United We Work

With an enchanted gaze, Procheta was watching the two cuckoos playing behind the tree leaves. It was a delightful sight. Before coming to the city to work at the school, she had felt a bit scared. She wondered if she could breathe properly, trapped in a concrete jungle! But her fears vanished on her first day at this school. The idea that such a vast green field could exist in the heart of the city was beyond her imagination. Today is Saturday, marking a full week since she joined the school as a teacher. All in all, the beginning wasn't bad.

Madam, madam, come quickly, Bias and Sandeep are fighting.

Procheta was snapped out of her reverie by the call of a student. It was recess, and she had been standing on the verandah outside the staff room. Swallowing nervously, she realized she had never faced such a situation before. What should she do, call someone else? No, she decided to handle it herself and see what was happening.

Arriving at the scene, Procheta saw two fourth-grade boys holding each other's collars, ready to fight. A crowd of other boys surrounded them.

Hey, what's going on here...!

Procheta stepped forward. Seeing her, the crowd of boys quickly dispersed. The two fighting boys let go of each other's collars but continued to fume. Looking at them, Procheta asked,

What happened? Why were you fighting?

Sandeep spoke up, Madam, he insulted my father.

Insulted? How? Should I not call a sweeper a sweeper? Bias roared.

Looking at Procheta, Sandeep said, See, madam, he's been saying such things since earlier.

Tell me everything from the beginning, Procheta asked.

With tears in his eyes, Sandeep began, Madam, Bias ate cake and chocolates and threw the wrappers in the class. I told him to clean them up. He said, why should I clean up? You do it. I said, why, you threw them, you clean. Then he said...

Sandeep couldn't continue, his voice choked up.

A girl nearby picked up the story, Then, ma'am, Bias said to Sandeep, 'You're a sweeper's son, you clean it. You'll also become a sweeper when you grow up.' That's when Sandeep went to hit Bias.

Hearing the girl, Procheta was stunned. She couldn't believe that a fourth grader could say such things. Looking at Bias, she asked, Is this true?

Bias remained silent. Procheta said, Shame on you, Bias. Apologize to Sandeep.

Bias showed no change in expression. He stood with his head bowed. Procheta insisted he apologize again. This time it worked, but Procheta clearly understood that the apology came only from Bias's mouth, not his heart.

Back in the staff room, Procheta sat holding her head. She still couldn't believe a child could hold such notions about a classmate. In their school, children from various backgrounds studied together, but they never had such discrimination in friendships!

What happened, new madam, you seem worried!

Recognizing the familiar voice, Procheta looked up. The head teacher, with her usual warm smile, stood in front of her. Some people make a good impression from the first meeting, and the head teacher was one of them. Not only did she make a good impression, but in this week, Procheta realized how kind-hearted she was. Procheta felt relieved seeing her and openly shared her inner conflict. After listening to everything, the head teacher remained silent for a while and then said slowly,

This is the way of the times now, Procheta. But we must not give up. Our duty is not just to teach from textbooks but also to protect these young minds from degradation.

Procheta...

Yes, sister, tell me.

I want to give you a responsibility. Tomorrow is Sunday, so you'll have time. Think about how you can change the mindset of Bias and others like him.

Me...? Can I do it?

You must do it. As their teacher, it is your duty.

Saying this, the head teacher left. Everything seemed tangled to Procheta. How would she do this? How would she break Bias's arrogance?

Entering the fourth grade class on Monday, Procheta saw Bias and Sandeep sitting far apart. Her face fell. Sitting in the chair with a stern expression, Rinki asked, Madam, are you unwell?

Why? Procheta asked, surprised.

You seem so serious today, Rinki said.

Procheta replied in the same stern tone, Not physically, but my heart is sad.

Immediately, the class buzzed, and everyone wanted to know why their new madam was sad.

Procheta answered, You all know that in a month, it's Christmas. Santa Claus will come to all the schools with gifts for children.

Hearing Santa Claus's name, the children cheered. Pritam asked, Will Santa come to our school too?

How can he come? And why should he come! Procheta replied.

Why, why! the children asked in unison.

Procheta answered, Santa Claus does not like dirt at all, and just look at the state of your playground. Paper and plastic are scattered everywhere. How will Santa come here?

The children fell silent, realizing the consequence of littering after eating cakes and chocolates. Suddenly, Sandeep stood up,

Madam, if I clean everything before Santa comes?

A smile played on Procheta's lips, You? How will you clean such a big field alone? Will any of your friends help you?

As soon as she finished speaking, several children stood up enthusiastically, saying, Madam, we will help too.

Procheta was quite pleased but didn't show it on her face, saying, Alright, let's do it.

She noticed that Bias and some other boys showed no interest in cleaning the field, and some looked hesitant. Still, it was good that some were willing.

With these few children, Procheta began a new battle. Every day before prayers, they would clean a bit of the field, and she would join them. Within a couple of days, some hesitant students also started helping. One student even said at the end of the day, I didn't know cleaning could be so much fun, madam.

Days passed this way. However, Procheta noticed that Bias and a few other children still had an indifferent attitude. For a moment, Procheta wondered if she would succeed. The head teacher came to dispel her doubts, placing a hand on her head,

No good deed's path is easy. But perseverance and confidence can make the journey smoother. Don't give up.

There was something in the head teacher's words that gave Procheta renewed strength. Through the combined efforts of the young hands, the large field was clean within a week. Moreover, everyone promised their favorite new teacher that they would throw their wrappers in the designated dustbin from now on.

With the cleaning done, Procheta initiated a tree plantation program with the help of the Forest Department, who provided saplings. It was decided that children would plant the saplings on Children's Day. On the morning of the 14th, the children were brimming with excitement. Their only topic of discussion was which tree they would plant and how! Those who didn't participate sat quietly, observing their classmates. It was hard to say what they were thinking.

Soon, the head teacher, the new miss, and Rahul sir arrived with small spades and buckets. The children eagerly took the tools and started planting colorful seasonal flowers. The school grounds were abuzz with their chatter. The few pairs of curious eyes in the class watched their classmates' joy, perhaps with a sigh.

As the planting was nearing completion, Procheta saw Bias running out of the class. He came up to her, panting, Are all the plants gone? Isn't there any left?

Procheta couldn't believe her ears. For a moment, she was speechless. Then, regaining her composure, she smiled broadly and said, There are, there are. Hold on.

After all the saplings were planted, the children gathered at the tap to wash their hands. Procheta saw Sandeep and Bias laughing together. Bias placed his muddy hand over Sandeep's and said,

Look, my hands are dirtier. I've done more work than you.

Both of them burst into laughter. Procheta walked up to them. She had never thought mud could look so sweet. Holding her muddy hand under the young hands, Procheta said,

United we work...

The children chorused, We feel no shame in winning or losing.

(The End)