Happy Teacher’s Day

This year the board results have stunned everyone because a boy named Agastya Roy from slums has topped in almost all subjects. As the boys of city’s reputed St. Charles convent school discussed this, Mr. Sharma who was their teacher for the past 12 years made an unobtrusive movement overhearing what they were discussing. His eyes shone differently. Everyone in the school was praising the boy for his efforts. Some also exclaimed that it was merely his good luck, nothing else. Mr. Sharma heard both positive and negative comments. He reached the podium and as a senior Teacher of the school announced the merit list of the school for the year. Mr. Sharma was a stout and fair man. He was a very reserved person who talked selectively only about studies. He was a very silent and sincere teacher so nobody liked him. Kids laughed at him for his Pyknic body type and thought he had mental issues. His fellow colleagues referred to him as Agelast and ignored him. But he sincerely did his job for years and would never mind anybody who laughed or made fun of him.

That evening at his home, Mr. Sharma was cooking some eggs as usual for his dinner. This was his daily routine after school as He lived alone after his wife passed away years ago. He had no children. Suddenly as he was cooking he heard some noise. The noise was unusual so he stopped and wondered. He went and peeped out of his living room window to know what was happening. He felt as if a Simoom hit him on his face and, irritated by it, he just closed the window to return. He finished his cooking and sat down to eat. First bite he had and when he was about to praise his own cooking skills, the doorbell buzzed. He took a heavy and got up to open the door halfheartedly. He opened the door with a slight jerk. He was not surprised. Somewhere he was expecting this guest tonight at his place. There stood a boy with a strand of rose in his hand, tears in his eyes. Mr. Sharma took the rose from his hand and gestured to him to come inside.

He offered the boy to sit with him at the dining table and served him eggs. He poured some juice in his glass and looked at him with a smile. The boy was still overwhelmed and had tears in his eyes.

“You did it, Sir.” The boy said.

“You did it Agastya, not me. I gave you what I had…time and knowledge. It was you who made use of it to achieve your goals.”

“Thank you Teacher. I cannot thank you enough for this.”

“Proud of you my boy. Now have some food and smile.” Mr. Sharma pets his head.

News Headlines:

“Agastya Roy praises his neighbor teacher Mr. Sharma for his score at the Boards. Says it was impossible without him. Mr. Sharma taught him during the night hours and prepared him for his board exams.”

The End.