The Sweet I Refused

Second period. Paper discussion was on in class XI Sci. A.

The class was noisy — marks being counted, doubts being asked, "Sir, how to improve?" from every bench. I was completely engrossed.

In the middle of this, a child came to my door with a small box of sweets. "Sir, my birthday."

I wished her, "Happy Birthday," but I refused the sweet. "Not now."

She insisted again. I said, "No beta, I don't take sweets." She insisted again and a same response came from my side.

She left.

The period went on. The papers got discussed. The doubts got cleared.

But when I reached home after school, her face came in front of my eyes.

It was her birthday.

For her, it was not about a sweet. It was about being seen. Being blessed. A small moment of happiness she wanted to share with her teacher.

And in that tense environment, I missed it. I was so focused on taking students' doubts that I forgot to wish her properly. 

Then I thought about Parth, my son.

How excited my son is on his birthday. How much he expects from me. A wish, a chocolate, a cake, a little celebration. For a child, a birthday is not a date. It is an emotion.

The same was that girl.

Did I hurt her? Maybe not intentionally. But I missed a chance to connect.

And that is what teaching is. Not just paper discussion. Kids don't only need marks. They need love and connection.

I was not wrong in maintaining discipline in the class. A teacher has to. During a discussion, noise can break. So saying "not now or no" was professional.

But saying "I don't take sweets" was not needed. I could have said, "Beta, keep it here, I will take it after the class. And come, let me wish you properly."

One line would have kept both — the discipline and the dignity of the child.

This is what I have learnt today that connection is also part of correction. I wish I get a chance to reform myself.

If you are a teacher reading this — next time a child comes with a birthday sweet during your busiest period, don't refuse the child. Reschedule the sweet.

Let the paper discussion wait for two minutes. Let the child feel celebrated for a lifetime.