I had learnt few bad words ( I did not know what they meant) of the regional language "Telugu". I had a friend, R.S., whom I trusted the most.

My class was having its playground time. The physical fitness teacher was having us jump and jog, while R.S. was pushing kids form behind, so that the kid falls when he jumps. I caught his hand, only to recieve a punch on my chin, with his ring-studded fist, which tore my chin, with blood gushing out. As the teacher came to stop the fight (ha ha), I scolded the teacher for being so slow and letting all this happen. I used some foul words on R.S. & swore that "I 'll KILL him (R.S.)"

I refused first aid till the teacher ackwoledges the situation. I was asked to give a written statement about the whole situation. I wrote a short angry letter. The letter went to the head of my school, who did not decide what to do, instead sent it to the Head of the Institution.

The head of Institution came to the class the following week. He asked for me, and asked: "Why did you swear?" And I replied: "I was in pain..so became angry."

Following is something that does not happen usually in Indian Schools. He started to hit me, but I was running around....Later I was asked to see him in his office. He had a cane (stick) in his cruel hands, and asked me to swear at him, because he is going to whip me. He whipped me, till the cane broke.

I silently took the pain ( remember..I was copying Gandhi). As I walked out of his office, I saw all the teachers lined outside in tears! I did not understand why all were silent.

The same night, the principal came to my house, and apologized to my parents and me. My school & town was talking about this for quite sometime. The following year, the principal left the school.

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