Inspiring and Nurturing Young Minds Dr Kalam's Exceptional Story-Telling Skills

Children who visited Dr APJ Abdul Kalam witnessed the absolute power of his story-telling. His anecdotes caught them in rapt attention. Almost everything a child heard and saw in Rashtrapati Bhavan is preserved in their memories, waiting to resurface exactly as it was experienced—just as the heart desires. He was probably the only Indian President who really knew how to tell a story. The more they listened to him, the better they connected with him. Like the stories he told, his life too was filled with extraordinary twists and turns. An article by Dr Elsa Lycias Joel.

- Dr Elsa Lycias Joel

Spinning magic with words, Dr Kalam taught children to look for miracles even in unlikely places. Children are believers because their world is still full of possibilities, miracles, and magic. Throughout his life, Dr Kalam had awakened in children and youth, a curiosity and love for the world around them and in return children touched his heart with their innocence and enthusiasm. Dr Kalam called his interactions with youth as ‘wonders of life’. As a scientist and teacher for more than four decades, Dr Kalam shaped thousands of youngsters, many of whom became women and men of substance.

Dr Kalam knew how to handle children perfectly because at heart, he was a child himself. Even at the age of 83, his zest for life remained unwavering. He read to them, told them stories, accompanied them on garden tours and spent hours listening to them. In the presence of kids, nothing else seemed to matter because he was completely occupied by them.

“I honour my debt to my parents by giving abundant love to children,” Dr Kalam told Harry Sheridon,1 in a tone that had a minor triumph in itself. Few people close to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam wondered his objective behind addressing students and questioned him if his talks on dreams will really make an impact. That’s when he would answer in a confident tone with his unassuming smile, “Many aren’t blessed with optimal situations, you know. The fire in them needs kindling at regular intervals.”

In a country like ours where the advancement of education is a continuing challenge, Dr Kalam’s was a massive effort in consolidating moral visions. He was keen on retaining the very fibre of our country. To him, addressing kids and youth was more than a job. His conversations with parents, teachers and children were about forging a covenant that will strengthen bonds.