[A kids story by Mrs. Dinavahi Satyavathi]
Rajaram’s house is buzzing with activity as his son, daughter-in-law and grandson Satyam, came to India, after almost five years, from Singapore.
Two houses away from Rajaram’s house, Sukumaran, Janaki live with their son’s family. Sukumaran also have a grandson, Sivam.
Satyam is studying in English medium in Singapore. Since his parents speak mostly English at home, Satyam could not learn his mother tongue.
Sivam goes to a school, in which his mother tongue is the medium of instruction.
Both Satyam and Sivam are of same age and are in the same class and their mother tongue is also same.
One day, sitting in the verandah of his grandfather’s house, Satyam is watching, some boys playing in the playground near to his house.
Among those boys Sivam also there. An amiable and sociable boy who easily bonds with others and has an inclusive nature, Sivam had already heard about Satyam from his grandfather Sukumaran.
While playing with friends Sivam saw that Satyam is keenly watching them. He approached Satyam and said, “Come and play with us” (in his mother tongue)
Generally shy natured Satyam did not immediately respond to Sivam.
‘May be he could not understand what I said as I spoke to him in my mother tongue’, thinking that he said again, “Come we all will play together (in English)”, extending the invitation.
Warmth in Sivam’s gesture made Satyam comfortable and he happily joined him.
Sivam formally introduced Satyam to his other friends. Children liked the friendly nature of Satyam and soon made friends with him. All of them played for a long time.
During a short break (in play), all friends gathered at one place and started gossiping.
But Satyam sat silently listening to them as he could not understand a bit of it.
Sivam saw that and started translating their conversation to English for him.
Sivam’s fluency in English language surprised Satyam.
After some time, Sivam went inside the house and came out with some books. Distributing the books among friends he said, “My grandfather told me to gift these story books to all of you”.
Sivam gave one story book to Satyam also.
With great enthusiasm children received the books, glanced inside curiously, thanked Sivam and left.
Though Satyam does not know how to read the story book which is not in English, took the book and thanked Sivam.
Holding the book, Satyam went straight to his grandfather and said, “Grandpa, see this”
“What’s this?” taking the book into his hands asked Rajaram.
“This is a story book, Sivam gave me. All my friends read a story from this and happily discussed some stories, you know?” said Satyam.
Rajaram sensed hidden disappointment in Satyam’s voice, which presumably conveyed, ‘Had I known my mother tongue, I would also have read and enjoyed it’
Satyam continued saying, “Grandpa, do you know, though Sivam is not studying in English medium he speaks it very fluently”
“Yes, I also heard that his command over English language is very good. Shall I tell you one more interesting thing, those who learn their mother tongue, can learn any other language very easily”
“Really grandpa?” Satyam looked unbelievingly and said, “Then why mom and dad say like that…” he stopped midsentence.
Rajaram did not poke further because, though born and brought up here in India, his son and daughter-in-law (Satyam’s parents), many a times expressed the view that learning mother tongue is of no use, instead learning English benefits everyone in many ways.
Rajaram sighed deeply, changed the topic and asked, “Do you really want to learn your mother tongue?”
Though Rajaram’s education stopped at primary level, he gained lot of knowledge thru reading books. He is an avid book reader.
“Yes Grandpa, I want to learn my mother tongue and want to read the story books and enjoy, like my friends”
“Oh! that’s really good, so when do you want to start?”
“From tomorrow itself. I will tell mom and dad about it today. You know that I have still one more month holidays. Till then I will learn from Sivam. After that anyhow you are coming with us to Singapore, right, there you can continue teaching me” said Satyam beaming with joy.
After that, with great interest and concentration, Satyam learned his mother tongue, evening times from Sivam regularly. During day time, when Sivam was in school, he revised it with grandfather.
By the end of the month, Satyam learned to read and write sentences in his mother tongue.
One day, when Satyam read out a story to his friends (from the story book gifted by Sivam), received their compliments.
Before returning from vacation, Satyam thanked Sivam profoundly, for teaching him mother tongue. Even after returning to Singapore, Satyam continued learning mother tongue and mastered it within no time.
Satyam continued reading and enjoying the stories, not only from the book gifted by Sivam but also from other books, gifted by his grandfather. Thus book reading has become Satyam’s favourite habit.
శ్రీమతి దినవహి సత్యవతి రచయిత్రి, అనువాదకురాలు, వ్యాసకర్త. తెలుగు, హిందీ, ఆంగ్లం భాషలలో విస్తృతంగా రచనలు చేశారు. గళ్ళ నుడికట్టు పజిల్స్ నిర్వాహకురాలు.