Honesty and Respect - Innovators BHIS

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." -Thomas Jefferson.

I was relatively a new class teacher to Grade 6 as I had taken over the class midterm. The children were apprehensive about their new class teacher and wanted to create the best impression. They were to submit their first assignment to me, which happened to be an essay. I had told them that I would really appreciate the neat presentation of work. On the day of submission, there was one boy who had submitted the work in a brand new notebook.

Little did I know the actual reason behind it! His work was very neatly done, an absolute delight for any teacher. I showed his notebook to the class and asked them to applaud his neat work. The class obeyed, albeit after a tiny bit of hesitation. That struck me as being odd. I called this child and asked him the reason for using a new notebook. He said the previous one had no pages left for use. I asked him to get that notebook as I would love to see his earlier work, especially as he does it so well. To this, he nodded but the smile vanished from his face. 

The following day, before I could go to the class I had this boy waiting outside the staff room to meet me. The first thing he did was to handover the previous notebook to me and say, sorry. As I opened the notebook and looked at him, he rattled off the truth as to how he wanted to impress me so much with the first assignment that he had made his mother write it out for him. He was honest enough to concede that his mother had been unwilling. He chose a new notebook because his earlier handwriting would give away the truth. He confessed he had done this as his poor handwriting had never allowed him to win any appreciation in class. Now he was scared that he would lose his reputation, given his dishonest deed. I assured him that even though he was feeling low now, holding on to honesty was the best thing he could have ever done. I assured him that I will look up to him as a brave and honest child. This brought back the smile on his troubled little face. He learnt that honesty is being true to oneself. Honesty earns respect as we sail through our life and learn to accept things for what they are.

Innovators @ Billabong High International School Thane

-Bhumi Punjabi, Vaishali Phatak, Krishnakshi RaviShankor, Smita Bhobate

Honesty and Respect - Harmony BHIS

Honesty stimulates respect

Since the great man’s thought is the reflection of our minds, let me cite it in the words of the greatest playwright, William Shakespeare, “Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honour, I lose myself.” So, honesty is the reflection of one's self.

It left an indelible impression on my mind. It happened last year.  I could see him anxiously looking at me in class. So, I called him out of the class when the period was over. He was eagerly awaiting this opportunity to open up. He insisted that I accept his opinion.

“Really, Ma’am,” he said.
At this, I gave him a stern look. “How can you be so sure about it? Do you have any proof?”
“Yes, Ma’am! I know only he had done it.” Ravi spoke with more conviction.

“Don’t blame others without any evidence, Ravi.” I retorted.

He pleaded again, “Ma’am, will you check the footage?”

Eventually, it was allowed on one condition that Ravi would not disclose the matter to anyone.

Ravi took a deep breath of relief after he had got to know my affirmation in this matter. He was scolded by his mother two days back for his careless behaviour as he had lost two hundred rupees. Sometimes, he brought enough money to treat his friend in the school canteen.  On further investigation, I was forced to concede to Ravi’s supposition. It was difficult to believe that Karan had done it.  A day was appointed to call Karan and his parents. I made a conscious effort to speak to the child with a lot of love and patience. Indeed, love and care are the most significant weapons to bring a child on the right track. I realized the pliability of the situation. I knew that every word of mine could have a lasting impact on the child's mind. It might cause abject unhappiness or a positive effect. It was like ‘saving someone from drowning’.  

In the presence of Karan’s mother, I took this child into confidence. During my conversation, I focused a lot on the constructive changes in Karan from Grade –VII to Grade-IX. All of a sudden, the boy couldn’t control his emotions and broke down. They are very well off, yet his transgression had been out of a temptation for outside food. The teacher witnessed ‘honesty’ in his confession. At once, he promised that he would not let anyone down in his life. He left the room with a broad smile on his face after receiving the assurance from his teacher that his self-respect would remain intact. It was just a first step of learning moral values for him through experiences.

Days went by, Karan exhibited noteworthy changes in his behaviour as well as in his academic prowess. He kept his promise; he never gave the teachers reason to scold him. Even Ravi showed maturity and acceptance as he did not look down upon Karan.  I continued with my teaching, with no reference to the incidents that had shaken up the youngsters. Neither was Karan reminded of this unpleasant episode, nor was he looked on with suspicion by anyone. The dark spot was wiped out entirely from Karan’s life when his name was suggested for the best student of the month.

I found ‘a new respect’ for Karan and Ravi as I fell in love with both of them.

We, the educators can simplify the term ‘honesty’ to mean care, trust, truthfulness, acceptance, tolerance etc. through our actions and by setting an example to make it understandable and achievable for the youngsters. When a learner receives appreciation, he/she immediately starts appreciating these values and gets one step closer to becoming an honest person. Honesty serves as a mirror which reflects the amount of respect for another person in one's mind.

Harmony @ Billabong High International School, Thane 
- Abira Chakraborty, Pooja Khona, Bhumika Ailsinghani, Rajshri Rane, Soniya Kuril, Poonam Choudhary, Kavita Shetty