Learn a Language

Abha, a popular teacher among the students, had just started marking the attendance when Gurdeep complained in a crying voice, "Ma'am, look! Nidhi is calling me blind! Am I blind? I can even see beyond seven walls!" Gurdeep widened his eyes with his fingers.

- Harbans Singh

Nidhi patted Gurdeep's shoulder affectionately, laughed loudly, and said, "My friend, I called you anna, not blind. Anna in Tamil means elder brother."

"And in Punjabi, anna means blind. I'm sorry, Nidhi! I don't know Tamil, and you probably don't know Punjabi."

Everyone laughed hysterically.

"Children, International Translation Day is celebrated on September 30. See how the meaning changes completely without the correct translation? Well, tell me, how many languages does an ordinary Indian know at most?" Miss Abha asked.

Bhavna guessed, "People in India often know three languages: their mother tongue, Hindi, and English. Many people also know Sanskrit. But along with the 15 regional languages, Hindi and English are also on currency notes. Altogether, there are seventeen languages."

"Ma'am, what language do we use when we are angry and while dreaming? Or are there only images in dreams and no language at all?" Gurdeep asked.

Vrinda thought about it and said, "I think we get used to the language we use throughout the day. Perhaps that same language becomes the language for our anger and our dreams."

Nobody objected.

"Ma'am, I'll learn Chinese too," said Nitish, who was always serious.

"Why?" Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

"I can become a spy in China. I can work as an interpreter between the leaders of India and China. I would also be able to translate Chinese literature into Hindi."

Mohit asked loudly, "Well, Nitish, tell me how you say namaste in Mandarin?"