25 - Kind Teacher

It was recess time in school. Children were playing in the ground. At that time, a boy was hurt in his leg with a piece of glass. He was bleeding. Other children brought him into the staff room. The peon was applying medicine to the boy. Bhai noticed this. Bhai inquired, ‘What happened? How did he get hurt?’ The peon explained, ‘Sir, this boy is hurt. I am applying medicine.' Bhai came closer to the boy. He was still bleeding. Bhai said, ‘He needs dressing. Let me tie a bandage.’ Bhai asked the boy, ‘How did you get hurt so badly?’ The boy replied, ‘Sir, a piece of glass hurt me.' Bhai asked, ‘From where did the glass pieces come there?' The boy replied, ‘I do not know, Sir. May be someone broke his bottle.'

Bhai asked the peon, ‘Please, clear up all the pieces of glass. Otherwise someone else will get hurt.’ Bhai asked the boy again, ‘How did you get hurt? Weren't you wearing chappals?' The boy looked down without saying anything. Bhai asked again, ‘Why? What happened? Answer me! ’ The boy replied, ‘Sir, I do not have chappals. We are very poor. I am very fond of studies. Therefore, my parents send me to school with a lot of difficulties. We do not have money to buy chappals.’ Bhai also felt sad along with the boy. He thought, ‘Right from their childhood, these kids have to face such difficulties! ’ He called the peon, ‘Please take this money and buy a pair of chappals for this boy.’ Said he. The peon said, ‘certainly sir. Very kind of you! This boy is brilliant in his studies. But his parents are very poor.' The boy said, ‘Sir, thank you very much but I do not want chappals. I do not have money to return to you.'

Bhai told, ‘I do not want my money back.' The boy said, ‘Then I do not want chappals at all. My mother has taught me not to ask anything from anyone.' Bhai was pleased. He said, ‘I am glad to hear you. Your mother has taught you very good values. You are not asking, isn't it? I am giving you out of affection. It is not a favour.' The boy became sad. Bhai asked, ‘what happened? Would you like to say something?' The boy was hesitating. Bhai encouraged him, -‘Please, talk to me without any hesitation. I can understand your helplessness.' The boy said, ‘Sir, if you really want to help me out, then please pay my examination fees. If I do not pay it, my whole year would be spoiled. And my parents would not make me study further. I do not want a pair of chappals. Please, pay my fees.’ Bhai was proud of the boy. What a thirst for learning! Bhai said, ‘I will buy you chappals also and I will pay your fees also.’ The boy was overwhelmed.

He bowed down to Bhai. He said, ‘Sir, I will study sincerely. You have not saved a year of my life, but you have saved my entire life.' Bhai said,‘If you need any help any time please come to me.' The boy was choked with emotions. Again he bowed down to Bhai and returned to his class.

Other teachers were observing the whole incident. They approached Bhai and said, ‘Sir, we get only Rs. 80/- as our salary. With such salary, we can manage our expenses with difficulty. Why did you promise to help him?' Bhai explained, ‘I have gone through the similar circumstances. I know how helpless you feel when you want to study but you do not have money.’ A teacher argued, ‘But even we do not have spare money.’ Bhai said, ‘We should try to help as much as possible. We may have to live frugally for a month. That's all. God is also pleased. If we help needy, He blesses us.’

The teacher praised him, ‘Only you can do this. You can help out others in such a meagre salary.’ Bhai said, ‘He is a brilliant student. He knows the value of studies. He is eligible. Therefore, I have helped him.’ The teacher repeated, ‘Everyone can not be as kind as you. You are great!'

Difficult words:
Good values - Good qualities
To hesitate - To feel unsure
Circumstances - A series of events
Frugally - Thriftily

Points to ponder:
Þ Here the quality of kindness is indicated.
Þ We must always try to help an eligible person.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. With what was the boy hurt? Why was he hurt?
2. Why did the boy refuse to accept chappals?
3. In what other way did Bhai help out the boy, other then buying chappals?
4. What did the other teachers tell Bhai?
5. What reason was given by Bhai to help out the boy?

Fill in the blanks:
1. I do not have _________we are very ______.
2. Please, pay my _____________ fees.
3. As a teacher, we get Rs. _____________ per month as our salary.
4. By_______out needy, _____ is also pleased.

Arrange in proper sequence:
1. Taught me anything my mother to ask anyone from has not.
2. Helpless when study but you not money how you want to feel have you do.
3. Pleased is also God needy we if help.
4. Kind as you you as can not be everyone are great.