Jack T. Chakhesang
NOT only the whole nation but the whole world honours the teachers. The word “Teacher” generally conjures up in our minds, the image of the school teacher. We do not immediately think of the college lecturer or the professor although they may hover in the background of our thoughts.In the Tenyidie language, “Kepethau” means “sir” not only to the teachers but to all officers and even to seniors and elders who are not our uncles. In Hindi, “Guru” means similarly. So, the term varies according to the nuances of the languages concerned but the essence is the same. The Hindus also follow a tradition that a teacher can also call upon his “Guru dakhshina”—a symbolic presentation from his/her students for the education and knowledge imparted to them.
Be that as it may, honouring teachers on a particular day is but symbolic. For, there are all kinds of teachers. For instance, each and every parent is also a teacher. A child spends more time at home with his or her parents than in the classroom. So the onus of ensuring that the home work is done falls on the parent and that too, generally on the mother. Besides, punctuality, table manners, sense of hygiene and cleanliness, good (or bad) bad manners et al are learnt at home. The type of parents, their education, family background and economic status dictate their attitude towards life and this is inculcated in the child early in life.
Your little boy or girl who trudge to school are going with all your hopes pinned on their tiny but heavy-laden shoulders. Just looking at them and pondering the wider implications, can be a lesson on existence (and humility) for you because your duty is now defined by their needs. Your work, your profession, your style of living all have to be adjusted so that you can do your duty as a parent.
Your little boy will one day grow and become parent and if you teach him properly, he will turn out to be a model father and a good citizen. That is why they sometimes say that “The son is father to the man.”
Your little girl will one day shed her innocence and become a mother. If the values of your faith, your customs and traditions are inculcated in her from that early age, then she will grow up to be a loving mother, faithful wife and a model of womanhood that makes, or breaks, a society or even a great nation or civilization.
A child is the best copycat. He or she will easily latch on to the lesser characteristics and incorporate them into its nature. According to an American psychologist, the best time to shape the character of a child is between the age of two years and six years. In that period, the basic characteristics of a child has been formed and ultimately he or she will fall back on them no matter how much he or she has strayed from them during his or her adulthood. Be very clear in your mind that each and every child is very perceptive. Any child knows instinctively whether or not you are genuine in your feelings.
Youth means not only young age, it means the prime, the bloom, the green years, the tender years of a child’s life. Youth is a term that embraces from the cradle to young manhood, and sometimes to young old manhood. And if we get to be quite old, we become youthful again.
From this can be presumed that the first great teacher in a child’s life is more often than not the mother. King Solomon’s judgment when two women appeared before him were claiming a live child while disowning the dead one was certainly due to his unusual wisdom that was based on human psychology. He ordered that the live baby be cut into equal parts and shared between the two women. One woman was satisfied but the other pleaded that the baby be given to her rival claimant rather than be cut into half. Solomon instinctively knew who was the mother and his judgment has since become a land mark.
The mother is followed a close second by the father, brothers, sisters and other siblings and then close relatives. For better or worse the child has to live within that milieu.
An enemy is also a great teacher for he or she keeps us on our toes. We are very alert when it comes to matters concerning them. That is why the Bible says, “A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend.”
The people we meet every day, no matter what their stations in life are our teachers if only we know how to recognize them. You might learn a thing or two not only from the high and mighty and great but also from your friend and well wisher, neighbour, and even an ordinary rickshaw puller or coolie. Sometimes, situations arise wherein you learn from strangers also. Whether the reactions to you or are positive or negative, there is always a lesson inherent in them.
To delve into the Bible, there is something about the young ones. Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and to pray for them, but the disciples scolded the people. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as them, He placed his hands on them and then went away. (Matthew 19:13-15).
So, apart from other things or rather, adding to them, one must inculcate in the children some manifestation of a religious faith. For, without it, all the knowledge and education may not be fully satisfying.
Thus, every day is a book—the Book of Life wherein love should abound. Read it carefully as if it is your home works the likes of which you will not get in the class room.
For, everyone and every situation is a Teacher. But always never forget that whatever your religious faith, your God is the greatest teacher. And for Christians, if they truly read the Bible, they will realize that Jesus came to save our souls but when he was in earth, he also taught the finer points of various aspects of life. As such for Christians the greatest Teacher is Jesus Christ.
