New Hope and Encouragement

The last post was about the struggle to get through the Tamil language exam for my son.
He got through it and was very relieved that he would not have to face that teacher ever again.

We were sure about his getting accepted for French language. But the Principal din't think our son would manage French that well and asked us to continue him with Tamil or some other language. Our hearts sank. Though they gave permission for my other son to opt for French, for this son, they were reluctant. As usual, I wrote a letter requesting but it din't work.

The boys were segregated according to the language they opted for. My son was so crest-fallen that he began to sound desperate and promised that he would score high marks if he were allowed to prove himself. That is when I decided to meet the principal personally and convince somehow. Initially he would not listen to it at all. He showed me my son's marks in English (he would score an average of 76 or 77%) this was not good enough to learn French was the reply!!

I then kept assuring him that I would personally see to his performing well in French. The principal gave in finally. I was very happy and had high hopes for my son.

He went on to study French with such a passion and both sons scored similar high marks in French. The chance given was encouragement itself and my son proved me right after all.

What if he were denied that opportunity? He would have been discouraged for life. These matters are decided so arbitrarily by people sitting in high posts.
I am happy I stood ground and got him the option to study French.

Cheers!

Mahalakshmi.

Rabindranath Tagore

Since I picked up reading the newspaper everyday quite young, I had to graduate to reading short stories, novels, articles, sooner than later.

Short stories by Rabindranath Tagore was available in our school library and so were the volumes of the Arabian Nights and other Fairy Tale books.

I was the only girl in school to have finished reading all the English books on the shelves! My English teacher who was a delicate darling used to love me for it. I used to shy away from her open praises in front of the entire class though I liked it deep inside my heart.
Due to such motivation, I used to score the highest in English. It was also easy to understand and write something on the other subjects which were taught in English. So passing was never a problem in any of the exams I would attempt!!

Coming back to Tagore's short stories.
I just loved them all. They were all so sensitive. Full of human feelings which are part of all our lives. They have moved me to tears many times. I still remember getting immersed in reading the story of a dumb girl who has large beautiful eyes. Her only companion, the cow seemed to understand her feelings so much better than all those human beings who would pass snide remarks against her handicap. But she was lucky that her husband-to-be understood her and wanted to marry her only in the end. This one had a happy ending but not all were with similar endings.
I have read and re-read his short stories and novels many times even before reaching my teens.

How I used to enjoy reading the 1001 stories the shehzadi narrated to the king to escape the death sentence.
Then there were those wonderful Aesop's fables too.

I would make a list of all of Tagore's writings and then search for the ones I may have missed reading in the school library. This led me to nearby lending libraries in search of his books. Then I began reading other books too. Very early on, it had become such a habit that I could not sleep without reading at least one magazine or some book on any subject, besides the daily newspaper. I had everything to gain so no complaints!

Mahalakshmi