The Strict Teacher

The Strict Teacher

Raj was an ordinary boy, from a well principled and mannered family. His mother, father and two older twin brothers lived in a nice house in New Delhi, India. Raj was 13 years old and was in year 8, and his two older twin brothers who were 17 years old were in year 12. They all went to the same school,

Step By Step School, which was a well-known and prestigious school in

New Delhi. Even though Raj’s dad was a Minister in the national Parliament and had a lot of political power and influence on the city, his family kept a low profile and kept to their principles.

Raj climbed on to the school bus and went to the back of the bus to sit with his friends Krishna and Mohammad. Every one on the bus was excited as it was the last week of school before they would get three weeks of holidays for Christmas and New Year. Krishna said, “ You know next year 2002, you can write backwards and it will still be the same year,” to Raj. Raj had not realised this till now. After an hour and a half of being stuck in noisy, chaotic and busy traffic they finally arrived at school.

Raj and his friends got off the bus and went to their lockers. Raj looked at his timetable and to his horror, he had Maths with Mr Sharma. Raj and his friends would call Mr Sharma, Mr Strict, as he was the strictest teacher in the school. He would hit students for not doing their homework or talking in class. Some times he hit them so hard they would cry for the rest of the day. Mr Sharma would hit students even though it had become illegal two years ago and all the other teachers in the school did not do it any more.

Raj and his friends tromped of to class unwillingly, but quickly, hoping they would not be late for class. Raj and Krishna walked through the door and sat at the back, while Mohammad went to Mr Sharma and asked him a question. The bell rang and class started.

Mr Sharma said to the class, “I hope you have done your homework over the weekend as I will be checking it today.”

“Raj, can I copy the last three questions of the homework from you? I forgot to do my homework?” Krishna asked Raj.

“Oh no! I forgot to do any of my homework,” replied a trembling Raj.

“Stop talking Raj and Krishna” bellowed Mr Sharma.

Mr Sharma stomped towards Raj with a stern and angry expression on his face.

“Raj, why were you talking?” shouted Mr Sharma.

“Sorry sir,” replied Raj.

“Where is your homework?” Mr Sharma asked Raj.

“I forgot to do it,” mumbled Raj

“ Well, this is not the first time you have done this. Do your work and see me at the end of the class,” barked Mr Sharma.

“Ok, sorry Sir,” replied Raj.

For the rest of the lesson Raj kept quiet