again.    "Listen.   If you don't know the answer to my question, don't prompt me to answer your question" – she insulted the child and shut him authoritatively.

Charu came out of the class angrily at the end of the period.   Kids these days don't have any respect for the teachers.   They are exposed to too much TV.    They ask too many questions.   Too inquisitive.   If they don't know the answer, they will counter-attack you with another question that you don't know the answer...   this is downright insulting.     I have to complain to the Principal about this.    Such behavior cannot be tolerated by teachers anymore... Iam sure other teachers also must be going through similar dilemma sometime or other.   They will back me up...     She walked in the corridor towards the Principal's room.

As she passed by another class, she heard the same question being asked by another student. Charu stopped abruptly to see how the teacher counters the verbal attack on her.

"Oh, I am sorry, I don't know the Surname of Shivaji, Sahana.   If you know, can you share it with all of us?" asked the teacher enthusiastically.

"Sure, Teacher.   Shivaji Maharaj's surname is Bhonsle" replied Sahana proudly.

"Wow... Amazing.   We all learnt something new, didn't we?   Lets clap for Sarala" – replied the teacher energetically.   The whole class clapped and cheered her.

So, what did we learn from this, children?    Your English teacher must have taught you some proverbs right?   Can you tell me any proverb related to this incident?

That whatever we know, is only a handful... replied another child.

"That's right.   We all learn something new every single day of our life.   From the time we are born, to the time we die, we keep on learning.    I am teaching you things that I have observed and learnt ... But, there's a possibility that you know something that I don't... isn't it?     We are all here to share what we know and learn from each other.   So, Thank you for teaching me something new today, Sarala.      I really appreciate it"... said the teacher.

There was happiness and radiance on every child's face, not just Sarala's.   The children felt accepted and appreciated for their participation and inquisitiveness.   They have also learnt something new at the same time.   Who would have thought that along with Shivaji Maharaj's Guruji name, they will also get to learn Shivaji's Surname too!!

"So..." the teacher continued, "back to our History lesson, Children... Does anybody here know the Guruji's name of Shivaji Maharaj?"

The children straightened up with interest, enthusiasm and attentiveness to the class.   They had learnt to relate English lesson with History lesson too.   They were able to relate their learnings with real life too.     The grasping power and the learning curve has just been sharpened and increased by the teacher.

Charu hung her head down in shame, realising her own failure ... Her own class children had lost the opportunity of learning something new today, because of her atttude.... And she had snubbed the interest of not just the student who raised the question, but also the entire class..

In the process of teaching others, she had herself forgotten the essence to learn.... BUT... she did learn a new lesson today, right? ;)

Does the last line remind you of another proverb you know?    Post it in the comments section.

[Author's Note :  This story was inspired by a few comments that I exchanged between @fantasyaurora and @KrishnaPriyaa29 a few days back, and my personal experience with students that I take Value Education classes with...  The system doesn't seem to allow two people to be dedicated - so I chose @fantasyaurora name to be dedicated - since she was the one who had initiated the whole conversation.  Thank you @fantasyaurora]