My Father Dearest
MY FATHER DEAREST By Lt Col D Purushothaman Pillay (Retd) My 'Father' dearest, known in his world as 'Appu' alias AVD Pillay, taught me the ABCs & 123s of my life. He first taught me to speak, then later, to read and to write. But then, even before that, from a time I can’t even remember, he used to walk me to sleep, in the middle of the night, when I cried in my cradle, as a newborn. He took me to school and brought me back, rain or shine, every single school day. He learnt with and for me, taught me my languages, history and the sciences. He taught me - grammar, the tenses and genders, math and multiplication tables, geography, currencies and capitals, to draw maps and the hibiscus flower. He told fascinating stories to put me to sleep. He taught me names of all the trees and flowers in our garden. He taught me how to catch butterflies, ride a bicycle and fly kites. He taught me all my good manners, my good mornings and good nights along w...