Assignment Day 29

There are two types of people: those who offer some constructive advice and those who offer wrong advice with some malicious motive behind that. 

It is very difficult to identify which category the advice giver belongs to. 

But, I have always observed that our teachers and some elderly persons are always our well-wishers. We can always depend upon their wise counsel. 

I have been fortunate as I had many inspiring school-teachers who illuminated my path and never let me waver from my goals. 

But, there came a time when I was about to lose my focus from my studies.

It was the time when I was in Class X (10). My father had given me a pocket radio at that time. 

I am a connoisseur of Indian movie songs. And all day I listened to movie songs on my radio. 

Before I got the radio, my study schedule included all the subjects such as Math, Science, History, English , and so on.

But, after I got the radio, I started neglecting my studies. 

I would often skip my classes at school and go to the school canteen to enjoy music  with tea and light snacks.

My English teacher Mr. Johnson was a very strict about students attending their class. And he would not tolerate if he caught someone misbehaving in his class or loitering in the school campus during the school time. 

As usual, I was in the canteen and forgot to attend Mr. Johnson’s class. Someone from my class reported me to Mr. Johnson. This made him furious.

He called my parents and informed them about this. 

The next day, I was there in his staff room with my parents. I was shaking with fear. 

But, something unexpected happened. He smilingly told me to focus on my studies and limit the music listening time to evening hours , not during the school time. 

He reprimanded me (/rebuked me) for neglecting my studies. But it was in a very gentle manner. 

He pointed out my past achievements. He encouraged me to study hard and prepare for the Board exams. 

I felt so ashamed that tears started running down my cheeks. I promised him that I would work  hard and make him proud when the results came. 

On that day, when I came home, I gave that radio back to my father. I told him that I would not use it until I get an A in all my subjects. 

And then I studied for 6 hours a day for the next 5 months. And when the results came, I could not hold back my tears when I saw that I had fulfilled my promise. And in the English subject I had got an A+.

I felt very grateful to my teacher Mr. Johnson. If he had not offered a sound piece of advice, I would not have achieved this excellent result. 

Even today, when I think about that episode, my eyes get moist at that thought of that great teacher.