Page 36 - English Class 08

I have to admit that I am not the star pupil in my class. That single honour goes to Ajai

Sharma. I am just about ‘average’ in studies except for English and History in which I am
reasonably good. I have never failed nor have topped in anything ever in my life. ‘Could do
better,’ is the sort of tepid remarks that you will usually find at the bottom of my report
card. Hardly guaranteed to spread joy and good cheer at home.

The thing is that my parents give great importance to marks. When they talk about so-
and-so’s brilliant son or daughter who has scored nothing less than cent per cent since lower

kindergarten, I feel sorry for them; there is such wistful longing in their voices. All their
friends and acquaintances have potential Nobel Prize winners for their children. And my
parents have me.

To be honest, I do not like being around the house when the report card arrives by the
post. It triggers off such a depressing atmosphere of gloom and doom at home that it gets
even to me. Mother does not say a word. Her long suffering sighs and reproachful looks are

enough to make me feel like the biggest criminal of the world. And father? Not trusting
himself to speak, he simply shakes his head. Again and again he shakes his head till I fear it
might just drop off. However, self-containment is definitely not in him. Before long he
explodes: it is all about competition, ambition, purpose of life, etc. I tune out most of what

he says but it is the attitude that gets me. For days I am treated like a bad smell.
Now, I always make sure that when the report card arrives, I am at a safer distance.

My grandmother’s house at the other end of the town is relatively safe. I am particularly
fond of my grandmother.
acquaintance : know someone or something
“How did the exams go?” Dadi asked
potential : capacity
when I reached her house, “Another stellar gloom : total darkness

performance?” reproachful : disappointment

English-8 36