The science teacher was throwing questions to her seven year old students.  ‘So what do you think is essential for life?’  Several little hands came up ready to share all they had learnt in the last few minutes.  The teacher began picking them up one by one.

Teacher:  Yes Krishna!  What do you think is important to sustain life?

Krishna:  Food Ma’am!

Teacher:  (prodding him further) and where do you get your food from?

Krishna:  From the plants directly or from other animals that eat the plants, or from other animals that eat other animals which in turn eat the plants…

Teacher:  Basically from the plants!  Good!  Now Nandita (picking up another child) what else is needed to sustain life?

Nandita:  (Standing up formally)  All living things need the Sun to survive.  We get our energy from the sun.  Without the sun we will all perish.

Teacher:  Yes indeed.  The Sun is our primary source of energy.  Yes Kishore.  What would you like to add?

Kishore:  Water Ma’am.

Teacher:  Good!  Water is very important for life.  We cannot survive without water.

Kishore:  Not that Ma’am. I want to drink water now Ma’am!

The entire class burst out laughing.  With a knowing smile the teacher nodded her head to Kishore not giving the smart kids the opportunity to say ‘we cannot live without water Ma’am’ in the event of her denying him permission immediately.

Sushmita:  Ma’am we also need oxygen to breathe.

Teacher:  Very good! You have all done me proud…

Science felt the gentle tap of his Father on his shoulder. Beaming, Science turned to greet Him.

Science:  Aren’t the children just lovely!

God:  Is that all it really takes to sustain life?

Science:  Father! You know they are too young to know about anything else, not even about carbon yet…

God:  Yeah I know!  But you know what my dear, I still think we can improve that list, even for kids.  It gives me great pain to see the way humans ill-treat their body.  Do you really think I designed for them to live in aches and pains and diseases?  I think its time to implant a more crucial requirement for survival.  Hmmm…  Let us see how this goes…

The teacher was just winding up when a little boy raised his hands seeking permission to speak.

Teacher:  Yes Nanda?

Nanda:  Ma’am my grandmother gets enough food, water, sunshine and oxygen.  But she is not healthy.  She finds it difficult to climb stairs, sit down or even lift a small water bottle.  There is nothing wrong with her and she has no diseases.  But she is still not healthy.  Why do you think that is?

Teacher:  She has probably not looked after herself Nanda…

She was saved from continuing by the sound of the bell.  The teacher gathered her things to leave but promised little Nanda that they would continue the discussion the following day.  For the rest of the day she wondered how she would find a way to explain how his grandmother had probably not looked after her health to remain active.  Deep in slumber that night the realisation came, this was not the time to dissect why things had not worked for her, but an opportunity to ensure the next generation was much better prepared.  She walked into the class the following day with a lot of purpose.

Teacher:  Have any of you heard of the five main elements? What we in India call as the Panchabhootas?

Several hands were raised but not as many as she would have liked.

Preeta:  Ma’am They are the Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space

Teacher:  Indeed!  These are the elements that we believe are the basic constituents of all other matter including human beings.  But do you know what else I learnt last night?

All the young faces were curious. Does the teacher also still learn? Little did they know that teaching actually keeps the student within alive!

Teacher:  Remember, yesterday we were talking about what is essential for life.  Now, Krishna said we need food which comes from the plants.  And where are the plants grown?

Everyone looked confused.  Where was she leading them?  The teacher continued…

Teacher:  On Earth.  The food we eat represents the element Earth.  Now who said Water?

All voices raised “Kishore”.  A few laughed in memory of the previous day.

Teacher:  (with a smile) Water represents the element ‘Water’.  Now what else?

Nandita:  Ma’am I said the Sun

Teacher:  And what does the sun represent?

Nandita:  Fire!

Teacher:  Good!  Sushmita said Oxygen which represents the element…

They all chorused “Air…” She waited till they had settled.

Teacher:  What about the fifth element? Space?

No one seemed to have any answer.  She smiled and said

Teacher:  What does space let you do?  If this room was filled with tables will you be able to freely walk around it?  No! So space gives you scope for movement.  Nanda, ensure your grandmother moves enough, for movement is also essential for life!  My dear, everything in this universe moves and is meant to move. Why are you all sitting like a statue on your seats? Come on! Up on your feet and you are going to jump around for a few moments!

God smiled!  The little ones needed no further excuse to get off their seats and literally jump around, their loud laughter and giggles were good music to accompany the movement!  After expending that excess energy, within a few moments they were ready to settle down once again to listen to their lovely teacher.

Science:  It is so simple and yet so profound Father.  Movement is life.  With the best of food, adequate water, enough sun and oxygen, and yet without movement, one is not truly healthy.  I sure will ensure this is inculcated in all the young minds…

God:  My dear!  The microcosm is just a reflection of the macrocosm.  If the universe is moving, never stationery, never resting, never ‘tired’, what makes man think he is designed for tiredness?  Food, water, oxygen, sunlight and movement are essential for life!

Written by Gita Krishna Raj  |  Published in infinithoughts in August 2012

When Science met God… |  Segment Four: The dance of a trillion cells

Chapter Three: The Microcosm