Words-perhaps the most powerful weapon that can make or break you, that can blossom or destroy you forever…
Today I would like to share a small incident, an experience I have had as a child that has left an everlasting impression on my mind.
I recall it was our Hindi class, as usual, the teacher came and gave a brief introduction about what we were going to be reading in the class -a poem.
Poetry had always intrigued me…I was elated, smiling with excitement as I always looked forward to the poetry sessions, be it Hindi, English or Sanskrit.it was clearly an ambit of my interest.
She saw me smiling and asked me the reason…I told her with an impetuosity that I had already read the poem and quite loved it.
She was a strict teacher, perhaps she didn’t like my announcing that I had already read it.
She asked me to stand up and explain the meaning if I had already read it,
The whole class started giggling( that’s how it happens in small towns of Himachal 
?)
I got up…nervous, scared, at the same time excited about expressing myself.
I started reading and explaining my interpretation of the poem…
After I was done, there was a pin drop silence in the class….all eyes resting on our Hindi teacher’s narrowing eyes…some students looked at me while I was making a failed attempt to swallow that huge lump in my throat.
My teacher was still looking at me with penetrating eyes….through her thick glasses.Her stern look and twitching of eyes made me tremble with fear…I knew I had annoyed her…
She took a deep breath and said…
“Even though the explanation you have given is not right….this is not what this poem means…but I am very impressed with your interpretation.I like the way you have perceived it,one had never thought it that way…so it’s wonderful and I would want you to stay this way,always have the courage to speak your mind…express what you feel about certain things…do not follow the herd ,at the same time be receptive…do not let “ahankar” touch you…be open to accept and adopt new ideas….now let me explain you the meaning and then we shall discuss if you also see it how others do..or the poet has….”
That was the most memorable moment of my life ..rather the turning point…when every individual realizes his or her….power and shortcomings….it was the wisdom of my teacher how she put it across to me made me feel so good about myself…despite being wrong in my understanding of the poem…
She could have snubbed me…n belittled me in front of the entire class….that would have killed the curious kid in me…that would have killed my love for poetry n literature…but she gave wings to my imagination…she respected my view…At the same time, she gave me the biggest lesson of life and insight in a very subtle n gentle way by choosing her words wisely…
I am forever grateful to her…
So select your words carefully….while dealing with others… especially kids as their mind is like a raw clay…it leaves an everlasting impression…your words can injure or heal them forever…
“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” -Rumi
