TEACHER, YOU SEE NACHI!

This book by Amanda Lin is really very cute. It is chock full of anecdotes of the classroom in the old days, and chronicles too how some of the things have changed.

Really enjoyed reading this!

Let me just share with you an excerpt from the book ... "Teacher, you see Nachi!" ... also the title of the book ..

His full name was Nachiappan, but everyone called him Nachi. The year I taught him, I used to see him in my dreams and call out "Nachi!" in the wee hours of the morning. Just as I would in the classroom.

It was a class of eight-year olds. From day One, Nachi distinguished himself as an outstanding member.

He was a stocky, sturdy-looking little Indian boy who had boundless energy. I would make him stand at my table to do his work. If I turned for a moment to pick a pencil, Nachi was already in the back rows causing a ruckus, with several voices calling out, "Teacher, you see Nachi!"

"I only borrow ruler, Teacher," Nachi would answer, looking convincingly hurt.

The whites of Nachi's eyes and his gleaming teeth stood out against his dark skin. But what caused curious second looks from teachers and parents was Nachi's head. He had three crowns.

A crown is that part of the head from which hair radiates. Most of us have one, usually found on the top of our heads. Some of us have two. But three? Nachi had two crowns on the top of his head, like a pair of eyes staring at all and sundry. The third was positioned just above his widow's peak. His hair had to be kept short, a crew-cut, his mother told me, because it grew in all directions. I wanted to tell her her son was also to be found in all directions of the classroom.

He loved to disturb others at work.

"Teacher, you see Nachi!" and Nachi would be seen under the complainant's desk.

"Nachi, what are you doing under Zainuddin's desk?"

"Got mosquito, Teacher. I catch mosquito. Wait bite Zainuddin, so I kill mosquito!"

"Teacher, you see Nachi!" Nachi was opening someone's bag.

"Nachi!"

"I borrow his homework, Teacher. He said I take from his bag."

"I never said that!" protested the aggrieved party.

"Yes, you got say," Nachi looked at his classmate, a picture of injured innocence.

"Teacher, you see Nachi!"

I looked up, but Nachi was nowhere to be seen. Following the children's glances, I found him behind the cupboard.

"Nachi, what are you doing there?" He showed me some spiders in a matchbox.

The scariest time was when several children called out in unison. "Teacher, you see Nachi!" and I looked up to see Nachi climbing out of a window! The windows were large and opened outwards. I thanked my lucky stars that we were on the ground floor.

"Nachi, will you get down from that window! All of you there, quick, pull him down."

Nachi's answer to that caper?

"My money drop, Teacher. I get back my money."

Naturally, Nachi got to visit the principal's office more than anyone else in the school. Everytime the principal saw Nachi and his three crowns, his shout of "What - you again!" could be heard ringing along the corridors.

So funny ... don't you think?

Borrowed in from NIE library, CJ Koh Collection, LB 1025.3 Lin. You can join as an alumni external member for $50 plus gst, if you are from NTU or NIE before. Can borrow 3 books for 3 weeks. Need to bring IC photo plus photocopy of relevant dip/degree scroll. Can get card on the spot if they are not too busy. Within half an hour.

If you enjoyed this story ... drop me a line. Hehe.