| Later: "Maths paper a disaster, young one will flunk Sanskrit. Elder goofed Hindi." I reply: "My son isn't studying at all, and my daughter falls asleep over her books. Dark future ahead." |
| My sister: "How do I teach them science? What were they doing all year?" Me: "One of mine was glued to the phone, the other to the television. Will ban both activities from now on, if only they pass, please god." |
| Sis: "It's Sunday, but no rest for the wicked I guess. Don't know how they're going to finish the year's course in a single day." Me: "Have heard beating children is punishable offense, so am staying away from them. But thankfully, last paper tomorrow "" freedom in sight." |
| From Ahmedabad: "Lucky you. I still have to get through the next few days. Then the horror of wondering whether they'll pass. Don't know which is worse "" the papers, or the waiting to find out whether they've made it to the next class." From Delhi: "Ouch, unkind cut, that. Now I won't be able to sleep for fear of their results." |
| Sister: "I should worry, teaching them on my own. How come our parents never had to teach us?" Me: "We were more diligent, studied through the year." Sis: "It's the pressure these days, it's so competitive." Me: "That should help them do better, but I'll be grateful if they even scrape through." |
| Agitated SMS from Ahmedabad: "They're over, but no hooray. Both boys feel they could have done better. I can't help feeling what they mean is their papers were a disaster." Me: "Mine go to check their answer sheets tomorrow. |
| Are in a blue funk. Saying their prayers and attempting to bribe whoever it is who rules the universe with promises of many chocolates and sacrifices of pocket money." Sis: "If the bribery department is open, can I be part of the queue too?" |
| Me: "They're off now. The suspense is killing me. Why can't my kids be bright like everyone else's." Sister: "Good luck. Don't scold them if they don't do well "" they're kids, remember." |
| Delhi: "Hooray, they're through." Ahmedabad: "Really? Lucky you. How did they do?" Delhi: "Rather well, actually. Chips of the old block, I always knew I could count on them." Ahmedabad: "Eepers-jeepers, please pray for mine now." |
| Me: "Got their reports and books for the next classes. Their class teachers said such nice things about them." Sister: |
| "Elder boy's confident of his result, and met teacher of younger one who says not to worry, he's a smart boy." Me: "I think we need to be more trusting of our children." "Sis: "Easy for you to say, I've still to get their results tomorrow." |
| Delhi: "Best of luck, am waiting for message." Ahmedabad: "Oh, sorry, forgot to tell you, they're through, no tensions, but then they're bright boys." Delhi: "Congrats. Why did you ever doubt them?" Ahmedabad: "Doubt them? Never. Was just a little concerned they should do well. But you should speak!" |
| Me: "That's unfair, have always known my kids are bright sparks." Sis: "Obviously they don't take after you...mine must get their ability to grasp everything from me." |
| Me: "Am letting the kids relax, they've studied so hard, staying up all night to study." Sis: "I'd keep trying to get them to take a break from their books, they're so diligent." Me: "And so, another year, new classes..." Sis: "...and new triumphs." |
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