Kerala third grader's golden rule for lemon & spoon race wins internet, praise from Minister
The Malayalam question had asked students to write down the rules of a game of their choice.
The Malayalam question had asked students to write down the rules of a game of their choice.
The Malayalam question had asked students to write down the rules of a game of their choice.
Thiruvananthapuram: Examinations are usually about grammar drills and essays. But for one third standard student in Thalassery, it became the perfect moment to lay down a golden rule for life: “Winners should not mock losers.”
When asked to draft the rules of his favourite game, little Ahaan Anoop of O Chandumenon Memorial Government UP School chose the classic lemon-and-spoon race. After the usual lines about balancing lemons and staying in track, he dropped the clincher — no teasing the ones who finish last.
Education Minister V Sivankutty was so impressed that he shared the answer sheet on social media, calling it a life lesson worth noting. “These words spark reflection and curiosity, and show how Kerala’s public schools are moving forward,” the minister wrote.
The minister later phoned Ahaan to congratulate him. The boy promptly recognised Sivankutty and explained that he wrote the rule after watching a lemon-and-spoon race at school. He also voiced a concern that his school lacked a playground, to which the minister assured that the government would consider building one by next year.
The Malayalam question had asked students to write down the rules of a game of their choice, with an example involving balloon-popping given in the paper. Ahaan chose the traditional lemon and spoon race, and framed his rules as follows:
Lemon and spoon race
- Five contestants can play at once
- Contestants must hold the spoon in their mouth and balance the lemon on it
- They must stay within their track
- If the lemon falls, it must be placed back before continuing
- Anyone who steps out of track is disqualified
- Winners must not tease the losers