never listen with a predetermined notion

[Guest guest]

ARNAV AND THE MATHS TEACHER

 

 

A teacher teaching Maths to seven-year-old Arnav asked him, " If I give you one

apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have? " Within a few

seconds Arnav replied confidently, " Four! "

 

The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three). She was

disappointed. " Maybe the child did not listen properly, " she thought. She

repeated, " Arnav, listen carefully. If I give you one apple and one apple and

one apple, how many apples will you have? "

 

Arnav had seen the disappointment on his teacher's face. He calculated again on

his fingers. But within him he was also searching for the answer that will make

the teacher happy. His search for the answer was not for the correct one, but

the one that will make his teacher happy. This time hesitatingly he replied,

" Four… "

 

The disappointment stayed on the teacher's face. She remembered that Arnav liked

strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn't like apples and that is making him

loose focus. This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes

she asked, " If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry,

then how many you will have? "

 

Seeing the teacher happy, young Arnav calculated on his fingers again. There was

no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher. She wanted her new approach to

succeed. With a hesitating smile young Arnav enquired, " Three? "

 

The teacher now had a victorious smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted

to congratulate herself. But one last thing remained. Once again she asked him,

" Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you

have? "

 

Promptly Arnav answered, " Four! "

 

The teacher was aghast. " How Arnav, how? " she demanded in a little stern and

irritated voice.

 

In a voice that was low and hesitating young Arnav replied, " Because I already

have one apple in my bag. "

 

REFLECTION

 

When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect don't

think they are wrong.

 

There maybe an angle that you have not understood at all.

 

You will have to listen and understand, but never listen with a predetermined

notion.

8:28 AM 11/2/2009