My attempt at Wadi Bashing

MY ATTEMPT AT WADI BASHING The lockdown has been getting to me – I had been stuck inside the house for the last few months – not going to work – not going shopping – not going to church – no more mall strolling -no more visits to our favourite Marks and Spencer! I was going crazy. I had stifled the impulse to make a break for it and just go out and to hell with everything else – however, better sense had prevailed. Better to be, as they say – six feet apart (or more) than six feet under. And then- the authorities had said “stay home” so who was I to break the rules and all that …… So yesterday – yes just yesterday, the entire lockdown was lifted, and I decided this was it. Enough of being stuck at home. I guessed that even my poor vehicle was getting bored. So, I did what I had contemplated doing for the last month or so – phoned a good friend at around two pm and asked him if he would like to go for a long drive at around four. He is quite the adventurous type and it did not take much convincing. He was up for it. (Thank you- Neville and Susan Darukhanawala for planting this seed in my head). You are always planting something or the other. So, leaving the wives back home to cook dinner, we set off down the winding mountain road to Fujairah. I had traversed this road umpteen times so knew it like the back of my hand. It was an exhilarating drive to say the very least – great car, smooth road, sun roof open , cool breeze ,not much traffic ,good company , music blaring – oh for the wide open spaces . A sudden madness overcame us as we were on the road – why don’t we try some ‘wadi bashing’ ? Now I had heard about this – had a faint idea what it was about but had never tried it before. I guess I am not the adventurous type. Maybe scared of getting lost? Got lost as a kid once - but that is another story. If you are in the Middle east or have visited one of the countries here, you would, most probably have had one of these experiences. Everyone has been wadi bashing except me! Today was the day thought I! For the uninitiated, Wadi bashing is an experience to cherish and they say, you must do it at least once. So listen to what Google says …. d “A Wadi is a dried up river bed, that exposes the natural sediment of the seasonal flowing water including rocks, tree stumps, small pools of water and mud. The seasonal flow of water and floods, as with all rivers, carves a course through rocky terrains in its bid to travel through the valley. This has been happening for thousands of years, so the process is never ending and will obviously widen and deepen and change the Wadi’s look and feel each time the process happens.” For successful wadi-bashing, you need a four-wheel drive and I was sure my Land Cruiser was up to it”. Pulling out the throttle, you race along the wadis, making a run at the dunes. Some dunes are pretty enormous & can dwarf a three-story building. Lying between them are the wadis, old water courses-extremely dry and parched for most of the year. When it rains , they flood, and men and animals parched for water have drowned in the fast flowing water The bashing isn’t when you hit the wadis but when you top the dunes, a bone-jarring experience. I was a trifle apprehensive but decided that the adventure was worth it. Turning off the road and with a little help from my trusted GPS, we were soon off the main highway and “somewhere in the desert”. The area was obviously deserted, the road rough and sloping and a trifle disconcerting. It was around five in the evening and with a few hours of daylight remaining, we were sure we would have our little adventure and get back home to a yummy dinner by around nine. Oh, to be out of the house. Started imagining I was a carefree bachelor! Soon we were face to face with a lovely little stream. Cool flowing water beckoned and seeing another few vehicle there, we stopped to take in the scenery and to obviously click some Instagram able worthy photographs! We took off our shoes, waded into the water, splashed around, chatted with the people there – plenty of laughter etc. Not one to reject a hot cup of tea – we were delighted to be offered tea and snacks from people we had met just fifteen minutes ago. That is Dubai for you. We were having a swell time. One by one the others campers left, while we went around the area clicking snaps of the setting sun, I have often imagined myself as some sort of a photographer- just wishful thinking! By around seven we decided to start the journey back, so getting into the vehicle and full of energy after the refreshing evening, we set off. Strangely in the dusk, the whole terrain suddenly looked very different. My GPS was going around in circles and somehow there was no signal. The same with our phones. Should we be worried – no. We set off climbing up the trail- it was a slow bumpy drive but comparatively safe. After around a kilometer or so, we realized that we had emerged on to flat land but had somehow mysteriously gone deeper into the desert . It was now pitch black and the only light was that of the headlights of my car. The land around was rocky with a few tumbleweeds and rough tracks before me. The arid smell of the dry baked earth coupled with the grit in my mouth did nothing to make me feel confident. It did not help that our phones were still dead. I did not know whether I was imagining it, but I hoped I was not getting dehydrated as our supply of water got over a little after we reached earlier in the evening, and we had not had a sip for the last few hours. I guess that is what inexperience does. We had not planned this well enough. Both of us were so confused and began arguing as to whose fault this was. It seemed silly to be arguing in such a situation but when you are hungry, thirsty, lost and its pitch black, arguments are bound to happen. Did I mention that I was the only one who could drive? I was racked by an insatiable thirst. This was bad and getting worse. Was I trembling? Then just before I passed out, I woke – reached for the bottle near my bedside – drank a few large sips – turned over and went to sleep again No more wadi bashing for me.

My attempt at Wadi Bashing

MY ATTEMPT AT WADI BASHING The lockdown has been getting to me – I had been stuck inside the house for the last few months – not going to work – not going shopping – not going to church – no more mall strolling -no more visits to our favourite Marks and Spencer! I was going crazy. I had stifled the impulse to make a break for it and just go out and to hell with everything else – however, better sense had prevailed. Better to be, as they say – six feet apart (or more) than six feet under. And then- the authorities had said “stay home” so who was I to break the rules and all that …… So yesterday – yes just yesterday, the entire lockdown was lifted, and I decided this was it. Enough of being stuck at home. I guessed that even my poor vehicle was getting bored. So, I did what I had contemplated doing for the last month or so – phoned a good friend at around two pm and asked him if he would like to go for a long drive at around four. He is quite the adventurous type and it did not take much convincing. He was up for it. (Thank you- Neville and Susan Darukhanawala for planting this seed in my head). You are always planting something or the other. So, leaving the wives back home to cook dinner, we set off down the winding mountain road to Fujairah. I had traversed this road umpteen times so knew it like the back of my hand. It was an exhilarating drive to say the very least – great car, smooth road, sun roof open , cool breeze ,not much traffic ,good company , music blaring – oh for the wide open spaces . A sudden madness overcame us as we were on the road – why don’t we try some ‘wadi bashing’ ? Now I had heard about this – had a faint idea what it was about but had never tried it before. I guess I am not the adventurous type. Maybe scared of getting lost? Got lost as a kid once - but that is another story. If you are in the Middle east or have visited one of the countries here, you would, most probably have had one of these experiences. Everyone has been wadi bashing except me! Today was the day thought I! For the uninitiated, Wadi bashing is an experience to cherish and they say, you must do it at least once. So listen to what Google says …. d “A Wadi is a dried up river bed, that exposes the natural sediment of the seasonal flowing water including rocks, tree stumps, small pools of water and mud. The seasonal flow of water and floods, as with all rivers, carves a course through rocky terrains in its bid to travel through the valley. This has been happening for thousands of years, so the process is never ending and will obviously widen and deepen and change the Wadi’s look and feel each time the process happens.” For successful wadi-bashing, you need a four-wheel drive and I was sure my Land Cruiser was up to it”. Pulling out the throttle, you race along the wadis, making a run at the dunes. Some dunes are pretty enormous & can dwarf a three-story building. Lying between them are the wadis, old water courses-extremely dry and parched for most of the year. When it rains , they flood, and men and animals parched for water have drowned in the fast flowing water The bashing isn’t when you hit the wadis but when you top the dunes, a bone-jarring experience. I was a trifle apprehensive but decided that the adventure was worth it. Turning off the road and with a little help from my trusted GPS, we were soon off the main highway and “somewhere in the desert”. The area was obviously deserted, the road rough and sloping and a trifle disconcerting. It was around five in the evening and with a few hours of daylight remaining, we were sure we would have our little adventure and get back home to a yummy dinner by around nine. Oh, to be out of the house. Started imagining I was a carefree bachelor! Soon we were face to face with a lovely little stream. Cool flowing water beckoned and seeing another few vehicle there, we stopped to take in the scenery and to obviously click some Instagram able worthy photographs! We took off our shoes, waded into the water, splashed around, chatted with the people there – plenty of laughter etc. Not one to reject a hot cup of tea – we were delighted to be offered tea and snacks from people we had met just fifteen minutes ago. That is Dubai for you. We were having a swell time. One by one the others campers left, while we went around the area clicking snaps of the setting sun, I have often imagined myself as some sort of a photographer- just wishful thinking! By around seven we decided to start the journey back, so getting into the vehicle and full of energy after the refreshing evening, we set off. Strangely in the dusk, the whole terrain suddenly looked very different. My GPS was going around in circles and somehow there was no signal. The same with our phones. Should we be worried – no. We set off climbing up the trail- it was a slow bumpy drive but comparatively safe. After around a kilometer or so, we realized that we had emerged on to flat land but had somehow mysteriously gone deeper into the desert . It was now pitch black and the only light was that of the headlights of my car. The land around was rocky with a few tumbleweeds and rough tracks before me. The arid smell of the dry baked earth coupled with the grit in my mouth did nothing to make me feel confident. It did not help that our phones were still dead. I did not know whether I was imagining it, but I hoped I was not getting dehydrated as our supply of water got over a little after we reached earlier in the evening, and we had not had a sip for the last few hours. I guess that is what inexperience does. We had not planned this well enough. Both of us were so confused and began arguing as to whose fault this was. It seemed silly to be arguing in such a situation but when you are hungry, thirsty, lost and its pitch black, arguments are bound to happen. Did I mention that I was the only one who could drive? I was racked by an insatiable thirst. This was bad and getting worse. Was I trembling? Then just before I passed out, I woke – reached for the bottle near my bedside – drank a few large sips – turned over and went to sleep again No more wadi bashing for me.

My beloved country .

Sad and worrying to see India racing up the Covid ladder . Yes we have a massive population too so the number may not exactly be accurate. Nevertheless, this one race I do hope they don't win because it will be catastrophic. A while ago I read that the country was in the top ten in the world and was concerned like everyone else for the teeming millions who live below the poverty line. Now to suddenly be at number four with the infections on the rise daily, is seriously alarming. What was with all the sensless drama of lighting candles, banging utensils, clapping hands and shouting Go Covid go? While most of the world was already taking preventative measures, our beloved country was indulging in these trivial and rather laughable gimmicks. People who had no water to drink were being advised to wash their hands as many times a day as possible. Ten to fifteen people living together in tiny rooms, in unhygienic slums, were being advised to main social distancing. Good nd necessary advice but how? Then there was the rather callous lockdown announcement by the government, with just a four hour warning . Obviously someone somewhere suddenly had a eureka moment . How wise was that ? Whose idea was it ? Was that the best they could do ? Once again, correct decision but poor planning . No planning in fact , no thoughts , no foreseeing potential problems. That announcement took everyone by utter surprise and sent shock waves through the entire nation. Mayhem ensued and it was pandemonium personified. Rather than rationalise and take steps to remedy the impending crisis ,all and sundry jumped on the ' let's find a scapegoat bandwagon'. The press and the Television channels had a field day and compounded the problem. It was then a calamity waiting to happen and happen it did. Weeks later, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers began leaving the cities and walking back to their villages. There were no jobs, no money and they were frustrated and terrified. No one advised them , helped them, or arranged any sort of transportation. So, as expected , we had men women and children attempting to walk thousands of kilometres in slippers , many bare footed , braving the inclement weather, hunger, thirst and sickness along the way. No one is mentioning as to how many died during those arduous journeys , how many women were probably molested or raped, how many children were lost or kidnapped and mind you , all that must surely have happened. Then we heard that trains and buses were arranged. Once again , insufficient planning saw thousands clamouring for elusive seats. Trains set out for one destination and reached elsewhere. Buses took people half way and then made them walk. It must surely have been survival of the fittest and I don't want to even fathom a guess as to the suffering that ensued. One silver lining amidst the squalor and the dark clouds were the good samaritans who handed out food and water. Heartening to see. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians all united and did their best. That would definitely have alleviated some of the misery. However, it was not enough. Everyone knows that. Don't forget , cyclones, floods, earthquakes , rain and locusts made things worse. Thankfully no direct blame could be apportioned for nature's fury. Then there is China- determined to make its presence felt one way or the other . Today ,as the conditions worsen , hospital beds are scarce in most cities and there is tension , apprehension and utter fear gripping the entire nation. Where beds are available, the costs are prohibitive. It's about time politicians and bureaucrats stopped the blame game and their petty power squabbles and everyone who matters came together to fight this menace. DO IT NOW. It's never too late . This is certainly NOT THE TIME for ruling party vs opposition . It's a time for wisdom and unity in the face of the storm . Let's not blame one person or a few people. That's pathetic. There are many recoveries as well so fingers crossed . I just pray better sense prevails . I guess today we all need to pray for our beloved country . We are all in this together.

My beloved country .

Sad and worrying to see India racing up the Covid ladder . Yes we have a massive population too so the number may not exactly be accurate. Nevertheless, this one race I do hope they don't win because it will be catastrophic. A while ago I read that the country was in the top ten in the world and was concerned like everyone else for the teeming millions who live below the poverty line. Now to suddenly be at number four with the infections on the rise daily, is seriously alarming. What was with all the sensless drama of lighting candles, banging utensils, clapping hands and shouting Go Covid go? While most of the world was already taking preventative measures, our beloved country was indulging in these trivial and rather laughable gimmicks. People who had no water to drink were being advised to wash their hands as many times a day as possible. Ten to fifteen people living together in tiny rooms, in unhygienic slums, were being advised to main social distancing. Good nd necessary advice but how? Then there was the rather callous lockdown announcement by the government, with just a four hour warning . Obviously someone somewhere suddenly had a eureka moment . How wise was that ? Whose idea was it ? Was that the best they could do ? Once again, correct decision but poor planning . No planning in fact , no thoughts , no foreseeing potential problems. That announcement took everyone by utter surprise and sent shock waves through the entire nation. Mayhem ensued and it was pandemonium personified. Rather than rationalise and take steps to remedy the impending crisis ,all and sundry jumped on the ' let's find a scapegoat bandwagon'. The press and the Television channels had a field day and compounded the problem. It was then a calamity waiting to happen and happen it did. Weeks later, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers began leaving the cities and walking back to their villages. There were no jobs, no money and they were frustrated and terrified. No one advised them , helped them, or arranged any sort of transportation. So, as expected , we had men women and children attempting to walk thousands of kilometres in slippers , many bare footed , braving the inclement weather, hunger, thirst and sickness along the way. No one is mentioning as to how many died during those arduous journeys , how many women were probably molested or raped, how many children were lost or kidnapped and mind you , all that must surely have happened. Then we heard that trains and buses were arranged. Once again , insufficient planning saw thousands clamouring for elusive seats. Trains set out for one destination and reached elsewhere. Buses took people half way and then made them walk. It must surely have been survival of the fittest and I don't want to even fathom a guess as to the suffering that ensued. One silver lining amidst the squalor and the dark clouds were the good samaritans who handed out food and water. Heartening to see. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians all united and did their best. That would definitely have alleviated some of the misery. However, it was not enough. Everyone knows that. Don't forget , cyclones, floods, earthquakes , rain and locusts made things worse. Thankfully no direct blame could be apportioned for nature's fury. Then there is China- determined to make its presence felt one way or the other . Today ,as the conditions worsen , hospital beds are scarce in most cities and there is tension , apprehension and utter fear gripping the entire nation. Where beds are available, the costs are prohibitive. It's about time politicians and bureaucrats stopped the blame game and their petty power squabbles and everyone who matters came together to fight this menace. DO IT NOW. It's never too late . This is certainly NOT THE TIME for ruling party vs opposition . It's a time for wisdom and unity in the face of the storm . Let's not blame one person or a few people. That's pathetic. There are many recoveries as well so fingers crossed . I just pray better sense prevails . I guess today we all need to pray for our beloved country . We are all in this together.

Shopping alone

A few days ago I was I thinking back to the first day I drove my car after getting my license in 2001 – I wanted to go from our house in Al Diyafah to St Mary’s church but as I was about to turn towards the church I saw two big vehicles speeding behind me – Got so nervous that I kept going straight on the main Dubai – Sharjah highway as I was not sure where the various Exits would take me . Finally reached Sharjah – took the roundabout I was familiar with and came straight back home! Now however I am a good driver – WITH GPS. I am quite bad on direction and not proud of it. I must tell you a story – I have a colleague in one of our schools who once offered to take a friend and me for breakfast. We were so happy when we set off in his car. We were about to reach the hotel off Sh Zayed Road when suddenly he got all confused and entered a NO ENTRY lane! Luckily, it was a Friday, if not it could have been very dangerous with heavy traffic. He then managed to back out slowly and with difficulty, while blaming me for giving him the wrong direction WHICH I DID NOT. He denies any wrongdoing and that makes me laugh. Two vehicles coming in the opposite direction missed banging into us- one driver muttered under his breath and thought we were mad ,while the other made a strange gesture with his hand and laughed at us with his window down . We were awfully embarrassed. ( I can’t give you that person’s name as he made me promise I would never tell anyone ) . How he never saw a LARGE, RED, NO ENTRY board beats me to this day. Now everyone knows that you usually do not change hairdressers, doctors, dentists, tailors etc. It is just not done. I know that too, but for convenience sake, two weeks ago I went to a newly opened saloon near my house, to have a haircut as my hair was so long -it was flowing down my back. Now I speak English and Hindi – unfortunately, the barber did not know both and spoke some other language. I was also wearing a tight mask and my hands were trapped under the plastic cape, hence giving instructions was difficult. So, I said a prayer and made signs with my eyes to him to cut my hair. Not sure what he understood but he used a machine, was very swift & by the time he finished, I was almost bald. He was beaming as if he had just made some big discovery. He then tried to tell me in sign language that he would massage my head. I jumped up off the chair in panic not knowing what he would do with my head next. Yes, I tipped him, nevertheless. Have you noticed how gradually our wants have all but vanished? – Suddenly for months I have not felt the need to buy clothes, shoes, ties, go to the mall etc – it’s a saving as well. Our basic needs remain and there too I see that there is less wastage! I think this is so good for us and the world. Something else- - Have you noticed how we seem to use more trash bags here that in our home countries? We must make a concerted effort NOT TO WASTE ANYTHING. This morning at 7 am I went shopping for groceries – ALONE. I love to do grocery shopping alone. When I go with others (read wife) we seem to spend far too much time walking through the aisles, staring at items on the shelf, discussing, getting tempted and buying unnecessary things. Before we set out, a list is prepared, and I am told not to pick up non listed items as I am sometimes apt to do. Then, as we are about to leave the house, she goes back in to check that the gas is turned off, then the iron or the Ac as well. We are already out of the front door & I press the button for the lift which is just opposite our entrance – then I am asked to go in again to check that the cat has not been locked out on the balcony or some such trivial stuff . I am already tired, irritated & frustrated and we often drive in silence! We reach the supermarket and before I know it, we have a trolley full of stuff – much of which was not in the list in the first place. No, I am not to blame – sorry, it’s not me. Shopping? I love it – ALONE!!

Shopping alone

A few days ago I was I thinking back to the first day I drove my car after getting my license in 2001 – I wanted to go from our house in Al Diyafah to St Mary’s church but as I was about to turn towards the church I saw two big vehicles speeding behind me – Got so nervous that I kept going straight on the main Dubai – Sharjah highway as I was not sure where the various Exits would take me . Finally reached Sharjah – took the roundabout I was familiar with and came straight back home! Now however I am a good driver – WITH GPS. I am quite bad on direction and not proud of it. I must tell you a story – I have a colleague in one of our schools who once offered to take a friend and me for breakfast. We were so happy when we set off in his car. We were about to reach the hotel off Sh Zayed Road when suddenly he got all confused and entered a NO ENTRY lane! Luckily, it was a Friday, if not it could have been very dangerous with heavy traffic. He then managed to back out slowly and with difficulty, while blaming me for giving him the wrong direction WHICH I DID NOT. He denies any wrongdoing and that makes me laugh. Two vehicles coming in the opposite direction missed banging into us- one driver muttered under his breath and thought we were mad ,while the other made a strange gesture with his hand and laughed at us with his window down . We were awfully embarrassed. ( I can’t give you that person’s name as he made me promise I would never tell anyone ) . How he never saw a LARGE, RED, NO ENTRY board beats me to this day. Now everyone knows that you usually do not change hairdressers, doctors, dentists, tailors etc. It is just not done. I know that too, but for convenience sake, two weeks ago I went to a newly opened saloon near my house, to have a haircut as my hair was so long -it was flowing down my back. Now I speak English and Hindi – unfortunately, the barber did not know both and spoke some other language. I was also wearing a tight mask and my hands were trapped under the plastic cape, hence giving instructions was difficult. So, I said a prayer and made signs with my eyes to him to cut my hair. Not sure what he understood but he used a machine, was very swift & by the time he finished, I was almost bald. He was beaming as if he had just made some big discovery. He then tried to tell me in sign language that he would massage my head. I jumped up off the chair in panic not knowing what he would do with my head next. Yes, I tipped him, nevertheless. Have you noticed how gradually our wants have all but vanished? – Suddenly for months I have not felt the need to buy clothes, shoes, ties, go to the mall etc – it’s a saving as well. Our basic needs remain and there too I see that there is less wastage! I think this is so good for us and the world. Something else- - Have you noticed how we seem to use more trash bags here that in our home countries? We must make a concerted effort NOT TO WASTE ANYTHING. This morning at 7 am I went shopping for groceries – ALONE. I love to do grocery shopping alone. When I go with others (read wife) we seem to spend far too much time walking through the aisles, staring at items on the shelf, discussing, getting tempted and buying unnecessary things. Before we set out, a list is prepared, and I am told not to pick up non listed items as I am sometimes apt to do. Then, as we are about to leave the house, she goes back in to check that the gas is turned off, then the iron or the Ac as well. We are already out of the front door & I press the button for the lift which is just opposite our entrance – then I am asked to go in again to check that the cat has not been locked out on the balcony or some such trivial stuff . I am already tired, irritated & frustrated and we often drive in silence! We reach the supermarket and before I know it, we have a trolley full of stuff – much of which was not in the list in the first place. No, I am not to blame – sorry, it’s not me. Shopping? I love it – ALONE!!

School life. BHS Allahabad

HAVE NEVER TOLD THIS STORY BEFORE........ Was just thinking - I am not very good at dates . I often forget birthdays , anniversaries & important milestones . At times I have been asked " do you know what today's date is" or " don't you remember this date " Unfortunately I don't and that has upset some very good friends ! ( Sorry ) Maybe that is why I was not good in History where memorising dates was mandatory. While at The Boy's High school, in Allahabad, I was taught History by a gentleman - let's call him Mr X . A great teacher though a trifle strict . Now History was not my pet subject and I had very little interest when a certain king was born , when he died , when he conquered a particular place , when the war started and when it ended . I saw no use to even try and remember the same. However these were all part and parcel of the subject and hence my marks hovered around 60 % or less - never more ! In our final year in school- Grade 11 ISC back then, the pattern was long answer questions in the examinations - and when I say long I mean really mean L O N G ! Mr X had a strange way of correcting the scripts . There were around 15 of us in the class . So this was the method . You did the exam - Mr X took in the scrips. The next day during the History period he returned with them . Now this is where the fun began - the scrips were then distributed at random by him . However if you received your own script you had to exchange with someone else . Then you read out the answer from the script you had and everyone in the class supposedly paid attention . The class was then asked to vote as to how much the answer deserved out of a maximum of ten . Depending on what he heard , that was the mark given- give or take a half mark here or there . Somehow, this worked well but it gave me an idea which I shared with a few others . I then decided to put my devious plan in place is an attempt to score high. This was the idea which seemed pretty straight forward at that time . On the day the scripts were being distributed for reading , I wrote out a fresh script at home and brought it along . I had managed to get hold of blank answer scripts earlier but that is a different story . I then kept an eye out as to who was given my script for reading. All I had to do thereafter was simply hand him the new script that I had written out and pocket the original one . The deed done I waited with bated breath . When my answer was read out by another pupil , it was perfect for obvious reasons . I looked as casual and composed as possible. A trifle smug as well . Although Mr X often dozed while the scripts were being read out he was apparently alert . At times he read the newspapers too but I guess this was a ploy . When the class was asked to rate my script , there was a unanimous 9/10 followed by a few guffaws. Boys will be boys. Mr X smelt a rat and was instantly awake . He looked around the class and his eyes met mine - he scowled - he smiled . It was an evil smile . I was caught for sure . I was asked as to how I had written such a brilliant answer - perfect to the Tee . I mumbled something about learning it well. This excuse didn't carry much weight The pupil who read it out was asked if he had read out the same script given to him by Mr X . To save his skin , he instantly denied it and spilt the beans. All hell then broke lose . Mr X came towards me in a threatening manner calling me naughty , bad mannered , a cheat and what have you . I had never seen him move so fast . I then received two or three tight smacks on my cheek followed by one or two on the back of my head when I turned . I was given zero and sent to the Principal . I received 2 strokes with the cane and that stung . Needless to add , I never cheated again - nor did I ever take to History ! However I bore no malice towards the teacher - those were different days and he was just doing his job while dealing with a naughty boy . All's well that end's well. So ends this morning's lesson !