To Teach and Learn

Green air fresh the mind, together we learn, moments to remember.

Increaser of Merit, Ocean of Wisdom. Apprehensive torrents purge my bay, The once tranquil atmosphere now fades Like the morning mist giving way to the day When I behold this pure creature, I made. Pure he is, like the heavenly dove Born into this unforgiving time Where you can feel the cry of ravished love Tainted with cruelty prime. Therefore, this is an honest prayer From an honest father for his new son Like the true words of a soothsayer Let my words shine like the bright sun. May he grow strong and tall Become wise with fulfilling stern May he never fall But when he does let him learn May he live up to his name “Gephel Rigdhen” the increaser of merit, ocean of wisdom Let his path be laden with fame And bring merit to all beings with freedom Freedom of the spiritual kind In this tired times of crazy gale With a rich matured wise mind Let him in his purpose never fail May he grow like the vast ocean Bearing a fulfilling rich face Dedicated to hu...

The Rain. The Rain plays on the steel roof, The Rain claps on the cemented floor, and The Rain beats on the leaves broad. ‘Tip, Trap, Trap, Tip…’ it sounds. Singing away with the worldly hue. It sings of a season new. ‘Tip, Trap, Trap, Tip…’ It says to the withering flower, ‘Worry not for here I am ‘. It promises to the waiting farmers, A hearty and prosperous season. It sings to the mellowed grasses, and Dances on the roof tops, Kissing away the heated Earth, Promising life and to nourish it.

Afternoon class. Drowsiness hangs heavy in the air, and The fan tries to do justice to its purpose. It swings it arms like a mad man. Below the students linger, With heads supported with pillar-arms. They try to pay heed to what I say. I send two of them to wash away their sleep, A joke brings back their consciousness, I continue my lesson but they receive, Every word like a lullaby Trying not to droop like rich red poppies, They hang on. Their eyes gain weight, Drawing all the energy from their body, They try to hold it open, But with hopelessness, strive. I pity them and myself, so I call it a day.

It was an illuminating incident and now when I look back at it and I smile. I smile at the joy of teaching and realize that it is not one sided, I teach but more than that I learn every time when I am with my students. It was an afternoon class and an afternoon class in Punakha when summer is at its peak it a difficult class for any teacher to keep his students awake. It is a challenge. So on that faithful afternoon I found my students not so eager for the story I had for them. We talked about career and since it was in science, I talked about their career choices and how choices are important in our lives to make us better human beings. Then I talked about the choice I made, to become a teacher and the choices my friends made. I expressed my unhappiness about not getting opportunities to go abroad for short trainings or workshops, while my friends who are in positions lower than me get to visit many places that I only hear about in books and see in movies. Moreover, that particular...

Modern day Knight I call myself a modern day knight for they call me ‘Sir’, The sword of knowledge do I hold To chop off ignorance in those naïve faces, Their heads, which lie on their shoulder. My purpose is noble and civilised manners do I nurture In their young mind the honesty of truth. I teach them how to shield themselves From the apprehensive torrent of this unforgiving world. The armour that I wear is stronger than the toughest metal For it is smitten by love and care. And it shines even in the darkest hour Reminiscence of the goodness that it bestowed upon humanity. Every day I shout in the class as if I am crying out a Battle Cry. Every day I toil, sleepless nights do I spend To prepare for polishing my young warriors to face life This seems no less than a battle. I give, I take, I teach and learn, I toil, I suffer, I enforce, I care And at the end of each day my reward is being called ‘Sir’. There is a profound expression On th...