Jevith- he grew up too soon!

When teacher glanced through the names on the class list, she observed there were twenty girls and just one boy. Jeevit was the only boy student in class 5 among 20 girls for the academic year 2019. 

Teacher Anu was popular for her new ways to teach and approach challenges. The other teachers were a little curious about Teacher Anu's measures of solving this imbalance. 

They popped up their eyebrows and dropped down their jaws and expressed concern to Teacher Anu, ' Madam, it is going to be a tough year for you. How is it possible? Send him to the next section and have only the girls, that would be better. Girls, will spoil the boy or he might do the same. ' 

Teacher Anu was very excited with the current batch. Jeevith is a new admission also. She was very confident that something new is about to bloom in the class though she knew nothing about the new admission. 

On the very first day when Teacher Anu called out the names in class. Jeevith was not to be seen. When she called out for the third time, there was a thud on the floor. The class got a surprise! Jeevith jumped down into the class from the open window and very courteously but loudly announced his arrival. ' Good morning, Miss, Anu, I am the only boy student in your class, so sorry for flying in through the window. '

Teacher Anu for once was taken aback but controlled the shock, as all the other students by then were discussing how they could do the same. 

Teacher Anu introduced Jeevith to the class of girls and also announced that he was the only boy in the class. 

The girls at the very onset liked his circus but was not very keen on making friends. 

Jeevith observed this and slowly dragged himself to an empty bench. 

During the change of periods, the girls would huddle and make fun of his long nose and popping ears.  

They all found Jeevith very funny. 

Jeevith was not fond of studies. His uniform, books, bags, pencil box was not clean and tidy. He seldom brought lunch and played around during lunch hours. Classwork, he somehow managed to complete but homework was seldom completed.

Being a new child in school he made his place very well through his outlandish ways. He was kind, friendly but not like other children. 

Gradually he turned to be the school entertainer. Jevith was great help to teachers. For every little thing he was called for and not for once did he shirk. It is only academics and to remain the classroom is what he did not like to do at all. 

One day the office boy came to inform the teacher that she was asked to come down to meet the principal. Teacher Anu requested the class to be silent. She ran down. 

There she saw Jeevith's father. She was about to speak to him about his son's performance, but something stopped her. 

The principal broke the silence after which Anu madam turned pale. 

She excused herself and hurried up to her class. She then praised the class for being quiet and then asked Jeevith to pack his bag and follow her to the office. 

When they entered the principal's cabin, Jeevith was anyway expecting a lashing tongue for all his negligent habits but there was an eerie silence. 

Dad was there sitting with his head down. Mrs. Nalini, on her big chair across the oak wood table looked anxious. Her office with cupboards lined up with books and shelves with trophies and memorabilia had an undeniable impact on a visitor. Today they looked dusty and mute.

She slowly, steadily broke the silence ' Jagrith, your mother is no more! ' 

Teacher Anu all this while had her arms around his neck and now he held on to his shoulders. 

Jagrith for a moment turned statue but instantly ran towards his father. 

He held him tight and sobbed but once again he controlled his emotion and said, ' I did all I could do for Amma, still could not save her. ' 

This left the Principal and Teacher speechless. They were aware of Jagrith's mom was battling Cancer, he had a little sister, and his dad had a touring job, but little were they aware that Jagrith was the caregiver to his mother and sister. There was nurse to take care, but this little child would personally supervise and do everything in the house for mother and sister. 

He sacrificed his studies, his playtime, his hobbies and all the other leisure and luxuries of childhood. 

He also neglected his own personal space and hygiene. It was time for the school to realize the reason for his restlessness, his being academically irresponsible and so very active. 

Teacher Anu returned to class and shared the bad news and also the story of responsibility, empathy and sacrifice by a 10-year-old child who delivered his onus more than an adult. 

Teacher Anu mentioned to the class that they would all have to make 2 cards. An obituary card to express grief and sorrow and the other to appreciate Jevith's contribution to care give his ailing mother. 

©grace