Shahana’s husband Mr Zamil Huda works in a company office. His firm has a vacant position. On several days he told Shahana, “I want you to apply for the post.” But Shahana said, “Please don’t insist. I’m joining the local high school as a teacher.” “What do you find in a teaching job, Shahana? I don’t want you to do it.” Her in-laws were also on his side. Yet Shahana joined the school against the will of the family.
Weeks and months went by. Every day Shahana helps with the household work. Every day she works hard to prepare her lessons. Every day she goes to school, teaches her students and helps both weak and bright ones. They often come to her in the teachers’ room, in the corridor and even on the road, and talk to her about any academic or personal problems.
Within a year Shahana becomes a very good teacher. Students give her salam wherever they see her. Teachers, even the Head Teacher, admire her. Parents and other people in the community come to see her at home and at the school and pay her great respect.
One day her husband said, “You’ve opened my eyes, Shahana. Teaching is more than a job. I didn’t know it. Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” she smiled.
“Tell me, Shahana, how you could be such a great teacher!” Zamil wanted to know.
“I don’t only teach my subject, I care for my students. I love them. I myself demonstrate good behaviour and inspire them to be good. That’s all I do,” replied Shahana.
Bangla Translation: শাহানার স্বামী জনাব জামিল হুদা একটি কোম্পানির অফিসে কাজ করেন। তার প্রতিষ্ঠানে একটি শূন্য পদ রয়েছে। কয়েক দিন ধরে তিনি শাহানাকে বলছিলেন, “আমি চাই তুমি এই পদে আবেদন করো।” কিন্তু শাহানা বলল, “দয়া করে জোর দিও না। আমি স্থানীয় উচ্চ বিদ্যালয়ে শিক্ষক হিসেবে যোগ দিচ্ছি।“
“শিক্ষকের চাকরিতে তুমি কী দেখো, শাহানা? আমি চাই না তুমি এটি করো।” তার শ্বশুরবাড়ির লোকজনও জামিলের পক্ষেই ছিলেন। তবুও, পরিবারের ইচ্ছার বিরুদ্ধে শাহানা স্কুলে যোগ দিল।
সপ্তাহ এবং মাস কেটে গেল। প্রতিদিন শাহানা গৃহস্থালির কাজে সাহায্য করে। প্রতিদিন সে তার পাঠের প্রস্তুতি নিতে কঠোর পরিশ্রম করে। প্রতিদিন সে স্কুলে যায়, শিক্ষার্থীদের পড়ায় এবং দুর্বল ও মেধাবী সবাইকে সহায়তা করে। শিক্ষার্থীরা প্রায়ই শিক্ষক কক্ষে, করিডোরে এবং এমনকি রাস্তায়ও তার কাছে আসে এবং শিক্ষাগত বা ব্যক্তিগত সমস্যাগুলো নিয়ে কথা বলে।
এক বছরের মধ্যে শাহানা একজন চমৎকার শিক্ষক হয়ে ওঠে। শিক্ষার্থীরা যেখানে তাকে দেখে, সালাম দেয়। শিক্ষকরা, এমনকি প্রধান শিক্ষকও, তাকে প্রশংসা করেন। অভিভাবকরা এবং সমাজের অন্যান্য মানুষ তার বাড়িতে এবং স্কুলে এসে তাকে প্রচুর সম্মান দেখায়।
একদিন তার স্বামী বলল, “তুমি আমার চোখ খুলে দিয়েছ, শাহানা। শিক্ষকের কাজ শুধু একটা চাকরি নয়। আমি এটা বুঝতে পারিনি। অভিনন্দন!”
“ধন্যবাদ,” শাহানা হাসল।
“বলো তো, শাহানা, তুমি কীভাবে এত ভালো শিক্ষক হলে?” জামিল জানতে চাইল।
“আমি শুধু আমার বিষয় পড়াই না, আমি আমার শিক্ষার্থীদের যত্ন নিই। আমি তাদের ভালোবাসি। আমি নিজেই ভালো আচরণ করি এবং তাদের ভালো হতে অনুপ্রাণিত করি। এটাই আমি করি,” উত্তর দিল শাহানা।
Words | Meanings | Synonyms | Antonyms |
Husband (n) | স্বামী | spouse; partner | wife |
Firm (n) | প্রতিষ্ঠান | company; business | — |
Vacant (adj) | খালি | empty; unoccupied | filled; occupied |
Position (n) | পদ | job; post | Unemploy ment |
Insist (v) | জোর করা | urge; demand | yield; accept |
Join (v) | যোগদান করা | become a part; enlist | leave; resign |
In-laws (n) | শ্বশুরবাড়ির আত্মীয় | spouse’s family | — |
Against (prep) | বিপরীতে | opposed to; in contrast | in favor of |
Household (n) | গৃহস্থালী | home; domestic affairs | — |
Prepare (v) | প্রস্তুত করা | make ready; plan | neglect |
Corridor (n) | করিডোর; বারান্দা | passage; hallway | — |
Bright (adj) | মেধাবী; উজ্জ্বল | intelligent; brilliant | dull; unintelligent |
Academic (adj) | শিক্ষামূলক | educational; scholarly | non-academic |
Personal (adj) | ব্যক্তিগত | private; individual | public; general |
Respect (n) | সম্মান | admiration; honor | disrespect; insult |
Congratulations (n) | অভিনন্দন | best wishes; praise | criticism |
Demonstrate (v) | প্রদর্শন করা | show; exhibit | hide; conceal |
Inspire (v) | অনুপ্রাণিত করা | motivate; encourage | discourage |
- Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
- What is Mr. Zamil Huda’s profession?
(i) Teacher
(ii) Doctor
(iii) Engineer
(iv) Works in a company office
Ans: (iv) Works in a company office - What did Mr. Zamil Huda want Shahana to do?
(i) Stay at home
(ii) Apply for a job in his office
(iii) Teach at a school
(iv) Travel abroad
Ans: (ii) Apply for a job in his office - What was Shahana’s response to her husband’s request?
(i) She agreed to apply for the job
(ii) She decided to join the local high school
(iii) She moved to another city
(iv) She decided to stay home
Ans: (ii) She decided to join the local high school - Where did Shahana decide to work?
(i) A private company
(ii) A local high school
(iii) A university
(iv) A hospital
Ans: (ii) A local high school - What was the opinion of Shahana’s in-laws regarding her decision?
(i) They supported her decision
(ii) They were indifferent
(iii) They disagreed with her decision
(iv) They encouraged her to become a doctor
Ans: (iii) They disagreed with her decision - What did Shahana do every day after joining the school?
(i) Rested at home
(ii) Worked at a hospital
(iii) Helped with household chores and prepared lessons
(iv) Went shopping
Ans: (iii) Helped with household chores and prepared lessons - What was Shahana’s approach towards her students?
(i) She focused only on bright students
(ii) She ignored weak students
(iii) She helped both weak and bright students
(iv) She was strict and did not interact much
Ans: (iii) She helped both weak and bright students - Where did students go to talk to Shahana about problems?
(i) In the teacher’s room
(ii) On the road
(iii) In the corridor
(iv) All of the above
Ans: (iv) All of the above - How did Shahana interact with her students outside the classroom?
(i) She ignored them
(ii) She guided them with academic and personal problems
(iii) She only talked to them during class
(iv) She went on trips with them
Ans: (ii) She guided them with academic and personal problems - How did Shahana’s students show their respect for her?
(i) By giving her gifts
(ii) By ignoring her
(iii) By giving her salam wherever they saw her
(iv) By writing letters to her
Ans: (iii) By giving her salam wherever they saw her - How did the teachers and Head Teacher feel about Shahana’s work?
(i) They ignored her
(ii) They admired her
(iii) They criticized her
(iv) They were jealous of her
Ans: (ii) They admired her - How did Shahana’s community react to her teaching?
(i) They were indifferent
(ii) They admired her and respected her
(iii) They ignored her work
(iv) They told her to leave the job
Ans: (ii) They admired her and respected her - What did Shahana’s husband say after realizing her success?
(i) “You should stop teaching”
(ii) “Teaching is more than a job”
(iii) “I want you to quit”
(iv) “I am proud of you”
Ans: (ii) “Teaching is more than a job” - How did Shahana respond to her husband’s praise?
(i) She was sad
(ii) She smiled and thanked him
(iii) She ignored him
(iv) She asked for more praise
Ans: (ii) She smiled and thanked him - What did Zamil want to know from Shahana?
(i) How to become rich
(ii) How she managed her time
(iii) How she became such a great teacher
(iv) How she learned to cook
Ans: (iii) How she became such a great teacher - What did Shahana say was her secret to being a great teacher?
(i) She taught many subjects
(ii) She demonstrated good behavior and cared for her students
(iii) She worked for long hours
(iv) She attended many workshops
Ans: (ii) She demonstrated good behavior and cared for her students - What does Shahana believe is the key to teaching?
(i) Teaching only the subject
(ii) Showing love and care for students
(iii) Giving rewards to students
(iv) Being strict with the students
Ans: (ii) Showing love and care for students - How did Shahana inspire her students?
(i) By being strict
(ii) By demonstrating good behavior
(iii) By giving them money
(iv) By attending their social events
Ans: (ii) By demonstrating good behavior - What did Shahana do to show care for her students?
(i) She only gave them lessons
(ii) She scolded them
(iii) She helped them with both academic and personal issues
(iv) She ignored their personal problems
Ans: (iii) She helped them with both academic and personal issues - Why did Zamil not initially understand the value of teaching?
(i) He did not like teaching
(ii) He thought it was just a job
(iii) He preferred other professions
(iv) He thought teaching was easy
Ans: (ii) He thought it was just a job - How did Zamil express his realization about teaching?
(i) By quitting his job
(ii) By congratulating Shahana
(iii) By criticizing teachers
(iv) By asking Shahana to stop teaching
Ans: (ii) By congratulating Shahana - What did Shahana do every day?
(i) She went on vacations
(ii) She rested at home
(iii) She worked hard on her lessons
(iv) She went to parties
Ans: (iii) She worked hard on her lessons - What was Shahana’s main concern as a teacher?
(i) Earning money
(ii) Making her students successful
(iii) Teaching just the subject
(iv) Becoming famous
Ans: (ii) Making her students successful - What made Shahana different from other teachers?
(i) She worked for longer hours
(ii) She cared deeply for her students
(iii) She only taught bright students
(iv) She gave gifts to students
Ans: (ii) She cared deeply for her students - What did Shahana’s students feel for her?
(i) They felt scared
(ii) They respected and admired her
(iii) They ignored her
(iv) They made fun of her
Ans: (ii) They respected and admired her - What did the parents think of Shahana’s teaching?
(i) They were critical of her
(ii) They came to see her and paid her respect
(iii) They asked her to leave the school
(iv) They ignored her efforts
Ans: (ii) They came to see her and paid her respect - How did Shahana manage to balance her work and home life?
(i) She focused only on home
(ii) She focused only on school
(iii) She worked hard at both home and school
(iv) She ignored home responsibilities
Ans: (iii) She worked hard at both home and school - How did Shahana’s husband view her job after seeing her success?
(i) He still didn’t understand its value
(ii) He became proud of her
(iii) He wanted her to quit
(iv) He was jealous
Ans: (ii) He became proud of her - How did Shahana inspire her students to be good?
(i) By punishing them
(ii) By demonstrating good behavior
(iii) By giving them rewards
(iv) By lecturing them
Ans: (ii) By demonstrating good behavior - What did Shahana believe teaching was about?
(i) Earning a salary
(ii) Caring for and inspiring students
(iii) Being in charge
(iv) Having authority over students
Ans: (ii) Caring for and inspiring students - What kind of job did Zamil initially think Shahana’s job was?
(i) An easy job
(ii) A boring job
(iii) A low-paying job
(iv) A stressful job
Ans: (i) An easy job - How did Shahana feel about her students?
(i) She was indifferent to them
(ii) She loved them
(iii) She disliked them
(iv) She was frustrated with them
Ans: (ii) She loved them - What did Shahana do to maintain good relationships with her students?
(i) Ignored their issues
(ii) Showed care and respect
(iii) Scolded them
(iv) Gave them treats
Ans: (ii) Showed care and respect - What did Shahana believe was essential for a teacher?
(i) Teaching the syllabus
(ii) Caring for students and showing good behavior
(iii) Being strict
(iv) Earning money
Ans: (ii) Caring for students and showing good behavior - How did Shahana’s students feel after she helped them?
(i) Grateful
(ii) Angry
(iii) Indifferent
(iv) Sad
Ans: (i) Grateful - What did Zamil learn about teaching through Shahana?
(i) It is a hobby
(ii) It is just a job
(iii) It is more than a job
(iv) It is a waste of time
Ans: (iii) It is more than a job - What did Shahana teach her students besides the subject?
(i) How to be successful
(ii) How to behave well
(iii) How to make money
(iv) How to follow orders
Ans: (ii) How to behave well - What was the reaction of Shahana’s family after she became a successful teacher?
(i) They were proud of her
(ii) They were disappointed
(iii) They still disagreed with her
(iv) They were indifferent
Ans: (i) They were proud of her - How did Shahana’s husband show his appreciation?
(i) By giving her a gift
(ii) By congratulating her for opening his eyes
(iii) By asking her to quit
(iv) By telling her to teach more hours
Ans: (ii) By congratulating her for opening his eyes - What did Shahana believe about teaching?
(i) It is just a way to earn money
(ii) It is a calling to care for others
(iii) It is about getting promotions
(iv) It is only about knowledge
Ans: (ii) It is a calling to care for others
- What is Mr. Zamil Huda’s profession?
- Answer the following questions:
- Who is Mr. Zamil Huda?
- What did Mr. Zamil Huda want Shahana to do?
- What was Shahana’s response to her husband’s request?
- Where did Shahana decide to join despite her husband’s wishes?
- How did Shahana feel about teaching?
- What was the opinion of Shahana’s in-laws regarding her decision to teach?
- How did Shahana manage her time between household work and her teaching job?
- What did Shahana do every day after joining the school?
- What kind of support did Shahana provide to her students?
- How did Shahana help both weak and bright students?
- Where did students approach Shahana for help?
- What type of problems did students talk to Shahana about?
- How did Shahana’s efforts in teaching affect her relationship with the students?
- What did the students do when they saw Shahana?
- How did the other teachers and the Head Teacher feel about Shahana’s work?
- How did Shahana’s community react to her work as a teacher?
- What did the community members do to show respect for Shahana?
- What did Zamil say to Shahana one day?
- What realization did Zamil have about teaching?
- How did Shahana respond when Zamil praised her teaching?
- What question did Zamil ask Shahana about her success as a teacher?
- How did Shahana describe her approach to teaching?
- What is the main reason Shahana believes she is a great teacher?
- What does Shahana do to show care and love for her students?
- How does Shahana inspire her students to be good?
- What kind of behavior does Shahana demonstrate to set an example?
- Why did Zamil not understand the value of teaching at first?
- What did Zamil think teaching was before Shahana showed him its true value?
- How does Shahana balance her personal life and professional life as a teacher?