N. Raghuraman's column: Anyone can be a good teacher for anyone.

Dear Nina, Alex taught us all a lesson in humanity today. In class, she told how some boys in the colony stopped her from playing with the son of a colony garbage collector. "We are the people who create the garbage every day and that little boy's father helps us clean it up. He asked the other students, "Can you imagine that if they do not clean even for a day, how will our houses start rotting?" Then he proudly said that my mother has told me this. Thank you for giving your child such strong values. His words and actions reflect your kind and affectionate nature. Today Alex told us that every human being deserves respect. It doesn't matter what the profession of his parents is. gratefully Nirmala Nair, Class 1 teacher... As soon as Nina read the letter, the tears could not stop from her eyes. She leaned over and hugged her 6-year-old son, Alex. And in that one minute, a scene from yesterday came before his eyes again. When Alex came home from school yesterday afternoon, he looked upset. He did not say a word, but took his mother's hand and led her towards the balcony. A worried Nina followed him. Stepping out, Alex pointed to a boy of about five years old, who was standing near the entrance to the apartment. He was dressed a little dirty. With a stick in his hand, he was drawing shapes in the soil. Alex said in a hushed voice, "Mom, can I play with her?" Nina immediately said, "Sure, sweetheart." Sensing something was wrong, Nina raised Alex's face and asked what happened? Alex said, "Some of the older boys standing there told me not to play with him, because he is the son of the garbage man. Nina's heart was hurt by this. She looked at the little boy and her son and felt that this was the only time she could give the right shape to her son's heart and mind. Taking a deep breath, he explained, "After all, who produces the garbage? "The little boy's father does very important work. As soon as Alex heard, she was surprised. "If you want to play with him, go play, have fun. Why don't you give him a toy of yours too? Without hesitation, Alex ran to his room, picked up his favorite red shiny car, and flew up the stairs like an arrow. Nina was watching all this from the balcony. The little boy's face lit up with joy when Alex handed him the car. In a few moments, they were both giggling as they drove the car into the parking lot. I read this story in a book called The Ripple Effect of Kindness, 50 True Stories, written by Devyani Rosario, a professor visiting college in Mumbai. Two weeks ago, we met at a meeting, where he hesitantly said that he had written his first book. "Can I gift you my first book and make you my teacher, who has written more than 50 books? I smiled at my 69-year-old student-writer and said, "The greatest gift a first-time writer can have is to spend money to buy her book. I went home, ordered the book online and sent them a receipt. They were very happy. I read the book. He sent them compliments and asked permission to publish a story in this book. The funda is that anyone can be a good teacher for anyone. Not just with your words, but also with your actions. Because people learn by watching us. Who knows, Devyani might even do the same for a new writer and become a teacher!