It was supposed to be easy. I had passed M.A. and I was sure that I would get a teacher's job very easily in a secondary school, if not in a college. I applied for a job. The school was named "S.P.English Secondary School." The response was quick and I was called for an interview.
Holding my folder, with my degree and other relevant certificates, when I entered the principal's office, I was sure that I would be appointed as a teacher. The principal was a nice gentleman and he appreciated my knowledge of the subject, of course English. He had a problem of his own. He told me that there was a class of 15 students in that school, and to his dismay no English teacher lasted more than two weeks when it came to teaching that class. Grade IV was not going to be a problem, I thought.
Next week, when I joined the duty, I was immediately sent to that class. After the exchange of formalities, I said, "I love children and I love teaching."
An inquiry followed promptly, "Sir, what is love?"
I tried to be as precise as Oxford Dictionary," Love is a tender and passionate affection for another person."
One more was ready, "Sir, what is tender?"
I tried to be more specific and chose the words thoughtfully," Soft, expressing love or affection in a gentle way."
"Sir, what is affection?" said a fat one, sitting in the front row.
I tried to expand the area of my definitions, "Affection is a feeling of warmth and fondness for someone or something."
Another bomb was ready to be targeted at me," Sir, how can same thing be applied to both humans and things?"
I was not at all ready for this nuclear weapon. I was at my wit's end. I rallied my courage and began, "You can have fondness for your friend and his cycle as well."
"Sir, what is fondness?"
I tried to suppress my anger but I shouted, "It is a quality or condition of being fond, or a tender affection, a strong liking or inclination, or love!"
"Sir that is what we want to know. What is love?"
I admired the courage of my predecessors who had the courage to last for about two weeks in that class. I picked my things and walked out of the class. It was supposed to be easy but it was not.
