Cookies, Cash and Essays

My grandfather had a standard present for our birthdays- a packet of Glucose biscuits and some cash (as many rupees as our new age in years). I always ate the biscuits up in one or two sittings, dipped in milk or by themselves. I do not recall what I did with the cash. Probably gave them to my mom. All these years later, I wish I did something distinct with that money from my grandfather year after year. If I got something for myself, or better still, if bought him something in return, I feel that it would somehow have assigned more purpose and significance to that money. Sadly, my grand father did not live long enough to give me 37 rupees on a birthday, and, as a recipient of 7 or 8 rupees, I was not old enough to think beyond the cookies.

My Telugu students were recently asked to participate in an essay writing competition. Of the ten, six turned in their essays. Out of the six, one got disqualified because she wrote her essay on the wrong topic. Only one student won a prize. Today, I read out all of their essays in front of the parents so they got to see what I always see in their writings. 

1. An essay with beautiful handwriting from a student with an otherwise extremely sloppy script
2. An essay about an Indian festival that is made extra special every year due to the overlapping birthday
3. An essay that not only describes an innocent girl's view of a festival with worldly aspects but also dives into the reason why we celebrate these festivals
4. An essay that takes us trick or treating through the eyes of a seven year old
5. An essay that boasts of the journey from an intimidated five year old at movies to a matured seven year old offering movie reviews
6. An essay that describes the future of USA as seen by an eight year old in the context of the recently concluded elections.

To say that I am blown away by their work is an understatement. I wanted to appreciate and inspire all of them, including the four that did not write essays, and especially the five that did not win a prize. I went about it in my grand father's style- gave them some cookies and some cash. Except, this time, I gave them an assignment. They will have to write an essay on how they spent that cash. I told them it did not matter if they spent it on themselves, on others, or saved/invested but they needed to document their spending. It is not a lot of money, would buy them no more than a soda or two, but it definitely brings me back some very fond childhood memories. More importantly, I feel that it brings those small finite bills an immeasurable level of significance.  

I cannot wait to read their latest essays in a couple of weeks.

With Abhishek and his father

With Tanvi and her father

With Sriya and her father

With Sri and her father

With Tanya the winner

With my darling Raaga, she missed having her dad by her side in this picture

The whole group