"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?"
This story is from the September Second 2022 edition of Champak.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September Second 2022 edition of Champak.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Mighty Mouse
Ricky mouse emerged from his hole and set off for some work. Katie cat spotted him and dashed to catch him.
Halloween Costume Party
Nandu was the first one to reach Soham's house for the Halloween party.
A FAIR EX CHANGE
Mani heard Thatha arguing with his friend as he entered the hall.
Meet the Robotics Marvels
They may look like regular teenagers, but this team of 10 children share a dream of participating in the world's biggest robotics challenge for high schoolers.
THE HOUR OF GHOSTLY VISITS
Bua, our aunt, had come to stay B with us from the village for three days, and I was thrilled because her visits always meant a treasure trove of stories.
THE HOUSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL
Twilight was setting in the sky.
SPOOKY NIGHT
It was late at night. Dodo deer was returning to the jungle from the city.
The Taste of Coffee
Ginny goat happily entered a field and was -enjoying the green grass when the owner of the field ran after her with a stick. Ginny ran speedily and hid inside a truck parked on the roadside. She had grazed a lot of grass, so she felt lazy and fell asleep.
Ravana Burst with Pomp and Show
The festival of Dussehra was approaching, so the teachers and students were busy preparing for the three-day fair organised every year on this special occasion in the school. This year the responsibility of staging Ramleela in the fair was given to the students of classes 3rd, 4th, and 5th. On the other hand, the children of classes 6th, 7th and 8th were given the responsibility of making Ravana effigies.
Here Comes Gandhi Baba
\"Bapu, where are you going so early in the morning?\" Gandhi Baba's revolutionary companions in Sky Park asked. He smiled.
