The Man at the Window - From Zeroes to Aces - 4


It was a hectic day at work with audit season kicking in. I could really do with one of Poppy’s stories, I thought. Poppy had been unwell owning to the changing weather and untimely rain these days and I really hoped he was feeling better. With these thoughts in my mind I took the turn to Poppy’s lane and was delighted to hear him shouting out for his pet cat which had wandered off. It was story time today!!

“How old were you when you started school?” Poppy questioned. “Four years” I answered. He nodded thoughtfully. Poppy was eleven years old when he finally got accepted into a missionary boarding school. Since he had never been to school he barely knew how to read or write. At eleven, he was still getting the hang of writing the alphabet and he had a long way to go especially because they has put him in class four owing to his age. He had a lot of catching up to do, a lot, being an understatement. Poppy was very eager to learn and it was this quality of his that his teachers admired. Some of them even went the extra mile and took after school classes for him, teaching him to read and write. Poppy worked hard at school but after being home for all of the eleven years of his life, he didn’t make it to the next class.  The Principal and teachers had decided to send Poppy to class three instead, to give him a better chance at success since honestly it was not his fault.  Today, we hear the word “demotion” and judgment starts to flow but in those days it was truly just what was best for the child. The demotion didn’t deter Poppy’s spirit. Grateful for the opportunity to study, he took it on himself to be the best student in the class.

Poppy had not only mastered the alphabet but he was on his way to master the class. The results of the first terminal examinations were out and much to the surprise of his teachers, Poppy had come in second. The teachers were elated and proud of him. Poppy was happy but was more curious as to who had beaten him to the title. He soon found out that in first position was a serial topper named Sharmistha. It was not long before Poppy befriended her and a healthy competition for first place began. They both worked equally hard and even helped each other. At the end of the year both of them waited with bated breath for the results … Poppy was first and Sharmistha was second.  He had done it!! Not for anyone else but for himself, for his love of learning. It was vacation time now, time to be reunited with his family and of course Gattu and Gulal. Poppy’s father and siblings were home too, all of them huddled up in that little room where happiness and laughter echoed.  

Listening to Poppy I got so happy that I inadvertently started to clap loud. Startled by my reaction, Poppy started to laugh. “You truly deserve a clap” I said. His head had turned into a red tomato, Poppy was blushing. Quite encouraged by my clapping, Poppy asked his wife to get his old report cards for me to see. I turned each frail sheet with caution; it was his pride after all. Poppy had topped all his classes, from the time he was demoted to the time he left school. He was even elected School Captain in his final year at school. It was truly inspiring.

I was feeling much better than I was before, thanks to Poppy. As I was getting up to leave, Poppy said “Studies, was not the only thing I was good at in school you know, but I’ll save that for another time”. “Meow, meow” … the cat was back.


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