(School) Teacher

These are not good grades, she complained. He is not studying. How do I make him study. Can you give him extra work? I will sit with him through it. I asked the doctor if there is anything I should be feeding him to improve his concentration. I’ll take that phone away I think. Yoga helps, no? I wake him early every morning to do his yoga exercises. Do you take private lessons? I was telling him-see,with maths its practice. Regular practice. Speed improves. I mean now he takes the full time to do the question papers. I’ve said do it in half that time. He shouldn’t be taking two hours to complete that paper no sir? What do you think? You’re not saying anything.

I laughed and said that at his age even I would take two hours to complete that paper. You need not panic.

I saw the panic leap greater in her eyes.

The Lighter Tragedies

In fairy tales so often:
The parents die
Siblings are unkind
Houses catch on fire.

We are told much later of grief
From losses that are made

Not happened to.

What Stupidity Looks Like

What stupidity looks like:
A little like blindness
(How can you not see?)
A little like immobility
(From here.To here. Its such a small step.)
Akin to stalemate.
(Neither this move works nor that.)

What your impatience with it looks like:
A little like blindness
( He's doesn't see my question.)
A little like immobility
( Is there no other road to walk me down?)
Akin to stalemate.

Say,how do you work?

“But what difference is it going to make? knowing all that?
What’s the use if there’s nothing you’re going to do with it?”


The little you would get stern orders before we went any place –“Don’t touch anything. Its not yours to fiddle with.”
You, head bowed, a little subdued, not very sure what was SO wrong in a little bit of …those mysterious things looked down from shelves so fetchingly….

That’s why family homes were so much more of a relief. They didn’t really mind when you picked up the old toaster, the new radio, the nodding doll ,the cuckoo clock and took it apart.

Oblivious to the sighs of exasperation and resignation you persisted in sending your swank new toy car hurtling down the flight of stairs.To see at what point it would shatter.

Our grandfather took up a contrary viewpoint.
“Why are you scolding him so much ?Its good, he should become an engineer.”
Indulgent smiles went around.That’s right.You would become an engineer.Build bridges and machines.

Big word.Engineer.I don’t know if you knew what it meant.I don’t know how much it had to with why you were compulsively prising open covers.


Funny that I should have to explain to you now.

Your Thing of Beauty.

You earned it the hard way.
Paid for it,
Signed documents,
Set up sentry.

But I can steal just by looking.

Ceremony

You were grieving the loss of your mother
You told us on Facebook.
It was a confusing matter of nettiquette
Whether or not to 'like' the status.
I followed the beaten path
And decided in favour of it
But prudently added "Be strong.She is in our hearts"
To balance it out .
You know.

Rajasthan

The child was looking on with puckered brows at his mother watering the plants. Serious,in his vest and knickers and surnburnt littleness.

The jet of water caught the sun before it broke against leaves.

She glanced back, noticed , and with an impish grin turned the hose on him. Like a startled animal he squawked and ran leaving wet footprints on the ground which simmered and disappeared .I remember dipping my finger into sandalwood paste and drawing such footprints towards our idols on days of pujas.It meant-A god has been here.

But suddenly the game changed.He padded back ,curious, what?she won’t come after me? Another sudden drenching .Giggles.

In retaliation he tore off his clothes.Darting around,now gloriously naked,the water would not leave him be.His mother behind it,relentless and laughing.
What a young mother,I notice.

I will turn off the tap while brushing tomorrow.
Let’s leave some water for others to waste.