Rohan, the class 6^th curious denizen was a bit of lost figure. Quite an irregular at the school he formed one of those averagely inclined class students. For him studying was a second nature, beside geography and his new found love with science, as a subject. He almost hated all the other subjects. But school being a …well! School, he had to thoroughly concentrate on whatever that was being taught to him in that sixth graders class. Among all the 54 students, he was rather infamous among the teachers and entire school for his inordinate and quirky ability to question.

So much so, his school teachers kept a keen eye on Rohan while they were teaching his class. The doubt that he might pose with an unanswerable query, always troubled most of his teacher. The very exception to this (teacher’s) behavior was one Mrs. Karve.  She was the school principal and also the language teacher.  For some reason she had her own unique ways of teaching.

Being recently appointed as the schools head, it took no time for her to familiarize herself about the boy studying in VI A of that school. She was personally curious to meet him.

On stepping into the class that day, it was her very first English lecture since being appointed in that school. The unfamiliar gaze of the students was met with a confident smile and was soon followed with an introduction. She introduced herself and later made each student, from the first row to the last, to spell out their full names. Rohan was sitting somewhere in the middle row on the second last bench.

Mrs.Karve made sure the lecture wasn’t going to abuzz with murmur and fish market chaos, with her hardened stare and commandingly fluent voice. From among the many chalks safely placed in the brown cardboard box, she picked up the green one. Breaking off a slight tip of the chalk she wrote some words on the teal coloured board.

‘Ce qui se concoit bien’s enonce clairement,

Et le mots pour le dire viennent aisement.’

Mrs. Karve turned towards the class, and waited for few seconds in silence, as if she was analyzing the reactions on each and everybody’s face. The students squinted long enough at the written word in pretence of deciphering something from them. But the arising silence proved otherwise.

After a thorough pause, Mrs. Karve gave out the meaning and was about to explain, when a raised hand caught her attention. Sure enough it was Rohan! All ready with his questioned look.

As like always, he posed a subtle enough question at Mrs. Karve. Her expression indicated that she wasn’t even surprised at his ‘out-of-context’ questioning. This was ‘in itself’ a surprise for most of the other students in that class!

The ringing school bell announced the end to that hour long lecture. It was the last lecture for that day. After the class, Mrs. Karve ordered Rohan to stay back, while others left the classroom. She wanted to discuss something with him, which was regarding the question he aroused during her English class.

She knew what this curious boy, studying in sixth standard, with unusual questioning ability; needed. It was books. He was in need of reading, lots of it. The school library was quite equipped for this purpose. Rohan was soon introduced to the infinite world of knowledge by her, in form of books. On Mrs. Karve’s recommendation, one of the particular book that Rohan was told to refer was ‘The Tree of Knowledge’.

It was easy for him to locate the book. With some help from the school librarian, browsing through the shelves proved to be quite a fun. He liked ‘Tree of knowledge’ so much that he became an avid reader after that. Rohan soon started frequenting the school library in search of more such treasures. In no time he became a familiar site at the library floor for the entire school.

Years flew by and Rohan passed out with an above average ranking. He went on for higher studies and earned his doctorate from an international university. In course of time he become engaged in his own work and got himself established as a writer. His love for reading transformed into writing, and the path he chose related to his enjoyment. Rohan enjoyed reading!

One particular day, at his office desk he came across a book. It was the same book;  ‘The Tree of Knowledge’, which he read during his school days. He was smiling and one colleague passing by was caught in utter surprise. Rohan seldom had a smiley face, especially when at his office. On inquiring about the author …Rohan was caught quite off guard. He loved the book, he had re-read it a couple of time but he never cared to look for the name of the author.

The book read – ‘Mrs K. Karve’ the author.

‘What is easy to conceive is clear to express,

Words to say it will come effortlessly.’

The above short fiction story is based on a painting by Helen Janow Miqueo from San Francisco, California.  At Short Story Book, we are happy to write a short fiction story based on her painting – Tree of Knowledge.