Hero No. 1

 “Who is your Hero No. 1?” Raji teacher asked the class with a smile.

Children were quick enough to shout the names of their favourite heroes.  Most of them shouted the names of filmy heroes.

“Oh! I can not hear you properly if you shout like this” said Raji teacher and asked everyone to submit the name of their Hero No. 1 on a piece of paper mentioning their name and roll number.

Enthusiastically, children submitted their choice to Raji teacher and waited anxiously to hear from her.

Teachers, students and the parents loved Raji teacher very much for her friendly behaviour and practical way of imparting education instead of merely going by the academics and curriculum training.  She always stressed on imparting moral values in her teachings.

Raji teacher had won Best Teacher Award quite number of times.  The school management considered her as a big asset to the school.

By adjusting her spectacles, Raji teacher asked – “Dear students, can your Hero No. 1 make you a hero?”

Confused, the children started murmuring.  “Silence please” Raji teacher raised her voice and said – “Day after tomorrow, we are celebrating our School Annual Day in presence of a few guests of honour.  I would like to see how many of you can bring your Hero No. 1 to attend our function”.

The little children got a shock.  Before they could utter something, Raji teacher said – “There will be a special prize for the winners and their heroes”.  With a smile, Raji teacher left the class immediately.

“My Hero No. 1 is a superstar.  How can I bring him from Mumbai?” exclaimed little Daya.

“My Hero No. 1 also is a superstar and more popular than yours” suddenly many children started shouting.

Damu interfered and said – “Come on, please stop this.  Your superstars are available in Mumbai but my superstar is in China.  What do I do?”

“Anyway, I can not get any award.  My superstar is in the space as he is a renowned astronaut” sadly said little Golu.

The funniest boy in the class, Jiyan said laughingly – “I have no tension as I have no Hero No. 1”.

Confused and worried, children returned home when the bell rang.  Raji teacher smiled silently along with headmaster and other staffs.

Most of the parents had a very tough time with their children who wanted their Hero No. 1 to be brought to their school.  Children tried many tactics with their parents by crying, arguing, not eating and many such childish gestures but to no avail.

Finally, the School Annual Day came.  Children participated voluntarily and enthusiastically in many activities for making the function a big event. The school and the stage were finally decorated beautifully.  The guests of honour also arrived and the function began.

Not only the children but the parents too anxiously looked around to see if any superstar had come.  Having seen no such popular heroes, children became happy and relaxed thinking that nobody would get the special award.

After a few rounds of inaugural speech and other formalities, Raji teacher addressed the crowd –“Good evening to all of you and once again hearty welcome to our guests of honour.  Now, it is the time for the special award.  We would like to see if any student could bring his Hero No. 1 to grace our function today”.

Pin-drop silence swallowed the school premise.  Everyone including the guests of honour looked around anxiously.  Suddenly, little Kittu raised his hands and said – “Ma’m, I have brought my Hero No. 1”.

“Where is your Hero No. 1?  Please come over to the stage” said Raji teacher.

Kittu got up and requested his father to accompany him.  Kittu’s father was shocked to see Kittu’s response and hesitated to accompany him over to the stage.

Majority of the children and parents started laughing at the duo.  Some even commented on the old and faded attire of Kittu’s father.  Kittu’s father was a poor fisherman.  He felt uncomfortable on stage while being with many reputed personalities and teachers.  Kittu and his father greeted all and stood near to Raji teacher.

“Kittu, where is your Hero No. 1” asked the audience.

Kittu was a very silent boy in the class.  He never fought with anybody.  He always performed well in his studies and sports.

Confidently and politely, Kittu addressed the crowd – “My father is my Hero No. 1 who always stands beside me as a pillar of strength and motivation.  He is the first hero whom I met in my life.  If anyone teases me or tries to fight with me, I just say ‘I will call my father’ and it just saves me.  He works hard; struggles a lot in the village river whole the day and sometimes even in the night hours and sacrifices many of his comforts for me.  When a snake entered in my room, he was the person who chased it away daringly.  My father taught me how to pedal a bicycle.  He, with the help of my mother, taught me eating, walking, playing, wearing the dress and behaving well with others.  My father taught me how to swim; how to climb trees and how to buy items from the market without getting cheated by the shopkeepers.  When it rains heavily with lightning and thunder, my mother and I feel safe at home if my father is there.  In the midnight, if I hear some fearful sounds or awake from a bad dream, my father’s presence becomes the shelter.  My father does not understand what is written in my text books but he is the person who guides me and supports me.  Just like every child, I also love watching films and I am also a fan of a superstar.  My father saves some money and takes me to theater once in a while to help me watch my superstar.  Hence, I am happy and proud to say that my father is my Hero No. 1”.

The Chief Guest hugged Kittu and appreciated him.  Kittu’s father wiped off his tears and kissed his little son who made him proud.  It was a very touchy moment for all.

Raji teacher announced – “I just wanted to have fun with my students and hence asked them to reveal the name of their Hero No.1.   Just to test their expressions and response, I asked them to bring their Hero No. 1 for the annual day function.  But, Kittu has taught us a different lesson today.  Most of us fail to understand that our parents are the first heroes in our life.  We are very happy for Kittu and let us give him a big round of applause”.

Everyone stood up and clapped happily.  The Chief Guest presented the special award to Kittu and his father.  Kittu’s father had no words to express his happiness when the photographer said – “Hero No. 1, please look at my camera and smile…”

Kittu stood with his Hero No. 1 proudly for the photograph!

MURALY TV