A Pleasant Tiff With My Professor

“ During a science class one day the professor, before wiping the blackboard, asked the students,’Can I wipe the blackboard?’ On hearing this I remarked to my fellow student that this was incorrect English. The professor unfortunately saw me talking, asked me to stand up and explain my conduct. I was left with no option but to tell him that his choice of words was wrong. I told him that any body can wipe the blackboard but if you are seeking our consent, you should say ‘ May I ‘.

All credit to him, he took it supportingly and immediately repeated,’ May I wipe the blackboard.’

Not only that henceforth it became a daily ritual,’ Can I, sorry, May I wipe the blackboard.’”

The above story belongs to my elder brother Dr Krishna Lal Pawa, an ENT Specialist at Kailash Hospital in Noida, UP. He was then a student of F.Sc. class in DAV College, Ambala, Punjab.

It as narrated to me when my story “ A Conflict With My Professor “ was published by Story Mirror in August 2022.