"Present, Ma'am," came the soft response.
Ma'am peered over her glasses at the classroom full of 5th graders she would be teaching that year.
At the far end of the room, she saw Vidhi with her hand half raised. "Let's answer our attendance a little louder next time, okay, Vidhi?" she suggested.
Vidhi blushed and gave a little nod when everyone turned to look at her. She ducked her head and kept her eyes on the floor.
Later that day in the staff room, Renu Ma'am was chatting with another teacher. "Veena Ma'am, I have a student called Vidhi Madhav in my class this year. She comes across as timid, afraid to even answer her attendance loudly. What was she like when she was in your class?"
"Oh, Vidhi was a brilliant student!" exclaimed Veena Ma'am. "But she wouldn't participate in sports or cultural activities. She kept to herself all the time I never saw her playing with the other kids."
Renu Ma'am had taught shy students before, but it was unusual for them to have no interaction at all with their classmates. She decided to observe Vidhi.
As the day ended and the students went home, Renu Ma'am picked up her handbag to leave. She noticed Vidhi still in the classroom, quietly putting away her things.
"Vidhi, don't you take the school bus home?"
"Oh!" Vidhi seemed startled. "No, Ma'am. I walk home-I live close by, in Jayanagar."
"Me, too! Shall we walk together?" Vidhi was surprised by the interest her teacher was showing in her. What will we talk about on the way? she wondered. "Of course, Ma'am," she found herself saying.
As they walked, Ma'am said, "My son will be back home from college soon. I think I'll make some samosas for him. What does your mother usually make for your evening snack?"
"I live with my grandparents, Ma'am. I eat whatever my grandmother cooks for lunch."
"Where are your parents?"
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September Second 2022 من Champak.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September Second 2022 من Champak.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
The Return Gift
\"Dingo, it's been a long time since we've had a nice party.
Moving to the MOON
In the forest town of Hoshiarpur, there was a mischievous bear named Dabbu.
Tea and the Lizard
Parth's father loved tea and enjoyed several cups throughout the day.
Shera Breaks a Bad Habit
It was December, and a cold wave settled upon Chandanvan. Prime Minister Shera discovered that his once-luxurious velvet quilt was now stained with mildew after being stored in the damp basement.
MANAS AND THE LOST KITTEN
After the half-yearly exams had ended, Manas began to feel bored at home. He insisted that he wanted a pet to keep him company.
The Ghost on the Hill
It had rained a lot in Champakvan that year. There were floods, and Cheeku rabbit and Jumpy monkey's homes had been washed away.
FINDERS, KEEPERS
Raji came out of her cool, thatched roof hut. The rough, sun-baked ground scorched her little feet. She looked up at the sun - it was still not very high in the sky. Judging by its position, Raji guessed it was around ten o'clock...
A Dog Named DOT
Dogs like Dot are found a dime a dozen on Chennai streets. Diya could never understand why that one particular dog who was just like any other brown and white dog, chose to pull at her heartstrings...
THE SCHOOL CONSTITUTION
10-year-old Mayank had just opened his tiffin box to eat when the aroma of his food spread through the class...
TARUN'S TALE
\"Stories should be like a breath of fresh air. They should give strength to our souls,\" Tarun's grandmother told him...
