Old Page

 After the fine relaxing Sunday, he was finally ready to give a fresh start to his life. Monday Morning can be stressful to others, but for him, it was more like a brand new sun had risen just now fresh and he was literally singing for every moment that was passing by.

Just a month ago, it was all like a dream, being a school teacher, he was bored with the same faces, same books, and same chapters, then suddenly this great opportunity passed by him and he was brave enough to follow it and grab it. The principal of the city's elite school called him to his cabin. "Rakesh, How are you?", The old but experienced and wise Principal asked him.

"I am Good Sir. How are you? and How are your knees?", Rakesh reciprocated. He remembered Principal Sir had recently had a knee replacement operation. "I was thinking lately that the time has come for me to step down as a principal now!", Sir added, "It's almost been 25 years now, and Yes look at my age, I am getting older and older and Weaker in a similar fashion."

Rakesh was confused. Even He thought Principal sir didn't know him that well.  And here, sir was sharing the desire of his heart, and probably the biggest decision for the school. If Principal Sir retires, it will be like the end of an era. No doubt every teacher and staff loved, respected, and cared for their favorite principal but hearing about his retirement will break their heart. But what Rakesh was actually thinking about was,   ' Is there anyone really worthy to take place his seat in this cabin?' 

Breaking the silence Principal sir said, "Rakesh, I want you to take my place!" 

Rakesh was stunned. He couldn't believe in his own ears, he was constantly looking at Sir, and yet again sir responded to his blank face, "I know you have your own doubts about yourself but be sure, I am very clear with my decision!" "I have already forwarded your name to the management committee and they all are very considerate and very young too, just like you!" Principal Sir was very firm with the decision his assurance was quite clearly reflected in his eyes.

"Sir, but?" Rakesh was still in shock, "I don't even have enough teaching experience"

"So What? But you have new things to try, right? You have the courage to make things right! Am I wrong Rakesh?" Sir Responded.

" I had enough 30 years of teaching experience before I was appointed to this post and yet I struggled in the beginning.! I struggled for over a year, you might struggle for more than 1 year but I have confidence that you will handle this school better than me."

Rakesh was confused, shocked, shaken, and a little bit frightened. He wasn't expecting this in the first ten years of his journey in teaching. 

"I have seen your management skills and manpower handling and you are students' favorite teacher too! isn't it?" Sir was continuously talking.

Rakesh was just standing there without a word. All the words he wanted to speak were already running in his mind.

"There are far more experienced people are there out! Then why me? Did I do something special? No right? Then from where these all thoughts are coming into Principal Sir's mind?", Rakesh in his mind. He was preparing himself to face the difficult, complex, confusing, and frightening decision taken by Principal Sir.

Sir guessed correctly and again added to the conversation, " See Rakesh, it's not like you were my first choice for the job but I can assure you that you are not the worst choice." "Yes there are a lot more experienced people are there in our school but you know, all they have become 'old school' type teachers. I want someone, who can experiment and nurture the hidden gems in our students." Rakesh was just hearing. There was no full stop from Principal sir, "You all know how much I love this school and I know How much I love this school, hence I want the future of this school bright."

Rakesh finally dropped his silence, "But! Sir, What if I couldn't keep the school as neat as you kept it for 25 years? What if it became worse?" just like he was expecting Rakesh's question, he responded," Then what? Nobody is perfect, You will fail in the first year, definitely but why I am choosing you because I know you will learn from your mistakes and the next year the school will do better, and as soon as you learn from your mistakes and correct them, there will be a time when this school will be the best in the city!"

Rakesh added, "But the school is already the best in the city and you are handling it really nicely! Why change that then?" 

Sir Answered, " See, everything needs to change with time, when I took a position as principal, my predecessor, told me to keep the school as he kept it. But I want you to make it better. I cannot do it because I am not up to date with the trend. And me falling behind, indirectly means school is falling behind its time! And that my dear I don't want. I want my school to be up to date with the trends, and technologies! In short, I want our school to always be number one in the city!" He again added, " That is the reason I am choosing you, One day you have to turn the old page and start writing on the new one!"

Rakesh replied, "Understood!"

Sir was absolutely right in his point.

Old Pages can't keep the book filling! One day the page will end and at that particular time, we have to turn the page and start a new page! Just we have to identify the time when the page is to be turned!