Once a friend of mine asked me “which day would be the happiest day of your life?” I replied, “When I would become self- sufficient.” I meant it would be the day when I would earn enough money to fulfil all my necessities. Well, I haven't attained complete independency ever yet this dream of mine has always kept me attracted towards the ways of earning some money. If not all my needs, my earning has generated me enough pocket money to deal with the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Here comes the story of my first earning. In my country, after the exams of intermediate (grade 12) there are holidays of about six months. During this time the result for the exams is prepared and announced, and the test and admission of universities are proceeded. I always had a plan to utilize these vacations for teaching in a school (as I love teaching since always). Luckily, I was connected to a teacher of my school. One day she texted me and told that she was going to resign from the job, so I might apply there. Everything, happened just at the right time: my holidays had begun, the schools were about to resume after the summer holidays and my teacher was leaving her place for the subject and class I wanted to teach. I made the most of this opportunity and reached the school after a couple of days when my teacher had officially given her resignation.
When I reached the school office, the principal was happy to know that I was there for teaching. As I had studied from the same school, she was aware of my academic records. I was the pupil who stood first in matric board (grade 10) exams among all the seven campuses of the school. Meanwhile, I had secured 91.88 % marks in those exams and stood 10th among 1 lac 20 thousand students taking the exams in the whole. That's why I was a pride for that school already. It was the first time I had seen in my school that a teacher was given the job without any trial and assessment classes. The principal told me that she would take me as an English teacher for grade 7 and 8 (I already knew about the vacancy). The only discussion that was left was about the salary. The principal asked me how much do I expect. I replied “7500” (The teacher who had left the school had guided me about the salary. She told me to ask higher so that I would be given a little lesser). Hearing the demand of my salary, the principal looked at me with a smile and eyes wide-opened. She said that she was giving 6000 to the last teacher and that teacher was much more experienced than me, she would give me 6500 but not 7500. I had already made up my mind for 6500 so I finalized the deal.
You know, the salaries are handed over at the end of the month, so I had to wait for the whole month to get my first income in my hand. I joined the school at the end of summer vacation. During that time students submit their homework for checking before the resumption of the classes. So, I had to wait for forty days to get my first income in my hand.
Well, during those 40 days I got some unforgettable lessons. The first lesson was (as I told above) to always rate you higher. If we give us a higher value the others value us the same way.
The second lesson was learnt the hard way. Two other teachers also joined the school with me. I didn't know that I was not supposed to tell about my salary. In my conversation with those teachers there was a discussion about the salary, I told them mine and asked them their. One was hired at 5000 while the other at 4500. It means I was getting the highest. Although they were teaching to primary classes while I was teaching to secondary classes, yet both of them had bigger degree than mine. One day the principal called me in her office. I was wondering why she called me. When I reached in her office, I found her extremely angry. She scolded me for telling about my salary to the other teachers. She said she wouldn't increase theirs but would lessen mine. (Actually, after knowing about my salary, the teachers had demanded the salaries equivalent to mine. That's why the principal was angry) It was the first time I was scolded by that lady. I had spent five years in that school as a student and I had always seen her smiling for me. I felt really very bad but what I could do I had already done the mistake, I apologized her and left the office with trembling heart. I understood that day how private a matter salary is and it shouldn't be discussed with colleagues any way. Most of them just get jealous of you if you earn better than them.
Anyways, after 40 days I got a sum of 8600. I was really happy to have my first earning in my hand. When I returned to home, I gave the whole amount to my mom. She gave me prayers and wished me best, and gave the money back to money. I took some out of it for my monthly expenses and saved the remaining for the upcoming expenses of the university. By the time university admission was conducted I had saved enough to pay my admission and semester fee along with the purchase of books. This way, I was able to start my new academic journey with my own money. It gave me immense pleasure to be able to support my education myself.
This is my participation for Hive Learner's Featured Contest. You are invited to participate.
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