Cold

 

Cold

Uma was a teacher in an Anglo-Indian school situated in a rural village of Rajasthan, India. There were hardly few teachers who put their skin in the game to get their students the best education possible.

Even if it was in rural India, none of the students were allowed to speak in any other language or dialect except English. The class will have pin-drop silence until the belle rang to announce the period end. There was an extraordinary bonding between kids and Uma. She loved them and disciplined without giving corporal punishment. Soon she earnt admiration from everyone and there jealous few as well.

It was harsh winter when a regular half yearly parent-teacher meeting was organized. In those days parents from villages were simple and they asked any doubt that came in their mind to the teachers. An educated person was highly respected and believed to have know-how of anything under the sun.

Chintu was absent for quite a few days. Uma was astonished to know that due to skin rashes and cracks, he was unable to come to school. Chintu’s mother was very much worried. She threw the ball in Uma’s court  - Madamji, you tell…what should I do. Uma thought for a while and said I mix glycerin and lemon juice; it works just fine. None of us get cracked skin or rashes. Also, it won’t cost you much. Glycerin is available in any medical store.

The next day, Chintu’s mother rushed to school sobbing and grumbling. Madamji what did you tell me to do. My Chintu has been bitten by ants all over his body. I did exactly as you said. Uma was no Doctor. Now, she was worried if her solution has worked in a different way on Chintu’s body. Tears welled up in her eyes. In a low tone she asked Chintu’s mother to tell everything that she has done. Chintu’s mother recited the whole episode in Rajasthani-Hindi.

Madamji, I went medicine store (dawakhana), asked for gly-glee whatever used for cold (sardi), he gave a bottle (sheesha). I mixed lemon juice in it and applied on my Chintu’s body. Whole night he rubbed, scratched and cried to wash it off. I didn’t do as I wanted to get him cured. In the morning, ants were all around him and he was red as tomato with red patches from tip to toe (upar se niche). Took him to Doctor. He scolded – which stupid has given this idea and I ran up to you.

Uma left her work. Took permission. Assigned another teacher for her class. Ran with Chintu’s mother to see him in the hospital. There is saw bottle of Glycodin (cough and cold syrup). Uma understood the whole thing. Asked Chintu’s mother if she applied that on his body. Yes (Haan) Madamji this is medicine. Uma beat her forehead and explained Chintu’s mother. Somehow, the ant bites were not severe, and Chintu recuperated in couple of days.

Uma was profusely sorry for this. With this, she became cautious in her conversations with rural parents considering their limitation of understanding.