Abdul Kalam, A Lesson for my Teacher: Learn English (IND) - Story for Children "BookBox.com"

Summary

In Rameswaram, a young Muslim boy and his Hindu friend, Ram, share a close bond despite their religious differences. Their friendship is tested when a new teacher separates them in class, but Ram's father, the head priest of the temple, intervenes. He demands the teacher apologize, reminding him that all children are equal in God's eyes. The teacher sincerely regrets his actions, and the boys continue their friendship, sitting proudly together. This story emphasizes the values of tolerance, understanding, and the power of empathy in overcoming prejudice.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story takes place in Rameswaram, a city known for its Shiva temple and mosque, where the narrator lives.
• 😀 The narrator, a Muslim boy, enjoys listening to the chanting of mantras outside the temple, despite not understanding the words.
• 😀 The narrator's best friend, Ram, is the son of the temple's head priest, and the two share a close bond.
• 😀 Despite their close friendship, the narrator and Ram's different religious identities are evident, with the narrator wearing a white Muslim cap and Ram wearing a sacred thread.
• 😀 A new teacher arrives at the school, and when he sees the Muslim boy and the Hindu boy sitting together, he harshly orders the Muslim boy to move to the back of the classroom.
• 😀 The Muslim boy feels hurt and tearful, and the two friends fear that their friendship will be broken due to the teacher's discrimination.
• 😀 The Muslim boy's father learns about the incident and listens to his son's side of the story, while Ram's family is also informed.
• 😀 The next day, Ram's father, the temple's head priest, calls the teacher to his house, expressing disapproval of his actions and asking for an apology.
• 😀 The head priest teaches the teacher that no child is inferior to another in God's eyes, emphasizing the importance of promoting harmony and equality among students.
• 😀 The teacher sincerely apologizes, and Ram and the narrator continue their friendship, sitting proudly together on the front bench without fear of discrimination.

Q & A

Where did the narrator live, and what was significant about the location?

The narrator lived on Mosque Street in Rameswaram, a city famous for its Shiva Temple. The location is significant because it highlights the cultural and religious diversity of the area, where the narrator, a Muslim, lived near a Hindu temple.

Why did the narrator linger near the temple every evening?

The narrator lingered near the temple because he loved listening to the rhythmic chanting of the mantras, even though he did not understand the words. He was drawn to the magic and beauty of the chants.

Who was the narrator’s best friend, and what was his background?

The narrator's best friend was Ram, the son of the head priest of the Shiva temple. Ram was a Hindu and would sit beside his father, reciting hymns.

What was the significance of the sacred thread worn by Ram?

The sacred thread worn by Ram symbolized his identity as a Hindu priest’s son. It marked him as a person of religious significance in Hindu tradition.

How did the new teacher react to the narrator sitting next to Ram?

The new teacher reacted by criticizing the narrator for sitting next to Ram, the Hindu priest’s son, and ordered him to move to the back of the class. He expressed disapproval based on the religious differences between the boys.

How did the narrator feel after the teacher’s reprimand?

The narrator felt hurt and humiliated after the teacher’s reprimand. He had tears in his eyes as he moved to the back of the class, feeling the sting of discrimination.

What did Ram and the narrator fear after the incident with the teacher?

After the incident, Ram and the narrator feared that they would no longer be allowed to remain friends due to the teacher’s actions and the religious divisions it highlighted.

How did the narrator’s father react when he learned about the incident?

The narrator’s father was concerned and asked what was wrong when he saw his son crying. After hearing the story, he supported his son and, together with Ram’s family, took action to address the issue.

What did Ram’s father do to resolve the situation with the teacher?

Ram’s father, the head priest, confronted the teacher, demanding an apology to the narrator. He emphasized that no child is less than another in God's eyes and that it was the teacher's duty to promote harmony among students, regardless of their religious backgrounds.

What lesson did the teacher learn from the incident?

The teacher learned an important lesson about equality and tolerance. He understood that all children should be treated with respect and that religious differences should not lead to division. He sincerely apologized and promised to change his behavior.

What is the moral lesson of the story?

The moral of the story is that friendship, tolerance, and mutual respect should transcend religious and cultural boundaries. It also highlights the importance of teachers fostering harmony and understanding among students.

How did the relationship between the narrator and Ram change after the resolution?

After the resolution, the relationship between the narrator and Ram grew stronger. They continued to sit together proudly on the front bench, unbothered by their religious differences, and remained the best of friends.