For many years we stayed in a fully furnished house facing a big park. The owner of the house was an elderly gentleman most probably in his sixties or seventies. He was tall, well built and surprisingly active given his age. He lived alone as his sons and daughters were all based elsewhere. We called him Dadu (grandfather).
One of his hobbies was learning new words in English which he meticulously noted down with meaning in a diary in neat handwriting. From him I learnt to read the dictionary to increase English vocabulary.
I don’t remember when and why he took it upon himself to teach me the language. Having worked under the British his English was impeccable and love for the subject unquestionable.
Everyday right before lunch I had to spend an hour with him to learn grammar, essay and the works. He referred to a red jacketed book.
It is during this time that I felt the most sleepy and hungry. I would sit facing a cabinet with a medium sized square shaped mirror through which I could see the wall at the back on which hung an old fashioned clock. Throughout the session I would be stealing glances at the clock through the mirror. However, the hour seemed to stretch endlessly.
I don’t think I fared very well. But Dadu never scolded me. He was patient and persistent. There was another green coloured book from which he taught me how to write essays, passages and precis. It’s preci that he focussed the most because according to him it was very important.
Though I tried hard but could not master what he called the art of preci writing. Since, it was difficult I lost interest quickly too. But the old man, strict to the rules, kept tutoring me diligently.
The credit for whatever little English I know today goes to him. I also learnt dedication and discipline from him. The enthusiasm with which he taught without any pecuniary benefits was exemplary.
सारी सदियों पे बारी वो घंटा होता😄
Still he taught you and you learned,Geeta Ji
and you are writing about him with so much respect,it proves Great Teachers live in the hearts of their students.
Have a blessed day.
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Really. You’ve said it Nusrat. That one hour wouldn’t pass. But I was blessed to have such people who helped me when I needed the most without any expectation of a return.
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True Geetaji,Blessed are the students who have Teachers like Dadu.
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Good morning, Di! That’s really the spirit of teaching—something that only a few people genuinely have.
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Absolutely true 💯
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Very nice memory. Dadu seems like a very kind and patient person. His teaching and dedication really made a difference in your life.
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Thank you very much Maha. He was old school. Such personalities are extinct now.
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He taught and you learned well
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Thank you so much Derrrick 🙏
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I can see it in my imagination- a small Geeta, being taught English by Dadu. You did learn the language very well my friend. I love the image too.
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Thank you so much Sadje.
The image is of a sleepy me. He belonged to the old school who believed in Karata karata abhyas te jadamati hota sujaan meaning with consistent practice even a dud can become proficient. 😆😆
I love the way you imagined. 💕
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He was not wrong. If there’s a will, we do learn even the most difficult things.
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True, my friend
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♥️♥️♥️
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You were blessed (though you might not have known then), and you have mastered it quite well Geetaji.🙏
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Thank you so much Rupali. Yes, he was such a perseverant teacher!!
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Some teachers don’t just teach a subject, they quietly shape a lifetime.
Your “Dadu” sounds like one of those rare souls, armed with a red book, a green book, and infinite patience.
Funny how the lessons we resist the most, end up becoming the ones we carry forward.
And perhaps précis writing did its job after all, you’ve captured him so beautifully, without excess, yet with so much depth.
P.S. Do read my latest. I’ve been following your and Nusrat’s exchange on induction and gas alternatives, stayed back deliberately as this post was in the making 😊
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Definitely I will read it.
I like the way you said what we resist is actually is what we carry forward.
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So simple, yet so touching… some teachers don’t just teach a subject, they quietly shape a life. 💛
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So nice of you to feel so deeply about this post.
We at times do not understand the value of what we are receiving till in hindsight we realise.
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Learning a language is good for the brain and opens doors. Congratulations for learning English, Geeta.
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Yes, it does. Thank you so much Mary.
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Taking a BOW for Dadu . . .
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Thank you very much 🙏🙏
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What a great memory. He did teach you good and will be proud of your language now.
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Thank you very much Ganga
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Learning English makes your traveling easy and you see more cultures.
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