My Teacher,the Fine Narrator of a Story

                It was 1976. Emergency was still in force in India.Leave alone the emergency excesses.But, during that period,whether you believe it or not, the schools and colleges were functioning rather regularly;the students were very orderly, disciplined and studious;the teachers too were very sincere and well prepared to their assigned tasks.

                I was doing my first year B.A degree course in 1976-1977, in the Government Arts college,Villupuram.The very first hour was English. Mr.Manuel Marutha Nayagam was my English teacher. He was such a fine teacher, with a good grasp on the subject, coupled with an ability to hold the entire class in rapt attention with his silver tongue and with a fine sense of humor.

                On that particular day, as per my class syllabus, he was to teach the English prose. The first hour commenced at 0910 a.m. He entered into the class with a smiling face. By 0915 a.m, he began to teach his lesson : Tagore's short story "The Kabuliwala".

                The Kabuliwala  was a peddler, mostly selling children’s toys and other items. Through his periodical visits of the village, he had developed liking for children, especially for a small girl. It was the friendship born out of pure love and affection. Whenever, he visited the village, he used to play with her and sometimes he asked her, 'My dear, when are you going to your mother-in-law's house?' Being a small girl, she did not understand the question, but she simply blinked and grinned at the peddler.

                My teacher blinked his eyes as if he was the child and then he turned into a peddler making some unfamiliar sounds for selling his goods. The class was in a pin drop silence.

                Days passed by. One day the peddler, in handcuffs, guarded by two police men, was walking along the street where his girl friend was playing. On seeing the Kabuliwala in handcuffs, the small girl asked him:" Kabuliwala! Are you going to your mother-in-law's house?"

                To hold his sway over the class, my English teacher asked the same question towards his students. They responded with a smile,but, they continued to listen to the story.

                Years rolled by. The small girl grew up into a beautiful damsel. Her parents fixed her marriage with a young man.

                It was the wedding day for the girl. Of course, the venue of the marriage was our class room. The arrangements for the marriage were in full swing. My teacher asked some of the students, sitting far away from him, to come closer to witness the marriage at a close range.

                He shouted at some of the students ,'Hey man, supply cool drinks to the front row. 'At that time there were two late comers who entered the class. 'You are welcome for the marriage. Was your bus late? Please be seated....Please bring two cokes here.' Then, so as to create a marriage atmosphere, he chanted mantras. He also played Nathaswaram  and Tavil, the musical instruments for a marriage. 'Ram, bring some betel nuts here'

                Then before solemnizing the marriage, he just went for a mock walk up to the last row to distribute the flowers among the guests (students) so as to bless the newly married couple by showering the flowers on them. Then, the marriage took place. The couple, who were just married, were  coming  out of the marriage hall followed by their relatives.

                At that time the peddler who was released from imprisonment came through that street. He saw his friend, once the small girl, had grown up into a bride and got married. Then he came nearby her and asked:'My dear child, are you going to your mother-in-law's house?"

                Now the bride could recognize the Kabuliwala and also understood the meaning of his question.  The bride replied:"Yes Uncle."

                At that time, the college bell rang up indicating that the first hour was over. My teacher, still in the marriage function, and considering himself as Kabuliwala gently left the class saying," God bless you my child.My best wishes for your happy married life"

                He was a great teacher who totally dedicated himself to the cause of his profession.Though he narrated the above story nearly 39 years ago, still it is vivid in my memory.He died soon after his retirement.But,he was immortal. 

Courtesy:Google Images