22/09/2025
.Title: *The Silent Lessons We Teach*
Dear all,
I’d like to share a real incident that happened around 50 years ago—not to judge, but to reflect.
Years ago, a boy proudly told his classmates about how his father “outsmarted” a bus conductor. The father had boarded a bus, received a ticket, but never paid. When he got off, he falsely claimed he had paid ₹20 and demanded the balance. The conductor, confused and pressured, handed over the change. That evening, the father narrated this as a clever victory. His son admired him deeply for it.
But years passed, and that same boy—now a young man—took his own life before the age of 30.
We may never fully understand the reasons behind such a tragedy. But one thing is clear: children absorb more than our words. They internalize our values, our pride, our shame. When dishonesty is celebrated as brilliance, it can distort a child’s understanding of integrity, trust, and self-worth.
As parents and educators, we are the architects of our children’s moral compass. Let us teach them that true brilliance lies in honesty, empathy, and courage. Let us be role models who show that doing the right thing—even when it’s hard—is the greatest strength of all.
Thank you for listening.
Shobin Mathew
