Point to Ponder: “Sometimes life takes unexpected turns. Sometimes we hide the very core of our existence because we fear the judgment of others. Sometimes the universe shifts and we are provided with a brief moment to begin anew." - Cori Garrison
Story Line: By Joy Mossang ( from one of many weekly conversations with Anand)
When you hear the word “college,” what comes to your mind? Maybe freedom from school bells and heavy bags, no uniforms or just a notebook tucked into your pocket, maybe even a romantic breeze across the campus. I don’t really know what it’s like, because I’ve never been through that journey (college) but I found this story very educational in terms of how one moment, one question, changed one person’s (aka Dumb Fred) life forever.
"Life is not what you expect: it is made up of the most unexpected twists and turns."
The day was like any normal college day until the physics professor came to the class room and started his topic on Parabolic Motion. “It’s the motion you see when you throw a ball in the air-it goes up, curves, and comes down.” To explain it better, he drew analogy with car traveling along mountain’s periphery and demonstrated by throwing a chalk in parabolic motion. However, it was a bit dramatic, and students were trying to hold their laughter.
Fred , curious and sincere, asked, “But sir, mountains are zigzag when we climb them, right?” The class burst out laughing.
The professor, thinking Fred was mocking him, got furious. He threw a chalk at Fred that hit him in chest and shouted, “Get out of my class!” As Fred stepped out of the classroom, he looked inside from the window and said, “Your behavior was very unprofessional, Sir.”
"New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings."
This made the professor even angrier. He stormed out, dragged Fred to the vice principal’s office, and demanded an apology. But Fred refused. “I asked a question because I was curious and wanted to learn. It’s he who should apologize for throwing the chalk at me.” On this throwback answer, the vice principal suspended him for two days. Who knew this would be his last voice and face on campus? Finally, with a heart full of disappointment and hurt, Fred walked out of the college-pledging never to return.
His parents were proud of him for standing up-but concerned about what lay ahead in his life. Fred said that he would go to Mumbai to continue his college, staying with his supportive uncle.
Midnight Train to Mumbai.
His train to Mumbai, was scheduled at night from his hometown. His father and two friends came to drop him off. As the train started leaving the station, Fred leaned out of the window for one last look. In the dark, the only thing he could see was his father and two friends’ faces fading away. As the train moved into the night, he whispered to himself, “This darkness will disappear in … and very soon light will follow. My next chapter begins now.”
The Whole New World
As he stepped off the train onto the platform in Mumbai, the warm rays of the morning sun touched his face welcoming him to the new beginning. The city buzzed with life-unfamiliar yet full of possibilities. Every face he passed, every street he saw, reminded him that he was no longer the boy who left his hometown in the dark of night. He had transitioned -not just into a new city, but into a new version of himself.
Reflection:
Sometimes, life doesn’t give you a warning before shifting. One moment can change everything. But change is not always the end-it can be the beginning of something far greater.
Sequel to the story: (by Anand)
In Mumbai Fred met people from many different parts of India and other countries, learned about their customs, religions and political views. It broadened his world view and gave experiences that became big assets in the incredible success in career and life that followed.
About the Author:
At the age of 17, Joy Mossang left his home in Arunachal Pradesh to explore the world. He took different jobs and also attended classes in schools to learn various skills. During his work stint at ITC Narmada hotel in Ahmedabad he met two guests: Anand and Luisa. In various conversations they discovered synergy in their interests and kept in touch. As the fate would have it, when Anand and Luisa went to Goa the next year, Joy was working there to learn new skills. This is one of the many stories Joy has captured from conversations with Anand.
Aftermath: For All Fairness and (Credit to Missionary College for adhering to their Principles and teachings) Vice Principal Brother Braganza did an independent investigation and learned the facts. Then he personally came to Fred’s home with the professor to request him to return, only to find out from Fred’s father that Fred had already left the town for good.
Title: * “Who can guess that precise moment when your world is going to change?" - a quote from the book: Ping A Frog in Search of a New Pond by Stuart Avery Gold