"True help" from Father

It was the result day for my first monthly test in the 6th grade. I had passed all subjects, scoring 286 out of 500 (57.2%) and securing the 16th rank in my class, barely passing in English. High school felt so much tougher than elementary school, especially English and Math, which seemed like insurmountable challenges because I struggled to memorize easily. Despite my fear and apprehension, I needed to get my progress card signed by my father, a poor weaver who had only studied up to the 2nd grade but deeply understood the importance of education. With trembling hands and a fearful mind filled with excuses, I showed him my progress card.

After two minutes of silence, he signed the card and simply advised, "Do you think high school is difficult? It's not. Everything is easy if you understand it. And you are going to pass 10th grade with the highest marks in the school. So next time, aim to score better than these marks. Okay?"

I never expected that. I just nodded my head, refraining from justifying myself with the countless reasons I had in mind. I thought it was his naive innocence to believe that I could be the top rank holder in school. I had only once been first in elementary school, and high school seemed far more challenging.

But I liked the target he set for me—just to score better than my previous marks. It seemed achievable, and I felt confident. He encouraged me to compete with myself, not with anyone else. Every time he signed my progress card, he would tell me the same story about becoming the first rank holder.

He taught me yoga and meditation, which improved my understanding and memory.
For improving English knowledge, After spending an entire day with me in streets of Madurai, he bought some basic English grammar books from old bookstores in platforms.

Things began to improve. By 9th grade, I ranked 5th, but he still told the same story whenever he signed my progress card.

In 10th grade, after the first monthly test, I got 3rd rank in class. My next target was challenging, but my confidence had grown over the past four years. A miracle happened in the next monthly test—I got 1st rank. From then on, I consistently ranked first in all exams and small tests throughout the year.

Public examinations were over, and the results were published at school.

The scores for my two most challenging subjects were: English: 92 (98 in English Paper I) , Math: 100

Excited, I rushed home. My father wasn’t there, so I informed my mother and got Rs. 50 to give a ice cream treat to close friends. As we walked to the ice cream store, I met my father returning with a kerosene can from the ration store. I told him, "Appa, I am the school first. I scored 476 out of 500 (95.2%)."

He didn't show much surprise, just smiled in his usual way and said, "The mark is low. I expected more. But okay. Next year, do better. Congratulations, pa. Come home safely after your treat." Then he walked on casually but with pride.

After giving that ice cream treat, I came home and was amazed by the unwavering trust my father had in me and  I remembered the Thirukural:

"தந்தை மகற்கு ஆற்றும் நன்றி
அவையத்து முந்தி யிருப்பச் செயல்"

• Thirukural 067

This means, "The benefit which a father confers on his son is precedence in the assembly of the learned."

Yes, he made me the first rank holder in that school from the 16th rank. He passed away the next year when I was 16. He didn't leave me any physical wealth but made me a person capable of creating wealth and living in this challenging world. That is the true gift from a father to a son. Thank you, Dad! 🙏

Respect to all the fathers who care so much for their children.