I had just passed Class 4 from Our Lady of Fatima Convent School in Sector 14, Gurgaon. It was arguably the best available school in Gurgaon at that time. But the senior school was in New Colony, so my parents were a bit reluctant to send me that far. It was not because it was far for a kid, their logic was - if he has to travel some distance to go and study, then why not travel a bit more for even better education. So, off we started looking for good schools in South Delhi. Meanwhile, I went to Summer Fields School for a few months till my admission procedures in Delhi were being finalized. Like every class has one, I had an English teacher there. I have forgotten her name, though I remember how she looked. She was really good with her teaching skills and made us understand the language pretty well. There was a day when she had asked us to remember a certain poem. This used to be hard for me. I was, and still am poor at rotting stuff. I always prefer to understand and thus remember, but when it comes to a poem, you can understand it, but still; a poem is a poem and you have to remember it verbatim.
Being new to the school, and to the class; I tried to mug it up, so as to leave a good impression on the teacher and my classmates.
I just about managed to recite it. All this explanation sounds weird, but the exact scenes are vivid in front of my eyes. This just shows it really mattered to me then.
So, as a tribute to that lovely teacher, and all the others who have made me what I am, I would like to share that very same poem here.
It is called Abu Ben Adhem by James Henry Leigh Hunt.
"Abu Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace
And saw, within the moonlight of his room
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom
An angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold
And to the presence in his room he said
'What writest thou?' The vision raised its head
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered: 'The names of those who love the Lord
'And is mine one?' said Abu. 'Nay not so'
Replied the Angel: Abu spoke more low
But cheerily still and said 'I pray thee then
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men'
The angel wrote and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great awakening light
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed.
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest."
Being new to the school, and to the class; I tried to mug it up, so as to leave a good impression on the teacher and my classmates.
I just about managed to recite it. All this explanation sounds weird, but the exact scenes are vivid in front of my eyes. This just shows it really mattered to me then.
So, as a tribute to that lovely teacher, and all the others who have made me what I am, I would like to share that very same poem here.
It is called Abu Ben Adhem by James Henry Leigh Hunt.
"Abu Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace
And saw, within the moonlight of his room
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom
An angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold
And to the presence in his room he said
'What writest thou?' The vision raised its head
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered: 'The names of those who love the Lord
'And is mine one?' said Abu. 'Nay not so'
Replied the Angel: Abu spoke more low
But cheerily still and said 'I pray thee then
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men'
The angel wrote and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great awakening light
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed.
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest."
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