The World of Knowledge

Every morning, I used to wave an enthusiastic goodbye to the kids from the neighborhood as I watched them go to school. It made me feel ecstatic when I saw them dressed in a bright school uniform. I craved to get dressed like them and make my way to the school. But I was too young for that.

Months passed by and one fine day my dream came true. I was excited when my parents took me out to shop for a school bag, shoes and new books for me. I felt like I was the king of the world when I donned my school uniform for the first time. I proudly stepped out of my house holding my mother's hand. I smilingly waved goodbye at every creature I met on my way to school, irrespective of caste, creed, gender or species. I even waved my hand at the stray dogs and cats loitering on the road and at the stone statue standing at the traffic signal!

My mother leads me into a crowded classroom and waited outside. But to my dismay, I found most of the students weeping their hearts out and trying to run back to their parents. Our teacher, who was a pretty lady, had a hard time chasing them and keeping them locked inside the classroom. As the class was about to begin, I eagerly took out my notebook and held a pencil in my hand, though I had no idea how to write. But then, that's why I was here, to learn how to read and write. Before starting the lessons, our beautiful teacher offered us sweets and chocolates and calmed the wailing ones. They forgot the agony of being snatched from their parents and thrown into an unknown world once the lure of sweets enticed them. After conquering over all her students, our teacher who herself looked like a fairy from the bedtime stories, started telling us fairy-tales. We all were mesmerised by her enthralling stories and lost touch with the world outside.

We were brought back to senses when the bell rang and it was time for us to leave. I was the happiest soul on earth that day. I had heard a lot of stories about horrendous teachers who cane you for petty reasons and then punish you with tons of homework. But I considered myself lucky as I had an angel for a teacher who gave us sweets and told us stories. Once I used to wonder why do the children from my neighborhood go to their schools day-after-day? Don't they get bored of the same place and seeing the same faces every day? Now, I had understood why they do so. An affectionate teacher and a handfull of sweets were a really tempting combination. I rushed out of the classroom and ran straight to my mother waiting outside.

"So, how was school?" She asked, hugging me.

"My school is the best one," I said as I kissed her thankfully for ushering me into the world of knowledge.