Scene
(Mary is standing with her mother Susan, in the school corridor. She has come to pay her fees. Some teachers pass that side)
Susan : Mary, why didn't you wish those teachers?
Mary : They taught me, when I was in first class. They are not teaching me now.
Mary : (Suddenly) Good morning Ma’am !
Maths Teacher : Good morning!
Mary : Mummy, She is my Maths teacher this year.
Susan : Mary, You are not doing the right thing.
Mary : Why Mummy?
Susan : You have stopped paying respect to those teachers, who are no longer teaching you. Child! You should never forget all that they have done for you.
(Susan Continues)
Do you know? Once the former President of India, Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma visited Muscat on an official trip. When the Air India flight landed at Muscat, the Sultan of Oman himself went to the airport to receive him. Everyone was taken aback.
Mary : Taken aback! But why?
Susan : Because this was the first time he had gone to receive any foreign statesman from the airport.
Mary : But then what could have been the reason? (thinking) Oh yes. I got it. Because he was the President of our great India. Am I right?
Susan : (smiling) When the flight landed, the Sultan went inside the aircraft to receive him.
Mary : Went inside!!
Susan : Not just that. After alighting the flight, he himself drove the car with the President !
Mary : Really !!
Susan : Yes dear! Later when the reporters questioned the Sultan for this strange gesture of his, the Sultan replied that he had not gone to the airport to receive Mr.Sharma because he was India’s President.
Mary : But then, why?
Susan : The Sultan had studied in India and when he was studying in Pune, Mr. Sharma was his Professor !
Mary : My God! How much reverence the Sultan has for his teacher who had taught him long back and that too belonging to a different country!!
Susan : So, now you understand why I am narrating this anecdote to you, dear?
Mary : I got it and I am very sorry, Mummy.
(A teacher passes by them)
Mary : Good morning, Ma'm.
Teacher : How do you like your new class, Mary?
Mary : Fine, Ma'm. But I will be missing you this year.
Teacher : (smilingly) I too dear!
Mary : Julie mam was my class teacher, last year, Mummy!
(Susan smiles and pats her)
