Gerald D'Cunha

I have told this story countless times during our PD sessions, particularly during the sessions on ‘Assertiveness’. What is so impressive about it is that, this story is ‘ageless’ in true sense. Not only, that it has been there as a folklore for hundreds of years, it also clicks with all the age-groups… the silver-haired, the young-eagles and, yes, the little angels. Yesterday, I told this tale to the little angels. I could so effortlessly convey the message I wanted to: “Honey, we should learn to be ‘assertive’ in life. Else, what happened to this cobra will surely happen to us.” Long time ago, in a village temple, there lived a Swami. The people from the village visited this temple daily to offer their prayers. On the way to this temple, there was a huge banyan tree, and under this tree, there lived a poisonous cobra. One day, while the children were playing near the tree, a small child stamped on the cobra and was bitten by the c...

“Sir, can I drink water?” seven-year old Harsha asked me. “Okay sweethearts, I will give you two minutes, all of you drink water from your bottles,” I declared. “Sir, I have not brought water,” said little Shristi wearing a sad face. “Sir, I also,” nine-year-old Ritesh’s hand went up. “Well, my darlings, you were supposed to bring… Didn’t you know that? I asked lovingly. “Sorry sir,” both, Shristi and Ritesh murmured tamely. “Don’t worry, Bunty will share with you Ritesh,” I announced, “and, Sheeba will share with you Shristi.” “Sir, see,”  Bunty began to complain, “Ritesh is finishing the entire bottle!” “Ritesh beta , you can not do that… Bunty had helped you by sharing his water… and, how can you hurt him by finishing his entire bottle?” I reminded the little brat. “Sir,” six-year-old Seema’s hand went up. “Yes, dear,” I encouraged bubbly Seema to say what she wanted to. “Sir, that is not good manne...