" The Child is the Father of Man "

" The child is the Father of Man "

Govinda Sharma was known for his " gurukulam " style of teaching in Malgudi District and parents longed to get their wards admitted in his school.

At the end of lessons one day, Govinda Sharma was in a good mood and invited the students to ask questions freely. Ekalaivan was always daring to go even as a student and he stood up to ask " Guru Deva, can you please tell us about your Guru, his name, etc " Govina Sharma was pleased to answer that he had many Gurus but three, he considered , had changed his way of life.

The first one was a ' thief '. Govinda Sharma narrated that he encountered the thief when he had no place for living. The thief revealed his walk of life and added he had no objection to give a place for Govinda Sharma in his dwelling. The matter was settled and as days passed, Govinda Sharma started enquiring him what he brought each day. The thief replied 'nil' and and that was the reply he was giving most of the day. But what Govinda Sharma admired in the thief was his indomitable perseverance and 'never say die' attitude in the hope that he would catch a ' big fish ' one day or other. Govinda Sharma confessed to his disciples that he learnt from the thief the spirit of perseverance and from that day he started to concentrate more and more upon meditation and observed its power upon him.

Govinda Sharma paused for a while and continued that he considered a 'dog' as his second Guru. He was observing the dog to go up a slope and wanted to jump into the pool of water at the lower level. The dog became afraid to see its own image and came running behind. Govinda Sharma who was going to the pool to fetch water every day was watching how the dog got feared by its own reflection in the pool of water. The dog was gaining confidence day by day and one fine day, the dog jumped into the water. Govinda Sharma learnt a lesson from the dog that ' Confidence in one self ' was a requirement in dealing with new ventures.

Ekalaivan enquired about the other Guru and Govinda Sharma replied that it was a ' Child '. One day a couple was waiting to have his council when he was doing 'pooja'. The couple narrated that their daughter and son-in-law were living abroad after the wedding and that after about four years of marriage they had a baby boy. They, as grand parents, longed to see the child but were not able to make the trip.

Govinda Sharma pacified them saying ' That it is universally acknowledged truth that young couple, though live in foreign countries, long to have their parents with them especially at a time , when the baby is growing, just as the grand parents wish to enjoy the sweet cuddles of the new born". Govinda Sharma examined the horoscopes and explained the reasons for the delay in making the journey abroad. He also assured them that they would make the journey within two months. The couple thanked him for the advice and Govinda Sharma felt proud.

Very soon he learnt a lesson from a child itself. He came across one child who was lighting a candle. The child was so pleased to see the growing light and its brightness. Govinda Sharma asked the child from where the brightness came. The child was not able to answer in words but some thing in the child prompted it to blow out the candle. Govinda Sharma was wondering for the child's action, when the child answered him " See, now it is dark, the light came to the candle from this darkness". The child's remarks humbled Govinda Sharma and he told his students that " Pride goes before the fall ". He,then onwards, learnt to be humble.

He also understood the meaning of the popular saying " The Child is the father of man ". Govinda Sharma recited William Words Worth's poem :-

"MY HEART LEAPS UP WHEN I BEHOLD
A RAINBOW IN THE SKY
SO WAS IT WHEN MY LIFE BEGAN
SO IS IT NOW I AM A MAN
SO BE IT WHEN I SHALL GROW OLD
OR LET ME DIE !

THE CHILD IS THE FATHER OF MAN
AND I COULD WISH MY DAYS TO BE
BOUND EACH BY NATURAL PIETY !! "