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Walk into my class and you won’t fail to notice the most energetic kid hopping around in ecstasy. Eshwar is always in hyperdrive. And he’s always happy. The internet tells me he’s the ‘Class Clown’ and that ‘such’ kids are always looking for attention and would do anything just to get some. It seemed to be true, at least initially. 9 months back when I started teaching grade 4 in Government Primary School, Patigadda, Eshwar was the reason I couldn’t sleep at night. You wouldn’t, too, if you were spending eighty percent of your waking time planning lessons each of which you couldn’t execute every single day of your teaching because of one student. Eshwar would just not be able to sit still or hold off of making faces at someone when I would be striving to get all of their attention. It took me some time to realize the problem wasn’t with my lessons or the fact that they weren’t interesting enough. It also took me sometime to realize one doesn’t have to be ‘troubled’ or be termed the ‘class clown’ if one enjoys living every moment of life as if it were a fest.

Out of all possible clues, I figured making some personal connection with him might help me figure out the issue. That wasn’t easy either. I set aside a few minutes after school to talk to him and realized he disappears in a flash the moment school ends. I then made something of an appointment and asked him and his bunch of friends to stay put after school, so, if nothing else, we could at least play something or I could drop them home. Nada. He would give me a weary, ‘What, didi!’ and say he has to be home soon.

But I wasn’t giving up. I would catch hold of him in break or lunch and talk to him. I would simply ask what he had for lunch that day or what he does after he goes back home. His mother and father both run the family by running a shop and doing chores in people’s homes, which means he’s home most of the time alone with his grandfather. The eleven year old Eshwar is the one soul who stays with his old grandpa throughout the day taking care of him and doing other household work. I hadn’t imagined this extremely restless, funny little child had so much on his shoulders. But there he was, balancing responsibilities like a pro!

What happened as a result of this little experimentation was that I forgot it was an experiment and started appreciating his regard for humor. It wasn’t long after I had these interactions with him that he started making me laugh too. It was an unspeakable delight being a partner in crime rather than the self-made bitter target. All it took (in fact, something that is still in process) is a consistent reminder that humor is good, laughing is awesome, but it shouldn’t happen with an intention of hurting someone’s feelings. That idea has taken off quite well so far. Besides him making sure his humor is healthy, he’s also been bringing his caretaking skills to class. When you’re having your kids meditate in closing circle at the end of the day and their curious little brothers and sisters are peeping in through the door posing great threat to the much sought after tranquility in class, what could be better than having a savior tickle them into staying quietly outside?

*Names changed to protect identity