Hello folks,
I believe that life has so much to give if only we cared to give a little thought to the most minuscule of joys (which we’d find so much of) only if we’d stop looking at the looming discomforts and discontents.
So here I am, to share with you the simplest joys in my life as I have experienced some time in my life and those that I take as I face each day, at a time.
Of Solicitude
Nine of them, all of 9 -14 year olds. All typecast and typical of their character. Of course, this was the farthest from my mind when the first of them trooped into my office one fine day, to enrol into the ‘Language Building’ Programme which was to begin at the strike of the Summer holiday clock.
My first, at an all boys group it was, but that’s the way they turned up.
‘Boys will be Boys’ …and how ! Experience being the teacher of all things….I learnt well with mine that these lads, only a handful, but full of beans, required of me.
To have them seated to get the classes begin would in itself bring an unfathomable sense of fulfilment in me everyday.
Was I glad to have been equipped as challenged as I was, to have each and every one of them, my classroom sessions, livened with get-up-and-go energy and vigour to keep their heads from turning to look behind them instead of in front; those hands from reaching out each passing second to pinch or punch the neighbour seated near; to draw back all eyes and attentiveness back on me the minute my focus turned to help another in their spoken errors.
Were they not interested enough in the subject under discussion, I’d think? How could they so easily be distracted at
the least possible of disturbances? No amount of threats or reprimands would impede the constant chatter, and soon
they’d all be back at the same time each day, with their ever cheerful liveliness greeting me in glee,not missing out on a single day.
“ Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first, and the lesson afterward.”
-Oscar Wilde.
That being said, I deem myself greatly privileged at having gone through the fire for the returns that I profited. Through all of this glaring happy-go-lucky stances of these juveniles, a glittering shimmer sparkled right out at me.
As often as expected, of my company of young learners too, were a few, a tad slower than the others. I must mention that my task of creating a balance in the group was effortlessly established surprisingly by none other than our very own restless hearts . My heart warmed up instantly to them on perceiving this completely contradictory attitude of what i had otherwise discerned as very nonchalant. Each struggle by the ones weaker, would so smoothly be overcome by the gentlest prompts quietly and subtly given to help cover any trace of awkwardness of their fellow mates.
A great lesson that I am so appreciative of; Concern and Solicitude out of the hearts of the unexpected young , more
so of this group of apprentices of whom I am so proud.
