Lessons (Un?)learnt...

Long long time ago, when I was a little girl...

No I am not narrating a story to my grand kids. I am just trying to recall my school days to come up with a post for today. And just in case you don't remember, Teacher's Day .

Never having really known the significance of Teacher's Day (Don't blame me! Back in those days we didn't have Google to quench our thirst for knowledge!); the day was spent dressing up i.e. if you're lucky enough to 'play' a teacher. Hoping that you get assigned to a junior class and not your own and definitely not your seniors. Your classmates and seniors end up 'taking your class' rather than vice-versa, so they are best avoided! Deciding which teacher you should give the rose or card to. I hear roses/cards are passé now, and have been replaced by more elaborate gifts.

Sadly, I don't have a heartwarming and feel-good story to tell. If I think hard enough, the stories come back to me. Stories of school kids being mean, undisciplined, downright nasty and tormenting the teachers. Stories of certain teachers who had no right to be around young kids and should have been locked up. Stories of young turks vying for the attention of a certain madam; of starry-eyed girls giggling in the presence of their favorite sir. Stories of teachers who loved the cane more than the chalk. Stories of teachers who made learning feel like cramming. Stories of teachers who made you laugh and the lessons fun. But you know what I am talking about. Since you're able to read this post, I am assuming you went to school once :-).

It must be a tough job to face a classful of impressionable minds; some of them sullen and determined to be difficult, some eager and willing to learn. To be responsible for grooming future engineers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, bankers, artists etc etc in the making. Whose words and actions could either make you confident or instill self-doubt which would take years to shrug off. I remember a few kind words and some scolding as well. I still carry around a one rupee note from one of my school teachers which says "To Sheba for a good answer". After all the time that has passed, I might not remember the question or the answer that I gave. I might not take out the note everyday to look at it and bask in the glory of those words. But I still cannot get myself to throw away that note, which is surprising since I have discarded greeting cards from best friends, teddies and other cute little toys, notes declaring undying love, silly letters that made me laugh once, birthday gifts, farewell gifts etc etc...