“No…, no. You can’t do anything in life. I’m sick of it”. The vehement voice echoed repeatedly in a room, lit with minuscule light rays penetrating through a sodium lamp glowing alone in a silent street, with selfless interest.

Ravi, a 13 years old boy, wearing a multi creased inner vest, and a pair of black shorts, was sweating profusely, while his head rested on a pillow, jerked in rhythm.

The commotion developed as the dream invasion grew intense, and that involuntarily forced Ravi to open his eyes wide, frozen in fear. He jumped out of the rickety bed, and made his way to the kitchen. The boy started searching a tumbler that he found in a short span. Luckily, the earthen pot was loaded with water up to brim. Ravi went near it, transferred the water into the tumbler, and drank the same through several attempts. Then, the lad, perturbed from the dream, felt an inexplicable respite.

Ravi decided not to spend the rest of the night alone. He needed a support as strong as the Alps, and a care as soft as the froth. He rushed to the room where his grandfather Sujan Sen, face covered with the white, silky beard, was immersed in the heavenly sleep.

Ravi thought of not to disturb his grandfather. He slowly went to the bed and reclined beside him.

With the first chirps of the birds the next morning, Sujan woke up, and he was surprised to find his grandson sharing the bed with him. In astonished tone, the grandfather uttered while soothing the head of his grandson with his shaky palm, “Hey! Dadubhai, how come you are here?”

Ravi yawned and broke his sleep. He flicked his eyes like a squirrel while looking at his grandpa. He got up from the bed and stood before Sujan. With a bit of anointment in his voice, Ravi mumbled, “My father, means your lovable son always scolds me. He always says I am bad at mathematics. I can’t do anything in life. How long I have to bear such blame? He fails to teach me well. Is it my fault?” “Oh! Ho!, dadubhai, for what your dadu is here? I will surely help you in this regard. Mathematics is not a tough subject. You need to understand the concepts in simplistic ways. Accompany me to the market now. You will see what I do”

Ravi went to the grocery market with Sujan. They approached a shop where Sujan demanded for 200 gm of jiggery. At the point of purchase, the price of the 1 kg jiggery was 250 INR.

The grandfather drew the attention of his grandson. With bold expression on his face, Sujan taught the trick. “Dadubhai, the price of 1 kg jiggery is 250 INR. We need 200 gm only. How will we calculate the price of 200 gm? First, we have to divide 250 INR by 10. Whatever is the answer that will be the price of 100 gm? What’s the answer? Come on, you can do it”

Ravi developed the interest for solving a practical problem. He readily replied, “Dadu, It’s 25 INR, the price of 100 gm”

While the happy creases were developed on Sujan’s forehead, he reciprocated, “Yes, that’s right. So, the price of 200 gm..?”

With gleeful act, Ravi answered, “Dadu, 50 INR”

“Absolutely right!” agreed the satisfied grandpa. He further asserted, “My dadubhai will become a math wizard one day. Now, show your father, you are worth of handling mathematical problems” “Yes, let’s get back home and I will show your son my real worth” championed Ravi.

The duo returned home. Ravi went straight to his mother and asked whether she had the required veggies to be prepared for the lunch. Sushila, the mother replied, “The stock lacks ladies fingers”

On hearing, Ravi replied boldly”No issues, I will go the market with my father and suffice your requirements”

The excited son ran towards his father Anil and asked him to accompany the former to the market. With reluctance spreading on the face, the father replied, “You just returned from the market with your grandpa and now you insist me to visit the market with you?” “Yes, and obvious, I am a responsible family member. Mother needs ladies fingers to prepare the lunch. Come on let’s move fast”

The confident son dragged his father to the market. After they reached a vegetable shop, Ravi asked the vegetable monger, “What is the price of ladies fingers?” “40 INR per kg sir” replied the smiling vegetable seller.

“Fine, give me 400 gm” demanded Ravi. After the small consignment was delivered, Ravi asked Anil to pay 16 INR. Anil was amazed to discover his son’s development. He paid the money and then turned to Ravi. The astonished father asked, “How you calculated the price?” “It’s magic you know. I will do wonders soon. Keep an eye every time” replied the gleeful son. “Let’s go back home. Mother will be worrying for us” said Ravi. “Yes, yes, let’s…..” replied Anil.

The father couldn’t complete the reply. Bewilderment and some sheer happiness failed him to unearth the secret.

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