“It’s impossible! It’s useless! It’s a Herculean task!” These were the repeated sentiments expressed by teachers, parents, and Abhinav’s classmates. The consensus was that Abhinav couldn’t change, improve, or behave differently—he was deemed a hard nut to crack. On a particular Monday, the class teachers collected Rs. ten thousand for assisting cancer patients. I placed the money on my office table with the intention of passing it on to the office staff. However, upon returning at noon, the money had mysteriously vanished. Reluctant to accuse anyone at the school, I felt a sense of shame and requested my superior to adjust and provide the missing amount. To my surprise, the following morning brought a revelation about Abhinav’s character from the students of Class IX-B. They were bubbling with excitement to share the news of Abhinav’s generous gesture. He had treated his classmates to ice cream, noodles, hot dogs, and patties without any apparent reason, showcasing a newfound quality that contradicted the earlier skepticism.
As the students excitedly recounted Abhinav’s unusual behavior, my thoughts turned to the missing amount from my office table. During the break, I decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with Abhinav. I commended him for the surprise treat he had given his friends, without any apparent reason for celebration like a birthday, good result, or a special family event. In a candid manner, Abhinav responded without hesitation, “I love my friends, but I never get the chance to enjoy with them. Even on my birthday, I have to settle for sweets like éclairs. Yesterday, I came looking for you, but you were away for supervision, and I saw the money on your table… without a second thought, I took it and used it.”
Sr Mariella CTC
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