The Turning Point

"Very well class, the new word for today is: 'M-A-S-S-A-C-R-E.' Kanchana ma'am wrote down the word, letter by letter on the blackboard.

- Sarvamitra

"MASS-ACRE - Meaning lots of land?" Udaya scratched his head as he squinted at the word in front of him.

"Plural of MASCARA?" Nivi giggled. She was the fashionista of the class.

After coming up with no other meanings, the class turned to Kanchana ma'am for its actual meaning.

It was a routine of the class to come up with meanings, which they felt suited the word before they learned what the word meant.

Kanchana ma'am wanted her students to be able to think outside the box. She wanted them to learn new things about their surroundings and history. She felt that only textbook learning was no good.

"MASSACRE- means to kill in large numbers." She looked around, ensuring that the attention was on her. "To kill people who are unarmed and do not fight back."

The class fell silent. It was indeed a very deep word for the students and definitely not an everyday word, and not one for young minds.

"But why would anyone kill in such a manner? It is inhumane and unethical," Sachdev was the first one to recover from the enormity of the word.

"True, Sachdev. But, in real life, such incidents do happen," Kanchana ma'am said.

"If I come across an anthill and pour a bucket full of water on it, will it become a massacre? Or maybe if I kill freshlybloomed flowers for no reason, will it become a massacre?" Kirthi asked, trying to understand the word better.

Kanchana ma'am thought for a while.

"Technically, yes, you can call it that. But, generally for animals, insects and flowers too, we use the term 'Butcher' or 'Slaughter'. 'Massacre' is a term used mostly for human beings."

"Can you give us an example of such an incident, ma'am? I don't think people can do such things," Priya asked.

Kanchana ma'am closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She knew her class would ask this question and that was the reason she chose the word for today as well.