Swara was in touch with most of her classmates from school, thanks to social media. They had a whatsapp group and she enjoyed chit-chatting with them. In her childhood, however, she had been very lazy to go to school. She sat down to write more about it:
‘Until I was in the 6th standard, we were in Ayyanthole, Thrissur. My sister, Sumi, was one class senior to me. She was a very good student, well behaved, topped her class and was the teachers’ favourite. Teachers used to like me too, as I was the tiniest in class and the most innocent and was good in academics. Those were the times when studious kids were always the teachers’ favourite! Maybe even now it is so? We never used to study much at home though. I think the school and the teaching methods were really good.
But I don’t know why, I used to dislike going to school. I think it was because I was too impatient to sit through every period on the bench, paying attention in class, taking notes etc. We had monthly tests too.
At home I would not spend even one minute idle. We had a rounded pillar in our porch and I used to simply climb up and down the pillar, in case I could not get to play outside and this happened mostly during the monsoon. Otherwise I would climb trees. I used to be proud of these feats! Especially when my neighbours or guests at home admired and appreciated my climbing skills.
Once I went halfway up a coconut tree. It was summer and I was only wearing a short camisole. I saw a spider (I have arachnophobia) on the tree and I suddenly let go of my feet and as a result, my chest and thighs got scratched by the sharp sides of the tree! And down I fell. It took a while to heal, yet, it did not stop me from climbing the coconut tree again! Only I would first check for spiders!
How would a kid so hyper active sit in a classroom? Physical activity was important to me, more than anything! I would play with stones or do skipping, hopping, running etc. I would play with friends if they came, else I was happy playing alone.
One day Sumi was sick and was not going to attend school the next day. I think I was in the third standard. Usually, I would cry and not go to school if Sumi wasn’t going and most of the time, my parents would relent and let me stay at home. This time however, they insisted that I go. My dad was supposed to drop and pick me up.
In the morning I made another attempt at pleading with my parents to let me stay at home. Dad was soft and had half agreed, but mom would not hear of it. There was a pepper creeper which grew on our side compound wall, she immediately broke a stick from it and threatened to hit me with it. She used to do this often and I would get scared and obey her.
I then demanded that she make lemonade for me in a bottle, which I could have at school. Mom agreed to this. Now the thought of drinking lemonade at school was exciting, or, atleast I made myself believe so.
Dad and I, set out for school, dad carrying my school bag, lunch bag and lemonade bottle. I followed, half heartedly. Dad spoke soothing words on the way to school. He always pampered me. Soon we were in school. Dad bade goodbye and left.
I went to my classroom, then my heart felt heavy! I could not imagine being in school without Sumi. I would always run to see her during all our interval breaks. I was so attached to her, dependent on her, at school! I would go and tell her all my complaints and grievances against my classmates, teachers etc and she would comfort me. I suddenly missed her. I looked sad. My classmates could not cheer me up. I took out the lemonade bottle and drank the whole juice. Then I felt a sudden urge to go home and ran out of my classroom.
The school bell hadn’t rung yet and the gate was open. I sprinted at full speed out of the gate and soon met dad halfway. He was slowly walking back home. I called out to him. He was shocked to see me running towards him. I told him I had a very bad stomach ache. But, I hadn’t brought my school bag along (lest someone would ask me why I was going back home)!
Dad made me sit in a tailor’s shop, asked him to take care of me while he went to fetch the bag. He agreed and asked me to rest on a chair. Dad went to school and returned with my school bag and stuff, while I was nicely chatting away with the tailor! Upon seeing me, dad doubted I was faking a stomach ache. He offered to take me home in a rickshaw but I told him I could walk. His doubts were confirmed now.
As I said, dad was sweet. He knew I was being lazy and didn’t want to be in school. He took me back home without any further questions. Mom had a question mark on her face seeing me return home. But dad didn’t give me away! Or, at least I thought so, because I was allowed to be in my bed, resting, with my sister. I had to pretend to sleep, otherwise mom would come to know! But I am sure she knew too!
By noon, I was up and active! And it was obvious now that I had faked a stomach ache to come home! I didn’t care now. It was afternoon and they wouldn’t send me back to school!
Dad would always take my side whenever mom scolded me. When I went to school for the first time, dad came back home and cried! He could not bear to see me crying at school. I have always been dad’s pet!
Well, that’s all for now’
Swara suddenly missed school!
