We learnt that our class teacher, Mr. Singh, was about to be transferred to another school in a week. All the pupils adored Mr. Singh as he was a very good and dedicated teacher. He never shouted at us and was very patient with the slower pupils.
Our class decided to hold a farewell party for this model teacher. But we needed to have the permission of the school’s principal first. Anurag was given the task of writing to the principal for permission to hold the party as her handwriting was the neatest and her language skills were excellent. After the letter was written, all the pupils in the class signed the letter and a delegation of six pupils, myself included, went to the principal’s office.
The principal was mildly curious when he saw the six of us in his office. We gave him the letter of petition and after reading it in silence, he frowned. He said that the request was very irregular but after the six of us beseeched him in earnest, he relented and gave us the permission. He allowed us to hold the party during the last period of the following Friday, which would be Mr. Singh’s last day of teaching in our school.
The whole class was excited after getting the permission. We gathered together after school and planned for the party. After some debate and discussion we finally agreed on the things we needed to do. On the last period of school on the following Friday, our class monitor, Piyush, approached Mr. Singh just as he was about to begin the next lesson.
“Sir, we have obtained permission from the principal to treat you to a simple farewell party.”
Some of the pupils then brought out the drinks and food that have been prepared by their parents. We have left it hidden in a corner so that Mr. Singh would not see it as we wanted to surprise him. And surprise him we did! For an instant, he was speechless and his eyes took on a misty look. Then, he was back to his normal self again. He acquiesced to the treat and my classmate, Sujata, brought a paper plate of fried noodles and a cup of lemonade for Mr. Singh. Everyone cheered and clapped as he took his first spoonful of fried noodles.
After the meal, Mr. Singh gave an impromptu farewell speech. He spoke for fifteen minutes, thanking the class for taking the trouble to hold the party and for being such caring pupils. His speech was also peppered with sound advice for us.
Just before the school bell rang to signal the end of the school day, I was given the honour of presenting our farewell gift to Mr. Singh. We knew him to be a great fan of mystery and detective novels and so we had bought for him the “Complete Sherlock Holmes” which contained all the stories and novelettes written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. When he unwrapped the gift, we saw two large beads of tears rolling down his cheeks. He was very deeply moved.
Then, the school bell rang and each pupil shook hands with Mr. Singh for one last time before heading for home.
Vocabulary
cheered greeted
unwrapped untied
