Irum Khan
I met Mrs. Lorna D’Lima last year on September 5, the day India celebrates Teacher’s Day. Mrs. D’Lima was a teacher almost two decades ago at St. Felix High School, a government-aided Catholic school with a diverse student profile.
She met me in the parking lot, holding a bouquet from a student—one she wanted to pass on to her daughter, as she already had several at home. The love from her students, even two decades after her retirement, had not faded. Instead, it had evolved into a beautiful relationship, transforming her from a teacher into a friend.
To many, Mrs. D’Lima was not just a teacher but a life coach. In an era when resources were scarce and class sizes overwhelming, teachers like her were life’s gift to young, impressionable minds. She helped us navigate life—not just by making us memorize historical events for the perfect score but by weaving regular study breaks into storytelling sessions. At the time, these stories felt like small oases in the midst of rigorous academic drills, but looking back, they were the foundation of life coaching that began in school.
The storytelling prowess Mrs. D’Lima possessed—her ability to enrich young minds through her narratives—was a rare art that could have given even the most skilled chroniclers of her time a run for their money. She ignited young minds with her enchanting tales and vibrant storytelling techniques. Each session was a magical journey, transporting the children to distant lands and introducing them to captivating characters that sparked their imaginations.
Through her stories, she provided us, grappling with teenage crises and life’s complexities, a mirror reflecting invaluable lessons: the inherent worth of accepting life in its truest form, the pragmatism in marriages, the rewards of courage, and the freedom found in transparency.
In Canada, such life lessons are introduced as early as preschool, where children are taught impulse control through activities like freeze dancing. The belief that patience is a fundamental requirement for a successful life is instilled through such exercises. But Canada has resources—back then, in India, resources were scarce. That’s why teachers like Mrs. D’Lima, who relied on personal experiences and insights to shape a student’s life, remain permanently etched in a student’s memories.
I have been persuading Mrs. D’Lima for just one more story—a story about life and curiosity. Not a fairy tale, but a story that speaks to you and me. A story into which I can once again immerse myself. Hope she heeds!
