The primary school teacher
The teacher who wrote this deserves applause. Today, as usual, when I stepped into my class “Kachi Shareef,” the children of Kachi were defying the usual count of 120, with a majority of two-thirds being Mujahideen who had only seen two or three springs of life and, liberated from the shackles of shoes and trousers, had proudly taken the position of a proto-cool officer with their elder sister or brother.
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Anyway, as soon as I entered, a loud cry of “Class Stand” echoed from a corner of the room, and fifteen, twenty children stood up, ignoring all symbols of the outside world, engrossed in their domestic warfare. As I made my presence known by uttering “As-salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,” a few responded, and the room fell silent.
When I ascended the platform, the class transformed into a courtroom, and 30, 35 accusers immediately filed their grievances. Someone complained about a missing pencil, while another lodged a complaint of assault on dignity. One showed a torn copy as evidence, and someone raised the issue of thoknay (spitting) on the work. Some accused each other of conspiracies, and a few lamented the deprivation of pocket money. Amidst all this, threats of physical harm were made, creating an atmosphere of tension.
Considering the gravity of the situation, all the affected and accusers were summoned, and given the shortage of time, a decision was made to resolve the issues socially with all the culprits. Following the provisions of Pakistan Penal Code 7/51, all complainants and accused were lined up in a row, and a speedy horseman was dispatched to bring stitching threads to make suits. During this, an opportunity was provided for reconciliation and clearing misunderstandings.
The severity of the situation prompted everyone involved to seek forgiveness, and considering the shortage of time, a decision was made to handle all the offenders socially. Hence, according to the provisions of Pakistan Penal Code 7/51, all complainants and accused were lined up in a row, and a fast-paced horseman was sent to bring stitching threads to make suits. During this, an opportunity was provided for reconciliation and clearing misunderstandings.
As soon as the dazzling suits appeared in the classroom, the situation was somewhat like this:
In one row, Mahmoud and Riaz stood, No accuser remained, and no one was displeased. In a minute, a brotherhood atmosphere was established, and I, too, announced forgiveness while declaring the commencement of educational activities. But what was this? Just 40 minutes into the school, and the egg-eating boys started their mischief. The dry spell began as if everyone had taken a prolonged fast from yesterday, and patients suffering from bladder weakness started entering.
History testifies that if someone asks for a washroom break and it is granted, it initiates an unending series of washroom visits until the break. Some extremists go to the extent that if denied a break, they resort to retaliatory actions, cursing while grabbing their trousers, and then returning after resolving the issue.
Anyhow, these days, the influx of students before the arrival of primary school teachers is a good omen for teachers. Therefore, with 121 students in attendance, full of appreciation and admiration, I went to the Headmaster’s office and humbly said, “Sir, please come and see how we are striving for the increase in the number of students, the promotion of knowledge, and the enthusiasm of students.”
So, the Headmaster, witnessing this army of students, expressed words that became part of history, saying, “Oh Kakay! These two, three-year-old children you have gathered are, in fact, the moonlight of four days. This is the season of wheat harvesting, and I send these small two, three-year-old children to school so that the teachers keep them engaged, and we, together, can harvest wheat.”
Witnessing the intensity of the situation, all the victims and accusers were summoned, and given the shortage of time, a decision was made to resolve the issues socially with all the culprits. Following the provisions of Pakistan Penal Code 7/51, all complainants and accused were lined up in a row, and a speedy horseman was dispatched to bring stitching threads to make suits. During this, an opportunity was provided for reconciliation and clearing misunderstandings.
As soon as the dazzling suits appeared in the classroom, the situation was somewhat like this:
In one row, Mahmoud and Riaz stood, No accuser remained, and no one was displeased. In a minute, a brotherhood atmosphere was established, and I, too, announced forgiveness while declaring the commencement of educational activities. But what was this? Just 40 minutes into the school, and the egg-eating boys started their mischief. The dry spell began as if everyone had taken a prolonged fast from yesterday, and patients suffering from bladder weakness started entering.
History testifies that if someone asks for a washroom break and it is granted, it initiates an unending series of washroom visits until the break. Some extremists go to the extent that if denied a break, they resort to retaliatory actions, cursing while grabbing their trousers, and then returning after resolving the issue.
Anyhow, these days, the influx of students before the arrival of primary school teachers is a good omen for teachers. Therefore, with 121 students in attendance, full of appreciation and admiration, I went to the Headmaster’s office and humbly said, “Sir, please come and see how we are striving for the increase in the number of students, the promotion of knowledge, and the enthusiasm of students.”
So, the Headmaster, witnessing this army of students, expressed words that became part of history, saying, “Oh Kakay! These two, three-year-old children you have gathered are, in fact, the moonlight of four days. This is the season of wheat harvesting, and I send these small two, three-year-old children to school so that the teachers keep them engaged, and we, together, can harvest wheat.”
However, you will see again after two months; it will be another dark night like Rajapur’s, as he gathered his army and returned to the classroom. Because the truth was there, but there was something…