I look back - episode 3

I heard there was a practice in the school that for the students who are getting first three ranks, they give badges, which the student can wear it for two or three days. In the badge the rank of the student will be imprinted. I heard that the students will be very proud to wear those badges as every one in the school will come to know about their performance. For the first three ranks class teacher will give the badges to the respective students in the class room itself while issuing rank sheets to the class.

That day class teacher entered our class and told that she will be distributing the rank sheets to the students. I was very eager to know my marks. Usually that’s my behavior; I will not be scared of getting mark sheets as most people do. Our class teacher was distributing the mark sheets from the lowest rank (or is that the highest rank). Till 10th rank I was sitting happily seeing others getting mark sheets. But when it neared rank 10, I was concerned to know when teacher will call my name and what rank I got. Till 5th rank she didn’t called my name. I was hoping for the 4th rank. But teacher called some other name for 4th rank. Teacher breathed heavily after this breath taking task. I was very happy that I got with in first three ranks and that I am going to get the badge. Teacher called the name “S”, who has got the third rank. Teacher gave her the badge. But she started crying after receiving the badge. I asked my neighbor why. He replied me that previously she was getting second rank badge. There was a huge silence after that.

“dheenadhayalan”, Teacher called my name. Though I was little bit disappointed, I was happy that at least I got second rank. I went near her and she clipped the batch near my shirt pocket. “Very good dheenu, you proved you are a potential student in the first exam itself”, she told. “I make dheenu the leader of the class”, she added. I looked at the badge near my pocket. It was written 1^st rank.

.. to be continued