FootRock

The principal during my primary school was Sr Vinaya. She was a discplinarian and expected the best behaviour from students. We obliged. Well almost! The lunch period end bell rings and the students might slowly start returning from the playground. But a whistle blow from Sr Vinaya would make people hundreds of metres away to scamper to form the lines in front of the basement. A visit to her room would make make my feet tremble, even if it was just to get a leave note signed. If you have been summoned to her office for speaking in any language other than English, or done something really mischievous, then you'd consider shooting yourself than visiting her office. Tales abound of people being thrown out of school for the smallest of things.

Last Day of Cl V First Term Exams :

That friday,I had two exams: Moral Science(I think) in the Morning and General Knowledge in the afternoon and with a two hour break in between them. Done with my first exam, I joined the boys playing rock football on the concrete basketball court. We got a smooth rock and passed and tried to score. The principal did not come out on rounds except for 5 mins before the lunch break ended. But somehow she did come out that day. From first floor of the building
she blew a whistle and said 'You!' Most escaped. Being naive and mortified I stood there without moving. Two others- Manish and Avinash- both a year senior to me were company."Come to my office" she said. Once in the office, we got a blasting. Key points were 1. I want to see your parents. 2. I will throw you out of school 3. Kneel down outside my office 4. You will not be allowed to take your test. She retracted on the fourth point and let us take the test.

I was done with the test with almost 45 mins remaining. Did well but I was desperate to get out. Changappa mam saw this and asked me to 'put my head down' which would mean 'sleep with the head on your desk'. I tried but I was restless and that bothered her and she pushed my head down on the table. After half an hour with eyes closed, I woke up a little drowsy. I saw that the person sitting next to me did not have his answer paper on the desk. So instinctively I stood up in my place to see if the person sitting in front of me had submitted his papers and to get the teacher's attention so that she could collect my paper. She thought I was trying to copy and she came roaring at me "I knew it, the moment I saw you restless!" and I had another earfull.

Afer school, I met up with Manish who used to stay close to my home and used to travel by the same school pick up taxi. He said "Don't be fool enough to tell this to your parents! Tomorrow is Saturday. If she doesn't notice you tomorrow, then she'll forget it by Monday". I didn't really believe it, but the principal summoning your parents was the worst thing that could happen in school. I thought I should give it a try. Spent the night anxiously. Each day after school, students form lines and walk to the main gate which is a good climb away. And we do cross the principal's office on our way. Somehow I managed to get past her watchful gaze on Saturday.

On Monday, during the short recess I was on the volleyball court doing something. I heard a whistle and then a command "You! Stand there!"The break was over and a period gone and I stood there in the sun without moving and not knowing what to do. The VI grade was just in front of me on the first floor. Luckily I saw Manish step out of his class to have some water in the second period after lunch. I waved at him from below, "Hey! Come Here!".
When he did, I told him that the principal had asked 'US' to stand there. :D So he stood and I had company. Finally when the principal came out, it had been more than an hour in the afternoon sun. She had forgotten about me and was surprised to see us standing there. She asked us to come upstairs to her room. "Why haven't your parents come", she enquired of me. I stood with a bowed head. She asked of Manish "Why were you standing there with him?". He said "He asked me to! " She turned to me and said "Look at this fellow. His mother was sick and she visited me this morning getting up from her DEATH BED!". I was shocked! The idea to 'wait' was his brainchild, and I had been deceived. I did not have anything to say. All I could mutter was "I was scared." Later when I recalled that everyone in Manish's family is lean and fair to the point of looking pale, then the 'death bed' thing made sense to me.

In the evening I was picked up by my maternal uncle. He had some work in the harbour and he took me there with him before getting me home. He could make out that something was wrong but I wouldn't say a thing. Back home, my mother comes and asks,"Uncle, said something is wrong?". I was all tears and I just couldn't stop. She was surprised and asked "Did something happen to you? Did someone hit you?". A sideways motion of the head. She must not have seen me crying in a long time and then came the obvious question-"Has the principal summoned me?". And that must be the most vigorous-affirmative shake of the head ever :) A little later I stopped sobbing gave her the details.

Next day Sr Vinaya said "If the stone that he kicked had flew and if it had hit somebody's head or eye, what would have happened?" and another barrage of bullets. Once we got back home, my mother said "If ever such a thing happens in future, I will not be coming to meet the principal; you can collect the TC yourself!"

I should admit that this episode disciplined me a lot and I went on to become more responsible in school and did not get into any more troubles :D But the answer to what had I done so wrong and the logic of "If-If-WHat then" still baffles me.

Sr Vinaya was transferred later that year. She was the best head of an institution I have come across. 7 years later she returned on a couple of days visit to our school again. I visited her in the convent with 6-7 class mates of mine. To everyone's shock, she couldn't just remember our faces but she identified each one of us by our names. On seeing us so surprised, she added "I always remember my naughty ones."