To Teach and Learn

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