February, 2001. I was in my Tenth standard. Second revision, English paper I. I was asked to write a summary on India’s famous victory at the Lord’s. Titled “The Cup of Joy” with a skyblue sketch pen the synopsis was for about ten pages in contrast to the original lesson which ran for only three. It was one of the most satisfying moments in the school life, When I came out of the exam hall.
Ten days later my English teacher distributed the answer papers in the classroom. I was given 6 on 10 for that essay. Three full pages were ripped off diagonally. Dejected. In the next few minutes, I was in the staff room.
‘What’s this?’ he asked , “The four West indies greats : Joel Garner, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall” I answered.
‘Not even mentioned in the book’
‘So what? They played’ was the reply.
I was such a maniac in school days.














