This is How a Teacher Gave a Life Lesson by Asking a Simple Question!
It was Summers and I was in 5th grade probably. The classroom was full as the class strength was 50 students made to sit on all wooden desks that were arranged in 5x5(5 rows and 5 columns) matrix type layout, with 2 students on each desk.
The time was around 12 in the afternoon when a teacher entered the classroom and we were happy that she was an arrangement teacher which meant we could do anything we wanted but not make noises.
I hope everyone knows what an arrangement period is? It’s when the subject teacher is on leave so the management sends another teacher just to maintain the discipline.
So she sat down and unlike other arrangement teachers who just appeal to the students to be silent and do their work, she wanted some activity thinking that students will be engaged and time will pass!
She wrote a question on the blackboard with chalk, which said:
“What Makes a Car Drive? Or What Lets You Drive a Car?”
She asked the whole class to answer that question, she also gave us 10 minutes to think about that and informed us that after 10 minutes, each student will stand and will share his answer with the whole class by speaking loudly.
The discussion was allowed, so each student secretly shared a laugh that ma'am doesn't even know a simple question, it's so easy, who asks that? I think this is a generational problem, we often think that our elders are stupid. Right?
10 minutes got over, it was time for the performance!
Ma’am pointed out the first student sitting in the front left corner of the classroom and said what is your answer?
1st Student:- Ma’am it's The Engine that makes it drive.
Ma’am:- No, next student, please!
It was surprising that most of the students might have thought the exact same answer and Ma’am weren’t convinced!
2nd Student:- Ma’am it’s The Wheels that make it drive.
Ma’am:- No, Next!
Again a shocking stance! Wheels were the next closest answer many thought!
3rd Student:- Ma’am it's The Fuel!
Ma’am:- No, Next!
4th Student:- Ma’am it's The Steering Wheel!
Ma’am:- No!
5th Student:- Ma’am it’s The Gears.
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6th...
..
.
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13th Student:- Ma’am it's The Battery.
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25th…
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36th Student:- Ma’am its The Spark Plug!
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48th…
.
By 50 the student listened to many innovative answers, that you can think of a grade 5 student but Ma’am wasn't convinced. Ma’am didn't get the answer from the students.
The period used to be 35 mins long and just after the 50th student sat after giving his answer, the bell rang indicating that the period was over. Ma’am smiled and walked toward her belongings like a purse and a water bottle. She picked them up and started walking outside of the room!
We thought we were scammed like she had a good time pass and after the period is over she went as if nothing has happened. So unanimously stopped her and demanded Ma’am what is the answer to the question!
She smiled again and said students, you all were wrong!
It’s the Break of a Car That Lets Us Drive That.
It was such a mockery for us all at that time but now when I look back, I realize that It was a wonderful life lesson!
It’s the break of the car that is most important if you don’t know when to apply it you may end up having an accident. It’s the break that prevents destruction and mishappening.
Similarly in life, know the importance of “break”, and know when to apply it!
I wish all of us are blessed with this kind of Teacher,
I want to Thank Ma’am for Teaching that lesson!
