There have been so many quotes about 'Mother Nature being the best teacher' and 'Nature teaches us what our mothers do not'. I believed that because I love Nature. But after seeing what I describe below, the belief has grown staunch.

I was once watching a program on one of these channels - Discovery, Animal Planet, Nat Geo. I don't remember exactly which one that was. Thanks to my brother and the camera woman, I happened to witness one of the Nature's miracles.

The program was about a lioness, taken deep in jungles of Africa. A pride of lions seems to have hunted a group of antelopes and managed to make a kill on a mother antelope. For whatever reason, a lioness in that pride seems to have taken heart on an antelope calf. She had adopted the calf and took great care of it. She never let the calf out of her eye sight for the fear of getting killed by the rest of the pride, the same way she would have behaved if it was her own cub. What's more she did not make a single kill the entire duration she was with the calf (which was about 13 days). Little by little the calf got rid of the fear of the lioness. But both the calf and lioness were growing weak - for the want of food. The lioness didn't hunt; the calf being too young was not able to feed on grass, and whining for the mother's feed. The calf was even shown to approach the lioness for milk. The efforts of the villagers and the channel staff by making the lioness eat by throwing meat, went down the drain. Both the animals survive on water for the entire duration. Finally, the calf passes away. The lioness reacts exactly the same to this, as she would have done for her own cub. The next day, she makes a meagre hunt for her survival. The episode ends with the note that the lioness goes on to adopt six other calfs during her life time.

If I had not seen the program myself and if someone had told this, I would not have believed. I mean, how can a prey and a predator live in harmony? And why should a predator wane and languish for a prey? Why would a lioness get estranged from her own pride for an antelope? Lions are social animals, to them, their pride is everything.

There are at least two ways to look at this.

* That the lioness should not have tried to do what it did, departing from its nature. By doing so, the calf had a prolonged suffering.
* That it is perfectly possible for two individuals in stark contrast to co-exist in perfect harmony as long as the hearts are brimming with love and care. What could be more contrasting than a prey and a predator.

I am bound to go with the second, because I trust that it is what Mother Nature is trying to tell us to the people of today's world - a world that is always in a frantic hurry, a world that is in a constant want of compassion. If a prey and predator can co-exist, why can't we humans co-exist with one another? Why can't we make this earth a more peaceful place to live in?

I am not really sure how many people are fortunate enough to have a teacher that they would remember for a life time. I am one of those fortunate ones. I don't just remember her, but owe what I am today, to that wonderful lady. She was my maths teacher and I wish I had been in touch with her. I do think of her often, but even more, after I read 'Tuesdays with Morrie'.

She had a very profound impact and a very positive one, on me and how I perceived the world. If I am optimistic at least 75% of the time, I owe it to her. If I see the world as a big happy place to live in, I owe it to her. If I see an opportunity in every challenge (i don't want say it a "problem"), she carved me so. The strangest part is, I didn't get any special attention from her, to have such an impact. She was the same with everyone in the class. The moments I spent with her alone were purely on mathematical grounds - about public exams, about math competitions and what-nots. She was elderly and commanded respect from every one, not because of her age, but because of her character.

I was young then and green. And I wanted to mimic her. I am a software engineer now, but I wanted to become a teacher - a maths teacher in the very school I went to. My mother wanted me to give a shot at the engineering entrance exams. I had been reluctant. I wanted to become a teacher - like my own. I was adamant and refused to even listen to any suggestions that so many people gave related to engineering entrance. Then one day, she called me alone and asked what I was planning to do after high school. I told her that I want to become a maths teacher and that I want to do Masters in maths at IIT (Indian Institute of Tech) But back in 1990's, everybody was appearing for engineering entrance. It was supposed to the gateway to big fortunes. She raised an eyebrow after hearing my answer. She simply said, "Why don't you appear for the entrance exams? Why can't you try doing something that would place you in a better position financially? If you really want to be a teacher, you can do so even after retiring from IT industry after you have stabilized yourself financially". I would have marched right off the spot had it been anyone else. But I cant do that to someone whom I admired and adored. And so I appeared, and so I became a software engineer.

In retrospect, I don't think I would have succeeded in my own eyes, as a teacher, because I wanted to mimic her and that is too lofty a goal. Sure enough, I could teach people, and make them understand stuff. But I honestly do not think that I would have succeeded in sowing provoking ideas in my students in the arenas that she inspired many. She probably knew this.

I had been out of school for 9 years now, and I am not quite sure whether there are such good teachers today. I am not sure whether there would be teachers who help in moulding a kid's thought and leave a positive impact.

It was one fine Sunday and as usual I didn't know what to do with myself. (I hadn't started accumulating books then. I was still on a look out of a good library). My mother had given some mundane tasks, which took no time. Then again I was faced with seeming colossal question. "What now?". (It surprises me that I no longer ask that question. Either I have become lazy or I am kept busy. The best part - I don't know which one)

There were times I usually mock my brother for seeing cartoon movies (inwardly I do enjoy the movie). But since I was all alone, I did have the opportunity to watch the VCD that my friend had lent - The lion king. I didn't pick that up with great expectation. It was to kill time. (Or so I thought).

It is a movie that I would never forget in my life time. Few sequences are edged into my memory. I watched it twice already the same day. I loved Simba's father, the king, Mufasa. He is so majestic, proud, and adores his son, dies for his son. Below are some of the conversations that I would always enjoy.

Little Simba is so very excited one morning and cant wait to see his kingdom. He jumps all around those, who are sleeping and tries to wake up his father. The Lioness stirs from sleep and says to mufasa "Your son is already awake", Mufasa replies "Till sunrise he is ur son". Meanwhile simba climbs up the huge body of Mufasa, trying to wake him up. Finally hits mufasa's chin, and cries "You promised". Then Mufasa couldnt resist, he gets up and shows from the top of the boulder the boundaries of his kingdom.

M: A king's reign rises and falls like the sun. One day simba, the sun will set on my time as a king and rise on you as a king.
Simba: Then this will all be mine..
M: Yes simba..
Simba: A king can do anything..
M: Much so, but not put a kingdom in danger.

(Then they go around the kingdom.M starts talking again)

M: Everything exists together in a delicate balace. As a king, you must understand this balance. You must respect the crawling ants to the leaping antelopes
S: But dad dont we eat antelopes
M: Yes we do, let me explain Simba. When we die, our bodies become the grass. And antelopes eat grass. So we are all well connected in the great circle of life.

He also teaches how to lie low and attack. He was absolutely proud when Simba playfully attacks M's right hand.

There was one another piece of conversation that I loved. A father to son talk... Happens when simba crosses kingdom (pride rock)'s boundary and endangers himself and Nala's life. M calls for Simba who is way behind. The scared Simba inches forward. He lays his feet in the same place his father's foot marks are. He was astonished by the difference in sizes of his and his father's paw. Finally reaches his father's side.

M: I am deeply disappointed in you Simba You disobeyed me. Whats worse, you put Nala's life in danger.
S: I know dad, but I was only trying to be brave like you.
M: I am brave only when I have to be. Being brave doesn't mean that you go looking for trouble.
S: But you are never scared.
M: I was today.
S: Eh? you were?
M: Yes, I was scared I would lose you.
(Simba brightens up, and lets go of his fear)
S: Even mighty kings are scared at times..huh?
M: Yes.
S: But you know what?
M(smiling): what?
S: Those hyenas were even scared today.
M: Thats because nobody messes up with your daddy.

He draws Simba into his massive hug, cuddles and tickles him. They drew a mock fight and catch each other. Finally Simba settles on his favourite spot. on top of his father's mane.

S: You are proud, arent you?
M: Yes Simba
S: We will always be together won't we?
M: Hopefully Simba, but let me tell you what my father told me. Look at those stars?
S: Yes dad
M: Great kings of the past look down on us from those stars. Whenever you feel lonely, look at them, they will guide you forever and so will I.

There is so much truth in all the conversations and profound things very simply told. I am sure that this is the movie I would enjoy watching with my nephew and when it is time, my own kids.