A BRIGHT INVENTOR!

Thomas Alva Edison was a great American inventor and businessman

- Harbans Singh

One of his most significant discoveries was the invention of the electric bulb.

This story takes us back to when he was a student in primary school.

His classmate Wilson, who sat beside him asked, "Are you new in this city?"

"Yes, we have recently come to Michigan state from Ohio," Alva replied.

"You look a little weak and sick," Wilson said, scanning from head to toe.

"Yes, I got a high fever and severe throat irritation at the moment I arrived in this new city. The doctor said it was scarlet fever, an infectious disease where a bright red rash appears on the full body. I also have trouble hearing from my left ear, for some reason," Alva explained.

Alva did not notice that his class teacher was observing him. "Have you come to a classroom or to a fair? Yesterday, I had made you memorise the tables of 13. Stand up and recite them! Quickly! Start reciting!"

The teacher's loud voice and blazing eyes shook him to the core. He was dazed.

Before he could collect himself, the teacher shouted again, "I knew it! You don't remember. Come, quickly recite a poem from the English book. I know you can't recite that too. You are a distracted boy!"

Young Alva forgot whatever he already knew. Dejected, he sat down and stared at the floor.

The next day, his teacher gave him a sealed envelope and said, "Carry this home carefully and give it to your mother or father. Don't forget!"