Life's Lesson

7th July 2005

Rohan was very excited. The long summer holidays were ending and school would be reopening the next day. He never liked these summer holidays and always wondered why these needed to be so long. He just couldn't wait for the school to reopen so that he could meet all his friends again. But this year there was one more reason for his excitement. Rohan never liked the fact that they were made to stand height-wise during the school morning assembly with the shortest student taking up the first spot in the line. And as luck would have it, Rohan had to occupy that much hated position! He despised the fact that even his friends would make fun of him for his short height. But Rohan knew that this year it was going to different. He had miraculously gained height during the two month long summer break and he just couldn't wait to see how far back in the line he would be standing now.

8th July 2005

It was the first day of the school after the summer holidays and Rohan was super excited and happy. As he had expected, he was now standing almost at the rear end of the line for his section during the morning assembly. He was feeling immensely proud of himself and felt that this was his biggest achievement. His friends were looking at him in awe and admiration. This moment was so very special for him. He just couldn't wait to get back home and tell this to his grandpa, his best friend. The day seemed to be longer than usual and he heaved a sigh of relief when the school finally ended for the day.

As soon as he reached home, he ran straight to his grandpa's room and hugging him with joy, spoke out excitedly. "Dadaji, you know what? I have managed to beat so many of my class-mates today!" His grandpa looked at him with a smile and hugged him. "That's great news Rohan. So what did you beat them in? Some sports competition or an essay or quiz competition at school?" his grandpa asked him excitedly. "No Dadaji, nothing of that sort. I actually have grown taller than most of my class-mates and am no more standing in first place in the line. My friends are no more teasing me for my short height. So, you see, I have beaten most of them in height!" he replied in excitement. His grandpa looked at him, smiled and gently patting his back said, "Well done Rohan. That's good to hear and I am very happy for you. But now I want you to answer a question for me. Think and give me a frank answer. Would it have made you feel better than what you are feeling now if you had beaten your classmates in a sports or an academic competition?" Rohan was a bit puzzled. He started thinking and had to admit his grandpa was right and replied "Yes Dadaji, I would have felt better then." His grandpa smiled and said, "Rohan, I am not saying that physical attributes are not important but you need to realize that however much you try or want, a physical attribute like a person's height has a finite range. This year your height has increased and you are happy that you have beaten many of your classmates in that department but next year the same classmates may outgrow you. So, things will be back to square one. But what you can definitely work on and keep on improving is your performance in sports, academics or other co-curricular activities like music, dance, fine arts or whichever other field you want to pursue. Then, the sky is the limit!" Rohan looked at his grandpa in admiration and knew that he had learnt a very valuable lesson in life. He bent down, touched his grandpa's feet and said "I will remember this my entire life Dadaji. I can't thank you enough for sharing this valuable lesson with me."

9th July 2009

The school summer holidays were over and the school had reopened after the summer break. Rohan was now in his final year of school and he was excited that he would be joining college next year. He was back to occupying the first position in the line for his section for the morning assembly! But that didn't bother him anymore. He couldn't help but admire how right his grandpa had been. Rohan had diligently worked on nurturing his love for Indian Classical music over the last four years along-with his studies. He had been able to make a mark in his city's musical circuit and had been recently awarded the title of 'The Upcoming Musical Star' in a glittering function held at the city's town-hall. He looked forward to continuing his training in Indian Classical Music and knew that this was just a start and he had a long way to go and as his grandpa would say, "Sky is the limit!"

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