Re-visiting Prince of Wales - III
Before I could read the printed version of Part II, I received the
following feedback from USA which goes to say there are many versions to
this popular story:
"Hi, I am a Sebastianite living in USA. The story about killing two
birds with one stone, the version that I heard was slightly different.
It goes like this: He threw the Kettha to the centre, so it planted in
the middle of two animals. Then he aimed his gun and fired his only
bullet which hit the Kettha and split into two and hit the animals
instantaneously killing them - Moratuwa Porak"
The most memorable event during our time was the annual cricket match
between St. Sebastian's College and PWC. Those who are familiar with the
geography of Prince of Wales College will know that the vast cricket
ground is facing the main Galle road. When Don Bradman once played at
Prince of Wales grounds it is said that spectators watching from top of
May trees had to duck when he pulled out massive sixes over the main
road!
The college compound became a bee-hive with students from both
colleges during the rival match with cheering in many forms while some
got into lorries and started waving flags, chanted slogans, sang songs
and played steel bands to give a real carnival atmosphere.
First lesson
Once during the match, a popular teacher from St. Sebastian's College
who was renowned for his side-splitting acts, especially for gulping two
raw eggs at the end of the first lesson during a double period, was seen
taking his rosary out of his pocket swiftly and praying to God, perhaps
seeking divine help to save St. Sebastian's from defeat.........! Few
boys, having caught his presence dashed towards him, grabbed and lifted
him and carried him on their arms round the ground shouting, "He is a
jolly good fellow..... He is a jolly good fellow......". The
uncomfortable master had no choice while he was hurled up and down in
the air.
Stocks of eggs in his jacket pocket were an open secret. One impish
student in the rush grabbed his jacket and squeezed both pockets hard.
The poor master must have been cursing the culprit for the mess and
inconvenience caused but had to be in that position until he was put
down.
School masters during our time were modest, and a few cycled to
school and back. The above mentioned master was well built and donned
Western outfits. Paddling his bicycle twice in forward motion, and
free-wheeling four times backwards at 5 MPH, he could be recognised from
any distance on the road.
Once a minor who was learning to cycle on a side road swerved, went
zig zag in trying to get his balance while riding abreast hung on to his
right shoulder to escape falling. Looking straight ahead and still
freewheeling, he shouted, 'Amanaya Atha Harapan, Atha Harapan' (you
monster leave off) but within seconds both fell onto the road without
much injury.
Skipping lessons
One day some boys in my class decided to lock the geometrical drawing
master out by shutting all windows and the louvre-door in a classroom
immediately underneath the college clock. Earning a reputation as a
notorious bunch of 'incorrigibles' who were being transferred from one
room to another after every act of mischief, teachers were naturally
thrown into perplexity not knowing where we were.
It happened to be the last period of the day and boys managed to hold
up till the final ten minutes in complete darkness until a curios
student slightly shifted louvres in a window to take a glimpse when the
teacher was in the corridor, very next to the classroom and walking in a
haze.
An excited voice within the classroom shouted "shut it.... shut
it..." which gave a clue to the master where we were hiding. Within
minutes there was a thundering voice shouting: "Open the bloody door"
with a forceful kick which nearly flung the door open. Someone in the
classroom announced: "Don't open... don't open," but the enraged voice
thundered even louder: "Never you mind! Open the bloody d.....o
.....o... r........!" . Fuming Principal entered the classroom like a
rocket with a long cane.
Sorrow amidst fun
Gnashing his teeth, the Principal wanted to know who was responsible
for the loutish act. Dead silence of unity prevailed and the final
result being we all received three cane lashings on our buttocks.
In the midst of the hullaballoo the final bell to dismiss the college
went off and we were detained for 45 minutes after school, for which
poor teacher too had to lounge around with us.
As much as fun and disorderly behaviour, we experienced the most
tragic moment in our time when one of our beloved teachers committed
suicide inside the laboratory by swallowing a concentrated concoction of
acid. That morning the teacher walked up and down across the classroom
in a pensive mood. At 2.45 pm there was pandemonium and everyone rushed
towards the laboratory with the news of a suicidal incident.
Frightful scene
Our master had befriended the lab technician in advance and
diplomatically done his homework. On this particular afternoon, sending
the lab technician out, to buy some cigarettes, he swallowed a
concoction of noxious acid.
It was a frightful scene to watch when a senior prefect carried the
suffering teacher on his arms like a child. Some antidote had been
administered immediately inside the lab but his tongue had dissolved
along with part of the clothes he was wearing by that time.
After rushing immediately to Lunawa hospital he died, but such
madness and sadness is ingrained in our memory as the worst experience
at PWC.
It gives me the shivers, even today, when I evoke that horrible
scene. The feeling that remains with me is that despite this misfortune,
he was a great teacher even though he may have had his own reasons for
doing what he did....something like taking his own life! I wish we were
old enough for him to have been able to talk to us. Or we could have
been there to help him out. [email protected]
To be continued
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