Nobility Thrust Upon

I was a student of standard IX then. After Diwali vacation, when my school was reopened, my class-teacher after exchanging pleasantries, started discussing how was our festival. Finally he asked a question,

“How many of you have spent more than five hundred rupees on firecrackers this Diwali?

Five or six students in a class of around 40 raised their hands. Then he asked,
“And how many above one hundred rupees?”

This time around twenty students raised their hands. Then he asked again,
“How many of you have spent less than hundred bucks?”

Again seven or eight raised their hands. Finally he surprised all, when he asked, “Now tell me, who have not spent a single rupee on crackers?”

I was the lone student, who raised hands this time. The class-teacher called me and patted me on the back before the entire class. He said,
“Here is the boy, who knows how not to burn money for useless crackers that pollute environment and our health.”

He took out his pen from his pocket and gifted it to me as an appreciation. I was speechless. He never asked me why I had not spent a single rupee on crackers. Had he asked, my secret would have been exposed.

Like other boys of my age, I also used to burst firecrackers not only on Diwali, but even before and after that. My favourite used to be hand pistol, sparklers, ground spinners and flowerpots, but never bombs of any sort.

But that year, just before Diwali, I fell sick, running high fever due to malaria. My siblings engaged in their usual activity of bursting crackers, but due to weakness, I kept myself aloof.

My sickness made me a good boy. In a way the nobility of purpose was thrust upon me. I thought if my teacher had such a high opinion about me, I should not betray his trust. And thereafter till date, I have not burst crackers.

Diwali is such a great and colourful festival that one can do a lot of constructive things on this auspicious occasion like cleaning and decorating the house and working space, putting up lights and Diyas. While cleaning, sometimes I get delighted to find out something I never knew I would get.

But the most important aspect of Diwali is to meet and greet the loved ones. It’s more about fun, positivity and togetherness. After 3 years, this Diwali was special with no restrictions on meeting people and exchanging sweets.

Let this festive spirit prevail year after year, here, there and everywhere.

–Kaushal Kishore

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