The Hero in a Grey Blazer

A tale of a young boy finding his role model

It was a bright, exciting day at school—“ROLE MODEL DAY”—and the energy in the air was contagious. The classrooms buzzed with chatter as students excitedly showed off their colorful costumes, each one trying to stand out. One student wore a costume of their favorite superhero costume, with webs drawn on his hands, pretending to swing from invisible skyscrapers. Another had crafted a cardboard cut-out with "Tesla" written on top, mimicking the futuristic mind of Elon Musk.

Laughter filled the hallways as students gathered in the auditorium, eager to present their idols. Red capes fluttered, blue masks hid shy faces, and paper arrows were aimed playfully at friends. In this sea of bold colors and imagination, there was one student who stood out, not because of flashy attire but due to his quiet confidence. Dressed in a neat grey blazer, tie, and perfectly polished shoes, he waited in line, searching the crowd for his friends.

The teacher, tasked with picking the best-dressed student, scanned the room. There were many creative and colorful costumes, but only one caught her eye. Intrigued, she approached the student in the grey blazer and asked, "Who are you dressed up as?"

With a timid yet clear voice, the student responded, "Mr. Ratan Tata, ma'am." His answer made the entire room fall silent. It was different from the others, unique, thoughtful, and deeply personal. The teacher, impressed by his choice, asked him to step forward and share what he had learned from Mr. Ratan Tata’s journey.

As he walked toward the podium, his heart raced, but he took a deep breath and faced the eager crowd. He looked around at his fellow students, now focused solely on him, and began to speak.

"I admire Mr. Ratan Tata because of how gentle and kind he has been to everyone. Even though he has led India’s largest business, he remains humble and down-to-earth. He reminded us that true success lies in how we treat others, no matter our achievements."

The room remained silent as he continued, "He always emphasized the importance of truthfulness and integrity in everything he did. Even when he faced difficulties, he never compromised on doing the right thing. I’ve learned that honesty should never be sacrificed, even if it means I don’t win."

He paused, gathering his thoughts, and then spoke again. "My elders often told me that Mr. Ratan Tata encouraged everyone to think big and dream beyond limits. But they also said that our first goal should be to become good people."

The boy hesitated for a moment, then added, "I also miss my dog, Fluffy, and I heard that Mr. Ratan Tata loved his dog, Tito, very much too. One of the reasons I respect him is because he loved all animals, no matter their breed or type. When I grow up, I want to be just like him."

The crowd, once full of laughter and noise, now sat in awe. The boy’s words had moved them deeply, and within moments, the auditorium erupted in applause. The little boy, adjusting his tie and standing tall, smiled brightly. The teacher beamed with pride as she knew that in a world full of superheroes and big names, this young boy had chosen a real-life hero—one whose values and integrity would forever inspire those around him.

And in that moment, it became clear to everyone in the room that being a true role model wasn’t just about fame or power. It was about kindness, humility, and making a difference in the lives of others, just as Mr. Ratan Tata had done throughout his life.

The little boy had captured that perfectly, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who had listened.

written by Rushali Srivastava, Seth M. R. Jaipuria Schools