Hey everyone!
So, my literature professor gave us this creative thing to do called “Ask Thy Teacher Two Good Questions.” The deal was simple: ask him two smart, intiguing questions that make us both smile. I’d smile writing them, and he’d smile answering them. If no smiles, no answer - back to rewriting!
My Question To Prof. Kafle:
Dear Sir,
Namaskar 🙏
Namaskar 🙏
I hope you're doing well. First of all, I want to thank you for creating such a creative platform where we can ask anything of you or ask the questions, we dare not ask on other occasions.
I have been excited to ask you these questions since the first day of this assignment, and today I finally managed to post them here. My questions are:
1. I have been observing you since the first day I met you. The way you talk, the way you interact with people, and the way you teach us is simply amazing and unique to me, as I have never seen such a unique way of presenting one's ideas in my life. The most interesting thing was yesterday, when I was also at Dayamudra's workshop. Everyone was busy discussing and sharing their thoughts, but I was waiting for you to speak, because the things other people said or even that lady spoke are freely available on the internet. However, the thoughts and ideas you shared were entirely your own. So, my first question to you is: How can I maintain such a unique personality like yours? In other words, how can I find my own unique self, one that is solely mine and not influenced by others?
I have been excited to ask you these questions since the first day of this assignment, and today I finally managed to post them here. My questions are:
1. I have been observing you since the first day I met you. The way you talk, the way you interact with people, and the way you teach us is simply amazing and unique to me, as I have never seen such a unique way of presenting one's ideas in my life. The most interesting thing was yesterday, when I was also at Dayamudra's workshop. Everyone was busy discussing and sharing their thoughts, but I was waiting for you to speak, because the things other people said or even that lady spoke are freely available on the internet. However, the thoughts and ideas you shared were entirely your own. So, my first question to you is: How can I maintain such a unique personality like yours? In other words, how can I find my own unique self, one that is solely mine and not influenced by others?
2. Everyone has their own attitude or traits in life. We've known each other for 4-5 months, and I’m sure you have noticed a few good and bad traits of mine. So, for the second question, I ask you to point out my bad traits without mercy. I’m asking you this because I don’t want to be the same Lovedev after graduating from this degree. I truly want to correct myself and grow. I hope you will help me in this process.
Lastly, I want to thank you again for providing such a great space to ask you my concerns without hesitation or fear.
Sincerely yours,
Lovedev
Prof. Kafle’s Response To My Question:
Prof. Kafle’s Response To My Question:
Dear Lovedev,
I have thought about your questions for quite some time because they are intriguing. They read great and feel greater each time I think of the possible replies. There is a sincere intention to grow and become different.
But I start my responses right away.
I have thought about your questions for quite some time because they are intriguing. They read great and feel greater each time I think of the possible replies. There is a sincere intention to grow and become different.
But I start my responses right away.
How can I maintain such a unique personality like yours? In other words, how can I find my own unique self, one that is solely mine and not influenced by others?
Your question gives the impression that you want to imitate me. But I do not understand it that way. Other readers may. Modify the question a little to mean your uniqueness: 'How can I maintain a unique personality like the way you do?' This means you want to learn the process but not be influenced by the results. Right? The second part of this question is only the explanation of the first. So, how can you maintain uniqueness? You have already partly answered it by saying you want to have a personality 'uninfluenced by others.' You may also be thinking, 'Is that possible?' If I reflect the meaning of uniqueness you observed in me, I can trace sources of inspiration and intrinsic motivation and no influence of a real individual except those I have read about in literature.
I have developed these commitments in real life. First, I listen to people carefully and judge their competencies and personalities. While I do this, I check how I think and should speak differently than they did. And I speak the points they somehow fail to speak about. Second, I try to bring references and examples from the subjects other than those common people may have had access to. Third, even when I present thoughts and examples from a mundane subject, I present only those which I think people are unfamiliar with. Fourth, I make sure to add personal anecdotes that are peculiar to my or someone else's lived contexts. Overall, every time I present myself to others, I remain guided by the urge that I must defamiliarize my thoughts and approaches. I do not react to things that usually anger or agitate common people. I avoid being where I should not be and speaking when I should not. I mostly dress according to the setting and model my ideas to sound differently relevant. In most cases, I give people an assurance that I am interested in, listening to, and concerned about them. Probably this gives me a unique personality. You know, it is hard to find people who have patience to listen to you long before they decide to speak. It is equally rare to find people who communicate to inspire your thoughts rather than to engage your ears.
If you can emulate some of my approaches, you will probably achieve uniqueness of your own. But do not try to imitate me or anyone. Just be inspired and try to do better than them.
Everyone has their own attitude or traits in life. We've known each other for 4-5 months, and I’m sure you have noticed a few good and bad traits of mine. So, for the second question, I ask you to point out my bad traits without mercy. I’m asking you this because I don’t want to be the same Lovedev after graduating from this degree. I truly want to correct myself and grow. I hope you will help me in this process.
Lovedev, I have tried to see you as a struggling individual apart from being a student. To me, you are someone who has just decided to hold on to a purpose: a bachelor’s degree with a promise to open up sure paths for life. One important trait I have noticed in you is the ability to decide amid dilemmas. This is a very positive trait. One weaker trait appears side by side. It is that you seem to spend quite a good amount of time juggling between options and not grabbing the right path early enough. But the time spent before coming to KU can't have been without rewards if you have considered understanding its impact on your life. You must have seen the world in its different dimensions. You must have tried to negotiate with your family about the value of your dreams, and they must have learned to trust you and wait for you before you found your direction.
I have seen nothing big to comment about you 'without mercy' in the last four to five months. Imagine how many problematic and good-for-nothing kids I may have come across in more than three decades of my career. If I reflect for a while to compare you with those many thousands I met, only a few come in sight that match your elegance, preparedness, and sense of direction. However, amid all the good traits, one that you need to develop around this time is the audacity to ask 'why' and 'how' to people who assign you errands as if you are there to obey everything under the sun. I mean, if you accept challenges and responsibilities without questioning, that's one bad trait you should correct. But I don't mean that you must be blunt and superficial in your questions and responses. You may simply say to people, "I understand what you mean. This will probably teach me something. But may I know why it's so important, and how it's going to help?"
You have just set foot on a great trail, my dear. The remaining three years and six months at KU will certainly transform you. I have seen many directionless fools turn into achievers. You are already a lovely boy able to perceive your destination. Never fail to take advantage of the knowledge and wisdom of people who have offered you space in their lives. Never forget to be grateful for that space. The more you utilize the space and show gratitude, the wider it will be made for you. The fact that you are treated both as a student and a colleague may sometimes give you an odd feeling. But maintain a fair balance between collegiality and studentship. This dual exposure is a great platform for transformation.
I don't want to moralize you at this point. Just let things unfold for you. You are surrounded by extremely good people who will help you nurture a great career as an educator.
What I Got Out of It
This was so much fun. I feel like I know my professor better now—he’s pretty cool! It was exactly what the assignment promised: fun and smart at the same time.
Your Turn!
So, that’s my story—two questions and a good time. What about you? What two questions would you ask? Leave them in the comments—I wanna know what makes you smile!
Catch you later—keep smiling! 😊
Author:
Lovedev Sharma
Undergraduate Student
BA (English Studies) & B.Ed. (TESOL)
Kathmandu University, School of Education
📧 Email: l@lovedev.com.np | lovedevsharma477@gmail.com
📞 Mobile: +977-9840629598
🌐 Website: www.lovedev.com.np
"Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is." – Shree Krishna
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