50. Report - Persecution 2

Women before the inauguration of a new house

The first evening at the school in this village was very nice: I was given a classroom with a padlock, brought food and drink, organized washing facilities, some special people had interesting questions, the magic was accepted joyfully and in the morning some saw me Children doing yoga and imitating asanas.

Now they even invite me to stay another day for the village festival. In the evening, villagers will even put on a theater play about the consequences of negative behavior. Nice, as an educator and teacher I gladly accept this offer.

In the morning I watch all kinds of festival preparations in the village. We arrange a larger magic show for the early evening. And the children are informed to join the yoga class and learn the sun salutation the next morning.

Around noon I meditate and rest in the classroom. But some children will come up with naughty ideas, push open the door from the outside and run away if I look.

 

At first I ignore everything, stay relaxed. An adult comes by and disciplines the children. But after a few minutes the children are back. - Deliberate provocation continues. I feel inside that things are not going well and that I should do something. I'm still relaxed inside, but the experience and my limitations remind me that things can't go well for much longer.

 

After a few minutes, some start fooling around at the window too. I'm getting announced. I step out and tell the kids I'll leave if they don't stop.

 

It does not help. The boy at the window escalates and produces loud, unaesthetic noises. He even asks for my cell phone.

 

Outrage and a bad fantasy begin to rise in me. I imagine myself actually holding his phone up to the barred window, but then grabbing his throat and taking my revenge!

 

Even at the door it remains restless. Once again a man comes and reprimands the children. It's quiet right now, but inside I've already said goodbye. - I now open the door myself and see the children at the other end of the schoolyard looking in my direction.

 

I don't say anything but start packing my things. It is a very positive, good experience when one make clear, binding decisions. I almost feel at ease, even though the children are now watching dumbly and obediently while the things are being packed.

 

As I shoulder the luggage, two adults join me. They make friendly attempts to get me to stay, but I only let them stop me for a moment. - Some of the children ask more persistently to stay, also some of the naughty ones. But no, a decision is a decision. I'm fine.

 

Continuing through the festival village, people at kiosks offer food and chai; I don't have to pay anywhere. Everywhere there is merry activity going on. Some probably already know me and point out the parade and the theater programme.

 

After a few hundred meters children come running after me for the first time. They bring a bag of buttermilk. A kind gesture - and herb buttermilk is delicious in this heat. They fervently ask to come back, but the no remains - I go on.

 

For a few minutes, children's voices can be heard calling again behind me. Two of the culprits are there. They ask to stay again and hand over a small bottle of juice. Some look very sincerely and touch my heart. But no, with a little clarity I declare my going on.

 

 

And: My decision should be a contribution to the evening's play, in which the consequences of bad behavior are to be presented: "If you annoy a guest, he leaves." - With this message it was then from my side.

 

But I think about it: Isn't it the parents' fault if they don't set an example of more polite behavior for their children? How can the children help themselves if they behave this way? - But maybe it's my own fault: the night before I had staged the first magic among the children and announced further activities. It is clear that children are curious and excited and somehow want to draw attention to themselves. You have responsibilities when you make people "hot".

 

And even more self-criticism: Apparently, my charisma seems to have invited provocation. So how authentic was I?

 

Hm. I think that I first have to draw the right learning material from this problem situation for myself.