Flamingo Chapter-1
The Last Lesson
“The
Last Lesson”, beautifully brings out the human tendency to postpone the
learning of things feeling there is plenty of time to do so but they don’t
realize when the doomsday will dawn and bring an end to our hopes and
aspirations.
Franz
is scared of going to school that day as his French teacher Mr. Hamel had
announced a test on participles which he has not learnt. Although, Franz wants
day out of the school and enjoy beauty of nature- the bright sunshine, the
birds chirping in the woods, but eventually plans to go to school.
On
the way, he passes through the Town Hall and sees the huge crowd around the
Notice board. He does not stop as Bulletin board served all bad news, lost
battles, the drafts and orders of the commanding officers. He sees Prussian
soldiers drilling but resists. On reaching the school, the changes he noticed
were: Instead of noisy classrooms everything was as quiet as Sunday morning.
All students were already in the classroom. Mr. Hamel, the French teacher did
not scold him and told him very kindly to take his seat. He was dressed in his
Sunday best- beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and black embroidered cap
which he wore on functions and prize ceremonies only. Villagers occupying the
last benches- old Hauser, former mayor and postmaster were also there.
M.
Hamel announced the notice which was served from Berlin as from tomorrow onwards
German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine; He realizes that,
that is what was put up on the bulletin board. Franz could not believe that it
would be his last lesson of French. He repented that he does not know his own
mother tongue and for not taking his lessons seriously. Now he realizes the
reason why teacher is dressed in his Sunday best and villagers sitting at the
back to pay tribute to M. Hamel for his 40 yrs of sincere service and also to
express their solidarity with France. M. Hamel realizes that all three, the
children, the parents and he himself are to be blamed for losing respect and regard
for the mother tongue.
Franz
is called to recite the lesson and he makes mistakes, but opposite to his
thinking teacher does not scold him rather preaches that one should not waste
time and postpone the things thinking that there is plenty of time. Always keep
the mother tongue close to your heart as it is the key to the prison of
slavery.
Atmosphere
in class: teacher teaching sincerely and patiently, students and others
studying
with
utmost sincerity. Franz wondered sarcastically if Prussians could force pigeons
to coo in German. M. Hamel overcome with emotions could not speak and wrote on
the black board “Long Live France” and dismisses the class.
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