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A lesson which attracted me during those days was "If you take care today, you will not be sad tomorrow". It was about the Life Insurance Policy. The story goes like this. When a person died, everyone became very sad. "How would his wife and child survive in this world?", they thought. But he had taken a Life Insurance Policy by which the family could survive from a big tragedy. After reading the lesson, I took a decision that when I get a job, I shall definitely take a Life Insurance Policy.
Aunt Gouri's 2nd son, Jayan decided to go to Sabarimala, one of the famous pilgrim centres of Hindu community in Kerala. On the eve of the journey, a ritual called kettunira was performed. My father and mother along with me and my brother went there. The ritual was a peculiar one. It was something new to me. There was a particular kind of song and a special performance ! I was surprised to watch Jayan performing all these ! I remember that he had not even talked to me. Such a shy person performing this - it was quite wonderful. It was the 1st and the last kettunira, I had seen in my life.
One of my friends, Chithra asked me in those days, "where do you go to worship God, in the Temple or in the Church"? "In the Church", I answered. "Where is your Church situated", was the next question, to which I answered, "Valambur". "Did you go to the feast in the Church"?, she asked. Sadly I answered that I didn't go. I asked her,"where do you go"?, to which she responded, "I go to the Temple of Karikkode and sometimes to the Temple of Vettikkal". "If you didn't go to the feast in your Church, you can come to the festival in our Temple", she continued her talk. These words filled me with inspiration. After reaching home, I said, this year we didn't go to the feast in the Church. Therefore, we can attend the festival in the Temple. I don't remember the reaction of my parents. But I was repeating the same thing continuously. At last, we went to the Temple of Karikkode. It was the evening time,a large crowd was there. There I met Chithra & her family and I was oberjoyed at that moment. There was a short film show, "Ammu's Lamb", which contained a moral to the pupils. Let me say that it was 1st and the last Temple festival I have attended in my life.
One day, after lunch, having washed my hands and lunchbox, I was returning to the classroom. From the opposite side of me, Sudha & Bobby were running towards me. Bobby and I collided with each other and was about to fall down. Sudha became angry towards me. She said, "Do you know who Bobby is ? Her father & mother are Teachers. I would tell this to them and you will be punished". I was dumb by her sudden attack. It was quite evident that I havenot done anything wrong. I felt angry towards them but didn't tell anything. I had always the thought in my mind, "I am very poor and others are very rich". Her parents are Teachers. Therefore, her family might have been a rich one. Bobby was two years younger to me, I think. Sudha might have been their housemaid's daughter, I believe so. Later, when I reached High School, her father came to teach me. Then the first thing I remembered was this incident.
When the School Anniversary approached, there was an intimation that everyone could join in different competitions. As I was shy, I couldn't sing, speak or dance. The Teacher came to the class and said, "those who are willing to take part in the handwriting competition can come". Many of the pupils took their pencils and papers. I also joined them. Everyone sat in the floor ( there was no space to sit in the benches for all of us ) and began to write.
In my heart of nearts I desired to become a winner. But many of them participated ! At last, when the result was published, I came 1st. In the anniversary function, the prizes were distributed. I had got two prizes - one for being 2nd in the Class and the other for handwriting competition.
