An interesting stranger

I think train journeys are so wonderful because one always gets to meet characters mostly good along the way. This time on our way back, we had an elderly couple for company. The gentleman, an ex-IITian and a Faculty at an Engg. College in Bangalore took great liking to Gurdev, the moment he heard that he was also from IIT. They swapped some IIT stories. It always amazes me how Gurdev is always so humble about it, I’ve seen people unabashedly proclaim degrees to get attention even at the beginning of a conversation. Anyway, so we talked about where in Bangalore we live and what we do and likewise for them etc. His wife lost her father which was a reason for their Hyderabad visit. I consoled her and we swapped stories about lost parents.

Then he got onto asking Maths, Computer related, General Knowledge, Geography questions to Siddharth. As a parent, I have always maintained that Siddharth is very sharp but even both of us were impressed with the accuracy and speed of Siddharth’s replies. Many questions were way above what he could have studied. Siddharth even stumped the old man with a few questions he has picked up from his reading of the Atlas :). He is a voracious reader and the most impressive part is that he is able to assimilate concepts and knowledge way more than his age would warrant. He has understood concepts like earth’s rotation and revolution, seasons, day and night, names of planets etc.. He is these days reading Asterix comics which are his dad’s favorite and he has a collection.

So, this gentleman very patiently asked questions and threw some for us too :). He was very appreciative of Siddharth. He also shared some stories of his grandchildren in US which were quite entertaining. It is so nice to come across elders – so sharp and bright and perfectly cultured. Needless to say, it was so difficult to put Siddhu to bed :). It was a thoroughly enjoyable time spent with the couple and for the first time, I did not to read a book and the time just flew off.