He was the most ridiculed teacher in the school. Boys in high school would intentionally come in his way and would place their shoes on his toes and then say sorry sir. His class was never silent. he would be writing how Alkyl Ester would react with Hydrochloric Acid and the students would be busy in their conversations. But he would not utter a word to stop the class from creating disturbance.
His timid appearance was further reinforced by the small old two wheeler he would ride on to reach the school. His daughter would also accompany him on that little scooter, the suspension would be so pressed that the frame would seem to just touch the roads while turning. It seemed that the scooter and the teacher had shared a good camaraderie for long so now even their attitudes have become similar.
One year had passed since Manu had been in this teacher's school. He was now pretty used to the passive teacher, whose presence or absence just meant a free period and making fun of whom is risk free and yet very entertaining. Encouraged further by his friends, Manu decided to test Mr. Gophat once in his own subject. He took a problem from a book having advance JEE level questions, and next day asked the teacher the question.
To this, sir replied, "These are very advanced level problems and I would not be able to solve them. However, I would want you to be able to solve this problem." The students had a good silent chuckle at this reply. Manu, under pressure, also had a laugh, but he was also impressed by the reply. His image for Mr. Gophat had changed. A teacher who does not know much, but still would wish only good for his students. yes, that's what a teacher is supposed to do, he thought. Just a belief on the student was enough.
Next day, Mr. Gophat came and students were more abusive of him. First fifteen minutes were wasted because they would not listen to what was being told from board. Mr. Gophat's already low voice was in all manners subdued by the brownian motion that the voice of students was making.
Suddenly sound of a sharp slap exploded. All students silent. Mr Gophat had slapped a boy very hard. He was tremblig with anger. His posture had become static, but his head would waver with anger. His hands would also not leave the slap gesture, but also not move.
He sat on his chair for some 5 minutes, calmed down, and told "Kids, you have to go ahead. Don't waste your time in making fun of me. it would only make you a clown, only to be laughed at later by everyone. Come to your senses. Life is not always about mockery."
"A teacher with a strength, but would not use it. Why would he not use it to discipline us ?, "thought Manu.
10 years later, Manu went to Mr. Gophat's house. Mr. Gophat had retired, and was there with his wife. He had wrinkles now, but had a pleasing face. His brows had greyed and under his thick grey spects, they just seemed to thicken the frame. He did not remember me, but he was all happy to meet his old student. And seeing me doing good in life, he was relaxed,
I asked him why he would not use his coercion to discipline the class.
"Bachche hain. Inki energy hi inki taakat hai. Darr se usay nahi kamm karna chahta main. Fool khuli hava mein hi khilta hai" (They are kids. Their vast energy is their power. I don't want to suppress it by fear. A flower blossoms only in open air.).
Her daughter was smiling as he recalled a little about that incident. She was in the same class as me. "Dad I did not think you would slap him. But you were very upset over the previous day question that Manu had asked." I was a bit embarrassed, but then a little amused as well, because both of them had a good laugh over the incident. She is my wife now. Her father's strength flows from her every moment.
This was the story of a man who had made me curious for the first time. Like, how can a powerful man not use his power to make things go his way.
I, Manu, am myself a professor of Chemistry and I have never forgotten about the strength to not use strength against my students.
His timid appearance was further reinforced by the small old two wheeler he would ride on to reach the school. His daughter would also accompany him on that little scooter, the suspension would be so pressed that the frame would seem to just touch the roads while turning. It seemed that the scooter and the teacher had shared a good camaraderie for long so now even their attitudes have become similar.
One year had passed since Manu had been in this teacher's school. He was now pretty used to the passive teacher, whose presence or absence just meant a free period and making fun of whom is risk free and yet very entertaining. Encouraged further by his friends, Manu decided to test Mr. Gophat once in his own subject. He took a problem from a book having advance JEE level questions, and next day asked the teacher the question.
To this, sir replied, "These are very advanced level problems and I would not be able to solve them. However, I would want you to be able to solve this problem." The students had a good silent chuckle at this reply. Manu, under pressure, also had a laugh, but he was also impressed by the reply. His image for Mr. Gophat had changed. A teacher who does not know much, but still would wish only good for his students. yes, that's what a teacher is supposed to do, he thought. Just a belief on the student was enough.
Next day, Mr. Gophat came and students were more abusive of him. First fifteen minutes were wasted because they would not listen to what was being told from board. Mr. Gophat's already low voice was in all manners subdued by the brownian motion that the voice of students was making.
Suddenly sound of a sharp slap exploded. All students silent. Mr Gophat had slapped a boy very hard. He was tremblig with anger. His posture had become static, but his head would waver with anger. His hands would also not leave the slap gesture, but also not move.
He sat on his chair for some 5 minutes, calmed down, and told "Kids, you have to go ahead. Don't waste your time in making fun of me. it would only make you a clown, only to be laughed at later by everyone. Come to your senses. Life is not always about mockery."
"A teacher with a strength, but would not use it. Why would he not use it to discipline us ?, "thought Manu.
10 years later, Manu went to Mr. Gophat's house. Mr. Gophat had retired, and was there with his wife. He had wrinkles now, but had a pleasing face. His brows had greyed and under his thick grey spects, they just seemed to thicken the frame. He did not remember me, but he was all happy to meet his old student. And seeing me doing good in life, he was relaxed,
I asked him why he would not use his coercion to discipline the class.
"Bachche hain. Inki energy hi inki taakat hai. Darr se usay nahi kamm karna chahta main. Fool khuli hava mein hi khilta hai" (They are kids. Their vast energy is their power. I don't want to suppress it by fear. A flower blossoms only in open air.).
Her daughter was smiling as he recalled a little about that incident. She was in the same class as me. "Dad I did not think you would slap him. But you were very upset over the previous day question that Manu had asked." I was a bit embarrassed, but then a little amused as well, because both of them had a good laugh over the incident. She is my wife now. Her father's strength flows from her every moment.
This was the story of a man who had made me curious for the first time. Like, how can a powerful man not use his power to make things go his way.
I, Manu, am myself a professor of Chemistry and I have never forgotten about the strength to not use strength against my students.
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