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The Query
#WritcoStoryPrompt45
Write a story based on this famous excerpt from The Night Slowly Came by Kate Chopin:
"I am losing my interest in human beings; in the significance of their lives and their actions. Someone has said it is better to study one man than ten books. I want neither books nor men; they make me suffer."
I read this aloud to my class and waited for their reaction. A bunch of teenagers with bursting hormones showed no interest and made some sly joke and giggled. I shut the book, removed my glasses and gave them a stern look. Silence prevailed in the class. A hand raised and a young boy asked ," Ma'am, why do we need to study anything and expect suffering at its end? Why can't we just let things be the way they are and go with the flow? " Half of the class grimaced and peeved at me for some boring answer.
I wanted to say shut up aloud but the teaching experience of 12 years silenced me. I said," That's an interesting question Mr. Abhi, but, don't you think this author wants you to learn something before you comment on its significance?" Abhi looked at me from his thick glasses, agreeing half heartedly and sat down. The bell rang and I told class to read next two pages of the book and told Abhi to see me later.
I was sitting in my staff room, reading an article on farm bills when Abhi excused himself in. I told him to sit next to me and he did same reluctantly. Before he could say anything to me, I quacked I love you Abhi. Abhi started to shake convulsively, sweat beads appeared on his forehead and his breathing became fast. I laughed and offered him water, which he drank like elixir. After few minutes, I said," Your reaction was normal, don't feel embarrassed, but think of it as also a new experience. My saying to you that I love you exploded so many reactions in you. Did u ever think in your life that this could happen to you? ". He muttered a shy no. I said,"Exactly my point Abhi. You are young and yet to learn so much in life. The author I read in class was much beyond this and was just concluding his/her experience. Obviously, it's upon us to completely agree or disagree to what he/she is stressing upon. But, before we do that, we also need to have a good run in experiences. And you had one, my boy."
Abhi stood up with a smile and bade me farewell. I apologized for startling him and told him to come back to me if he has anymore questions.
I think I answered his query in a good manner. What do you think?
© Meenu
Write a story based on this famous excerpt from The Night Slowly Came by Kate Chopin:
"I am losing my interest in human beings; in the significance of their lives and their actions. Someone has said it is better to study one man than ten books. I want neither books nor men; they make me suffer."
I read this aloud to my class and waited for their reaction. A bunch of teenagers with bursting hormones showed no interest and made some sly joke and giggled. I shut the book, removed my glasses and gave them a stern look. Silence prevailed in the class. A hand raised and a young boy asked ," Ma'am, why do we need to study anything and expect suffering at its end? Why can't we just let things be the way they are and go with the flow? " Half of the class grimaced and peeved at me for some boring answer.
I wanted to say shut up aloud but the teaching experience of 12 years silenced me. I said," That's an interesting question Mr. Abhi, but, don't you think this author wants you to learn something before you comment on its significance?" Abhi looked at me from his thick glasses, agreeing half heartedly and sat down. The bell rang and I told class to read next two pages of the book and told Abhi to see me later.
I was sitting in my staff room, reading an article on farm bills when Abhi excused himself in. I told him to sit next to me and he did same reluctantly. Before he could say anything to me, I quacked I love you Abhi. Abhi started to shake convulsively, sweat beads appeared on his forehead and his breathing became fast. I laughed and offered him water, which he drank like elixir. After few minutes, I said," Your reaction was normal, don't feel embarrassed, but think of it as also a new experience. My saying to you that I love you exploded so many reactions in you. Did u ever think in your life that this could happen to you? ". He muttered a shy no. I said,"Exactly my point Abhi. You are young and yet to learn so much in life. The author I read in class was much beyond this and was just concluding his/her experience. Obviously, it's upon us to completely agree or disagree to what he/she is stressing upon. But, before we do that, we also need to have a good run in experiences. And you had one, my boy."
Abhi stood up with a smile and bade me farewell. I apologized for startling him and told him to come back to me if he has anymore questions.
I think I answered his query in a good manner. What do you think?
© Meenu
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