One Month Ventures: Lessons for all

There are some really awkward situations in life for which we have none but ourselves to blame. I have set up many such scenarios for myself as a result of my ‘Yes I can!’ or ‘Why can’t I?’ attitude. Of course, I have totally grown out of it but the ghosts of my embarrassing ventures in the past can be a lesson to all kids and parents. All of it is like the script of some underdog movie gone wrong- too early in the plot.

Dance with me

This happened when I was in Class IV. Our dance teacher at school had announced that he was going to organize dance classes at his house on Saturdays and Sundays. Since my house was just a few minutes away from his I was instantly interested. Enthused by my enthusiasm, my mother took me there and I was enrolled into the Saturday 8 am batch. In my excitement I had forgotten that it meant waking up early on a holiday. Also, the 9 year old dancer in me, who loved doing Urmila’s ‘Yaire Yaire’ was hugely disappointed with the ‘Ardhamandalam’, ‘Mudras’ and ‘Tha-Dhai-Dhi-Dhi-Dhai’ which mostly ended up as stamping sessions. At home I used to try the Ardhamandalam in front of the mirror- half sitting posture with knees turned sideways, hands firmly on the waist. At the end of one month I was convinced that I looked more like a frog, striking the pose. And that was how it ended.

The ‘Violinist’

This happened just one year after the dancing debacle. I was in Class 5 and we had to choose one of the many options available as part of CCA or Co-Curricular Activities. Since dance was out of the question, I opted for instrumental music. The teacher was one Mr. Mammooty. His fancy name and the fantastic instruments in the room caught my fancy and I was soon learning Violin. I enjoyed it for the first couple of weeks. The third week, I started experiencing pain in my left arm and neck. The fourth week I told Mammooty Sir that I wanted to learn drawing and not violin.

The Karate Kid

It was family TV viewing time and all of us were huddled on the sofa after supper. While flipping channels, my father stopped at Surya TV (or was it Asianet?) where a girl about my age, was doing jaw-dropping Kung Fu poses. All of us were hugely impressed. So it wasn’t difficult to get my parents’ approving nods for Karate Classes that were to commence ‘very soon’ at school. My parents gently reminded me about my earlier stints in ventures at school but I assured them that ‘this’ was ‘different’. ‘Huss’ and ‘Hi Ya’s’ began, so did running and a hundred other warm-up exercises. Too much for the fragile little 11 year old, this one came to an end even before the end of one month. (Trivia: Some of those who joined the classes with me are black belt holders now.)

In my case, I brought all of it upon myself, but I have seen unfortunate little kids put into such nasty situations by their over ambitious parents. Painting, dancing, singing, keyboard, karate and what not! So kiddos, if you are getting into something like it, be sure that you want to do it. If it isn’t your type, then fikar not, you can always quit! And parents, I just hope better sense prevails. Amen.