A victory in defeat

 

I was a teacher in a Matriculation school in a small town. As a teacher, I strived hard to impart knowledge to my pupils sincerely and to the best of my ability. I tried to kindle their interest in the subjects taught in different ways. I spent more time on the slow, admonished the laggards and encouraged the bright. My mission was to ensure that the gap between the best and the weak boy was abridged by raising the latter's level. It was a tough job but I never gave up on my objective.

I felt good knowledge of lessons alone is not adequate for students to learn at the school. I tried hard to inculcate in the children that the richness of life is not measured only by the high marks scored, degrees acquired, the wealth owned or the positions held but largely by the moments spent in wiping the tears and touching the hearts of the needy, in helping the aged and disadvantaged, in sharing the knowledge and in making the world a better and safer place to live in.

In one particular class, I had a challenge in the form of Karthick. A well-built boy of about 15 years, gruff in tone but pleasant by disposition and endowed with high stamina, he excelled as much in sports as he failed in his studies. All my special attention on this young boy was unsuccessful as he continued to get poor grades. I used all methods in vain to kindle his interest in studies by cajoling, threatening and even punishing him. I could not accept defeat but knew no way to resolve the matter.

In desperation, I talked to a colleague of mine who was teaching that class earlier and mentioned how Karthik posed a great challenge to me. She laughed and comforted me saying that I was not alone in such a predicament. She added that the boy’s father was an alcoholic and his mother an illiterate woman. There were daily quarrels and beatings at home in the evenings between the parents in the presence of their only boy. The conditions at home were far from salutary and it was a wonder the boy had not turned into a vagabond and wrong ways in that uncongenial atmosphere.

 I sympathised with the boy and doubled my efforts to make him a better student by coaching him freely in the evenings. But no matter how much I struggled, he stood at the bottom of the class.

It was recess time one day. There was a sense of defeat in me. I was cursing myself for my inadequacy in motivating him to succeed and felt that I too along with his parents should share the responsibility if he failed to come up in life. It was then I heard a commotion outside in the veranda by the side of the staircase. When I came out, I saw a crowd of students around someone on the ground.

One boy came running to me and said “Vignesh fell while he was walking on the parapet wall and has broken his leg and arm. He is writhing in pain. “ Even as he was narrating what happened, I saw Karthick rushing towards the crowd and coming out with the boy, who had hurt himself, in his strong arms and walking towards the gate. He had run to hail an auto before he came to lift the boy. That he took the boy to the nearest clinic is not so important for me to relate as the singular point that amongst all the brighter boys who stood curiously watching Vignesh in pain, it was only Karthick who came to his assistance on his own and acted as a leader with compassion. It struck me that he may not be bright in his studies but he excelled himself as a compassionate and helping person in times of need, unlike the others of his age.

There was another instance about Karthick that I came to know very soon. There was a big school function where all the parents and students participated. The dais was a little away from the gate and involved walking two hundred feet. There was a big crowd as was expected. Some of the boys chosen to help the invitees as volunteers in white uniforms with a big coloured ribbon to distinguish them were seen standing at the gate guiding the visitors.

One frail old lady past eighty with a hunch back came in a rickshaw with her grandson. With a walker in hand, she struggled to move even a short distance and was seen pleading with her grandson that they better return home. The boy was reluctant and refused to go back even as the uniformed boys in ribbons were watching them with amusement.

 I learnt Karthick appeared from nowhere asked her to get into the rickshaw and himself pulled it close to the dais. He lifted her bodily and made her sit in a comfortable seat. This was beyond the call of his duty as he was not one of the uniformed boys. What impelled him to act as he did was his compassion.

 From that day onwards, I stopped worrying about the poor grades of Karthick. He may not become even a graduate and may not even be the type of boy that the school would expect of its students to come up with high marks in the final board examination. But he stood tall in comparison to others in his class in compassion and kind ways.

 None of my teaching the prescribed lessons would have given him these God-endowed gifts. No university degree would announce these sterling qualities that Karthik had in immense measure. He might not have scored a centum in mathematics or high marks in physics but he had scored an A plus from my heart. I felt my heart swell with pride and the sense of defeat had vanished. I was determined to make him the class leader from the next day.

Christmas is a time for giving and sharing

I usually write a story about the Christmas spirit on this day. Here is a very old story written more than a decade back repeated   for the benefit of my many new readers and the pleasure of my  regular motivators

The teller in the bank was surprised when he saw a tiny hand proffering a few soiled notes in denominations of one, five and ten. He looked at the figure. A young boy of ten years in much worn and tattered shirt held together by a safety pin was looking at the teller with some anxiety. “Sir, can you please give me 20 five rupee coins instead of that”’ the small voice squeaked.

“Why do you need the five rupee coins. They are in short supply you know” said the teller curious to know the purpose.

“Tomorrow is Christmas. I want to give to the poor who assemble before the church” he said.

“You don’t yourself look well provided for. A new shirt would do good for you” said the teller and continued, ”How did you get this money, by the way?”

“Sir, this money was actually saved by me over the year for getting me a new shirt. But there are many needy even without a shirt. My teacher told me yesterday that Christmas is for giving and sharing,” he answered.

The teller was overcome with emotion at the lofty young mind before him. He wiped his eyes and said “I will add 20 more coins to your 20 as my share. Please distribute to the needy tomorrow at the church and elsewhere.One more thing, do meet me after lunch today here at the bank. I have a small Christmas gift for you. I am impressed with you. What is your name?”

“Thank you, Sir. Santosh is my name. I will surely come after lunch” he replied as he left after collecting 40  glistening new five rupee coins.

In the afternoon the boy was surprised to see the teller telling him, “Though young, you taught me the true message of Christmas. Thank you very much” and handed him a packet containing a new shirt and shorts.

May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love. Christmas is a time of giving and sharing. It is the time of loving and forgiving. Merry Christmas to Everyone!

Rajadurai's compassion

 “Venkatesan, I welcome you to our department. Savitri Madam has gone on maternity leave for six months. You can handle the classes she was taking. I know it is for a short duration. Let us hope something comes up in six months as we are expanding” said Rajadurai, the head of the department for Mathematics

“Thank you, Sir. I pray that I will be able to continue here as a regular teacher. I need the job as I have a large family to support” I replied.

“I know, Venkatesan, you have your mother and four siblings to care for. Six months is a long time. Things can change for the better. Do not worry. God will find a way for you” he spoke in a comforting tone.

“Thanks again, Sir. I need your blessings. I will give my heart and soul to the job” I added

Though the salary for a temporary teacher was paltry, the new income would help me greatly in keeping the hearth at my home warm. Rajadurai, who was nearing 60 took a paternal interest in me and frequently enquired about my work and the support needed. He also complimented me that the feedback he got from the students and some of the parents was flattering and added that he had mentioned about my good work to both the headmaster and the correspondent.

My brothers were still in school with my sister learning typing. My mother fell sick often needing treatment. I was struggling to make both ends meet with my meagre income. One day Rajadurai told me that he was coaching a few boys from another school and found it a burden. He asked me whether I could help him by taking tuition for these boys. I knew inwardly he was doing this to help me being aware of my difficult circumstances but made it appear as if I was doing him a favour. I was touched by his kindness and could do nothing but hold his hands on my chest in gratitude as tears swelled in my eyes. The added income made things easy for me though the sense of guilt that I was depriving him of his income was pricking me.

The six-month tenure was drawing to a close. It was then Rajadurai paid a surprise visit to my house and took a glance on all sides. It was a small portion with a hall, two rooms and a kitchen My sick mom lay curled on a bed in one corner of the hall. She was coughing continuously and I had to take her to a doctor. Poverty was writ large on our faces and the house. The prospect of loss of my job soon and the regular income was staring at me. The school fees of my siblings had to be paid. I was at my wit's end. There was nothing to offer to my benefactor except a glass of water. He sized up the situation in no time. He did not speak much and left in a few minutes after exchanging pleasantries.

Three days later I was called by the headmaster as soon as the school hours started. That was the last day.  I knew I had been called to be informed that my tenure was over and that my services were no longer necessary. I found the school correspondent also seated with him.

“Good morning, Venkatesan. We are sorry your tenure will be over from today. Savitri will be joining us tomorrow. We are very happy at the sincerity and devotion you have shown in your work. Parents keep telling me how pleased their children are with you and your teaching. What is your plan for the future?”

Attempting to restrain the tears, I said “I have no idea. I need this job most but I am aware my term has ended. I dread the forthcoming days.” Choked with emotion I could continue no more. The headmaster stood up and came near me. Patting me on my shoulders he said “Do not worry. You will continue to work with us hopefully regularly. Please attend the school as usual.”

Bewildered at the turn of events I looked at him in utter disbelief. The headmaster smiled at me and said “Go to your benefactor and prostrate before him. Rajadurai Sir has applied for voluntary retirement on personal grounds effective from tomorrow. I asked him for reasons. He did not say anything except that he was comfortable financially with his well employed sons and that he could hang his boots without any inconvenience. He specifically requested me to employ you on a regular basis. I strongly feel that he took this decision impelled by a wish to help you. He used to come to me frequently pleading for one more regular teacher for his department to accommodate you. When I told him last week that the management had turned down the proposal, he submitted his papers two days later. He refused to withdraw despite our persuasion.”

I rushed to his house the same evening only to be told by his son “Dad had left with Mom on a long pilgrimage. He wished that I should convey his felicitations to you on your regular appointment in case I visited the house. I had never seen him happier than when he took his retirement.”

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting."

 

Was it a faint signal?

Sushil had beer almost daily in the evenings after office hours with his friends at the local restaurant. They occupied the same corner table and shared the bill equally. For the last fortnight, It was the same waitress who served them daily. Her large blue eyes, smiling face and swaying hips did something to Sushil that can hardly be explained and he knew he was in love with her. He tried many times to pick some conversation with her but she never spoke one unnecessary word with him though courteous. There was a certain professionalism in her that forbade any overtures to her from him. Sushil was not defeated and his visits continued hoping someday she would relent.

One day as she was bringing the tray with bottles, glasses and ice, she accidentally dropped the napkin. Sushil immediately pounced on it and gave it to her with a flourish. Impressed with his chivalry. she took it from him with thanks, a smile, and what he presumed was a faint wink unseen by others. 

Sushil was astounded by this gesture and announced with great joy and gusto to his friends,” Hey, today’s beer binge will be on me. Drink as much as you wish.” His puzzled buddies were surprised at his generosity and wondered what went wrong with their usually tight-fisted friend.

He could not sleep the whole night and was tossing on his bed thinking about her and her secret wink.  He fantasized about what if she were unmarried and looking for a male friend. He expected that she would respond favourably if he approached her tactfully as he was well employed, good looking and free from any encumbrance. He decided to pursue the matter by visiting the restaurant alone.

The next evening, he left the office early, dressed himself well with a liberal spray of cologne and was at the usual table sharp by 4 pm. The hall was almost empty as it was a bit early. He was eagerly waiting for her to appear. There was no sign of her for nearly 15 minutes when another young lady came to take orders.

 Disappointed, he kept quiet for a while but summoned the courage to ask,” Where is the other lady who usually served this table? I was expecting her here."

“Are you asking about Sushri? She has just come. I will send her presently if you are very particular about her,” she said with a mischievous smile.

"Not like that. Please send her if you do not mind. She has been very professional, well-mannered and served us well when I was with my friends here last evening. Just wanted to thank her."

It took some time before he heard a voice from behind, "Good evening, Sir, I am Sushri. My colleague told me that you wanted me specifically to thank me for serving you yesterday. Yes, I remember your kind gesture yesterday and wish to thank you myself. What would you like to have?" she said as she got ready with the small notebook for his order.

"I wanted to thank you not only for the very good service you always render but also for your sweet acknowledgement when I procured the fallen napkin. I was thinking about that last night and wished to meet you today," Sushil said.

“What sweet acknowledgement you are referring to?” she asked with surprise.

“I saw the faint twinkle yesterday at the corner of your left eye when I gave you the fallen napkin," he said.

"Oh, no, It could be an involuntary twitch of the muscle that happens once or twice a month. What did you take it for, a wink or what? goodness gracious" she asked.

“Yes, I took it for a subtle wink and wished to talk to you,” he replied greatly disappointed.

“Gosh!, I am sorry, I get this involuntary twitch of the eye muscle once or twice a fortnight. Please do not mind. I will come presently with your order,” she left

As he was sitting morose, she came with a tray in her hand and said as she placed it on the table, “Here is what you wished for. I hope it pleases you,’ she said with a smile when Sushil saw the faint wink again for a tad longer in her eyes.

Sushil sat bemused thinking whether it was a twitch or a real wink hoodwinking him saying it was involuntary even as she went inside giggling all the way.

A fitting finale

Three days hence, the greatest and much-awaited final was to be played. It was considered the acme amongst tennis tournaments played across the world. A win in this hallowed place was considered a high-water mark and much longed for by all professional tennis players.

Alfred and Benson, the two top-ranked players have been engaged in the rivalry to establish their individual supremacy over the other. They have held the top two rankings for the last three years continuously. Alfred led the overall head-to-head series at 10-5. Alfred, being senior in age by seven years to Benson, has been dominant all these years with none to come anywhere near him. It was only after the advent of Benson that Alfred met a true match to test his skill to the utmost. He had been hitherto winning in all the tournaments so effortlessly that the final always appeared a tame one-man show. It was no longer so.

These two had contrasting styles. Benson in mid-twenties has raw muscular power with amazing stamina, a bewildering variety of strokes and the agility of a cunning feline on the court. Alfred, with his rich and long experience at the top position, had the answer to every player. Quick-footed, calm and collected and with a courtcraft that never took him by surprise, Alfred had of course the age to contend with.

He wished to end his career with a convincing win in this tournament over his arch-rival. He had been working towards this end ceaselessly. But Benson is no easy pushover and in the last two final encounters, he had won easily over Alfred with his stronger physical endurance capability. Benson had a high regard for Alfred whom he deemed as his role model when he was young. He wished Alfred to make an exit in all glory and honours. But once he entered the court, the professional pride ruled, giving no room for sentiment. Though Benson felt sorry for the ageing Alfred, he tried to make him run across the field and tire himself to clinch the match.

Benson sincerely wanted Alfred to get all the honours in what was his last final. That he felt would be a fitting tribute to his friendly rival and a measure of regard he had for him. He, however, wished it to happen without himself having to lose, an impossible outcome with a tiebreaker.  

As luck would have it, Benson developed a temperature two days before the date of the match and the antibiotic injections did not help in bringing the viral fever down. He was feeling weak but felt inwardly happy that all the efforts of his physicians to make him fit for the final event did not fructify. The media was all agog on Benson’s fitness and speculating on an easy walkover for Alfred bringing him fittingly the championship in his last tournament.

Alfred was not happy at this denouement. He did not wish for a walkover. He wanted to fight and win a manly game over his rival to claim the championship by his prowess and not by default. He sincerely prayed that Benson would recover to give him a chance to snatch an honourable victory on the court in front of the adulating crowd that he was accustomed to. His mood was swinging between hope and despair.

It was on the morning of the final that an unexpected development took place when Alfred sprained his ankle when doing a workout. Not all the efforts of the physio and the doctor could give him any relief, as he was hardly able to walk, let alone run.

The tournament committee, in the absence of any rule or precedent where both players could not play in the finals on medical grounds, unanimously decided to declare both players winners and award the championship to both of them in what was considered an unprecedented step in the annals of the tournament. Benson breathed a sigh of relief that God had answered his prayers through this happy ending.

Perhaps there is a time  to decide for persons at their peak, especially in sports,  to quit gracefully when they can and not when they must.