The Math Homework

“Mom, I am not going to school today. I have a headache”, whined Karthik. His mother, who was well aware of his excuses, replied, “I will apply some balm on it. Then you can go.” Karthik’s ‘headache’ was the fact that he had not completed the homework that his math teacher, Mr. Patel, had given. Mr. Patel was the strictest teacher in the entire school. He was known to have drawn blood from a boy’s hands just because the poor boy came late. So, Karthik shivered at the very thought of what will happen when he did not submit his homework.

As much as he begged her not to make him go to school, Karthik’s mother would not listen. As she dropped him off to school, Karthik knew his end was near. He really had to think of something before Mr. Patel finished him off.

He first thought of faking an injury. But the school nurse was used to such ‘injuries’, and surely she would not get fooled. So, Karthik had to drop the idea. He went and sat in his class. Math was four periods away. Good, at least he had time to think.

Well, he could try making the classroom clock slower. No…the bell will ring at the correct intervals only. What else could he do….

It was after the third period that an idea struck Karthik. Of course! He could somehow do something which will land him in the principal’s office just before the math period. By the time the principal would have finished lecturing him, math period would probably be over. Anyways, he wasn’t scared of the principal as much as he was of Mr. Patel. Pleased with his brilliant plan, Karthik waited for his next teacher, Mr. Verma, who took History, to come. Then the real fun would begin.

Mr. Verma was already very annoyed when he entered Karthik’s class. His previous class had been with the fourth grade and they had given him a very tough time indeed. So, this made it all the more easy for Karthik, who had the first phase of his plan ready.

When Mr. Verma asked the class a question, Karthik was among the first to raise his hand. Pleased that students in his class were studying, Mr. Verma asked him to answer. Karthik started to answer in such a low voice that even the boy sitting beside him could not hear properly. “Speak loudly, boy”, commanded Mr. Verma. At that, Karthik began to shout at the top of his voice and everyone had to cover their ears. “Stop!” screamed Mr. Verma. Karthik stopped and looked at his teacher innocently. Mr. Verma told him to sit down quietly. Karthik was disappointed. Math was approaching fast and he was not in the principal’s office yet.

So, whenever any boy was answering a question Karthik interrupted by whistling and shouting. Finally, Mr. Verma could stand it no more. He ordered Karthik to go to the principal immediately. Karthik happily went to the principal’s office. When he asked the guard standing outside to let him see the principal, the guard told him, “He is out on urgent business. The substitute principal will be here soon.” “Who is the substitute principal?” Karthik asked. “Mr. Patel” replied the guard. “Look, here he comes.”

Karthik gulped.