Morning arrives
“Rise and shine, Benny. It’s time for school!” Margaret said as Little Ben stretched lazily.
“I’m looking forward to it, ma” he said happily.
She bit her lip and stoked his dark hair.
“Son, are you still upset about the stones?”
She had carefully chosen her moment to ask this question and was gratified to see that Little Ben was indifferent.
“No, ma. I just want to go to school” he said in a low voice.
She felt a surge of relief and got up. “Excellent. Get yourself washed, son. Breakfast’s hot and ready”. Little Benny ran to the toilet as she began tidying up the room. Her smile faded when she saw the view outside the window. The sun was shining brightly just a few minutes ago so how could it be possible? She rubbed her eyes, thinking that it was probably her imagination.
No, it wasn’t. It was true.
Dark clouds had formed in the sky.
At Little Ben’s school
“Bennington Lodge. Is this what you call division?” Ms. Apple stared at the blackboard, unable to believe it.
“What? I don’t understand” Little Ben said.
He was close to tears and the whole class began laughing at him. According to them, he was heading for a fall and they were going to benefit from it. The teachers doted on him but his time was up now. This greatly pleased Little Sam, the second brightest student and Ben’s rival. He giggled as Ms. Apple shook her head in bewilderment.
“You used to be wonderful in these sums, Bennington. What happened all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know, teacher” Ben said.
Ms. Apple, although strict, decided to give him one more chance. However, her hopes were dampened when the other teachers reported the same problem. It hurt her deeply because he used to be the best in Maths and she happened to be his class teacher. This went on for about a month and Little Ben ended up with a bad report card. Ms. Apple decided that the best thing to do would be to consult her parents. She arranged a meeting with them after school and it was Margaret who showed up, her husband being busy at work.
Margaret had a bad feeling as she knocked on the door of Ms. Apple’s private office. Her stomach churned as it opened and she was greeted by a rather disappointed teacher whose usual smile was replaced by a frown.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Lodge. I was expecting you. Please step inside”.
Margaret’s throat went dry as she sat down on the visitor’s chair. Ms. Apple took the opposite one and she took a few seconds before speaking up again. Taking out a copy of Little Ben’s report from his file, she placed it in front of Margaret on the little polished table between them. Margaret waved her head dismissively.
“Little Ben showed it to me. Ms. Apple. I am proud to say that he had nothing to hide from me”.
Ms. Apple nodded. “He is an honest boy, Ms. Lodge. Always been one of my best students. However, it appears that his performance has deteriorated substantially these days. Do you know the reason behind it?”
She tapped her fingers on the table, waiting for an answer while enjoying Margaret’s discomfiture. Ms. Apple was a senior teacher and anyone or anything ruining her reputation did not deserve to be associated with her. At least, this was how she viewed Ben and her family right now.
“It’s a long story, Ms. Apple. I’m afraid I cannot share it with you because it is rather private” Margaret said.
“I respect your need for privacy, Ms. Lodge. I really do. However, do you realize that all of us will suffer because of it? It will hurt you more in the future. I certainly hope it is not an ailment”.
Ms. Apple had always been a straightforward person and she was pleased with the way she had laid it on the line for Margaret. Being direct was the only way to put forth the truth, even if it was bitter. However, one thing was not in her favour; she would never feel Margaret’s pain.
Suddenly, everything turned grey in front of Margaret’s eyes. She still loved Little Ben with every ounce of her heart, no matter what he did. She knew that he would become a great man one day and she was waiting for it. What does Ms. Apple know, she thought? He was not her child and she had no right to judge him. Rising and falling in life was natural. She was convinced that it was only a temporary phase and his teachers were making a big deal out of it. There were many other schools in society that would welcome them. It did not have to be this prison of an institution. Ms. Apple was a desperate woman who used intelligent children to build up her reputation. Her so-called success was actually the result of her students’ blood, sweat and tears. No matter how experienced she was in teaching, the children mattered in the end. Her Ben was no different. She rose from her seat with a grim smile.
“I think we should call it a day, Ms. Apple. You do not know my Ben as well as I do. I will be the last one laughing when he comes out on top and you won’t have anything to do with it”.
Ms. Apple smiled back. “I may sound selfish at the moment, Ms. Lodge. However, the people facing the consequences will be you, your husband and Little Ben himself. I have many other kids who are bright like Ben. After all, he is not the only fish in the sea” she said craftily.
“Moreover, I only asked you for the reason. If you do not want to share it then all I can you is one piece of advice. Enjoy life, look around you, but take care to bring a bag with you that does not have a hole in it”.
No matter how badly Ben performed, Margaret lived through it. It seemed that misfortune dogged his every step, but it was his fate. In this way, the years passed.
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