CHAMELEON

THE CHAMELEON

It’s quite amazing how people can be connected to a Chameleon – A lizard with the ability to change color. There are many who frequently and rapidly changes personality. One of them is a lad named Jaban Gruebaddd, who grew up in Sama Island in the Vesas region, somewhere in continent of Asia.

He excels in his school class and his uncle Nacha took notice of his scholarly performance. Watching him closely, he came to admire his persevering attitude and the way that he can adapt quickly to a situation like a chameleon. It got him thinking; maybe I can do something so his talents wouldn’t go to waste. He helped him acquire scholarship grant in Great Teacher University. With free tuition and free lodging, Jaban graduated and became a school teacher in Honethem Technical School.

He has a funny way of speaking English that makes him shy away from Call Centers but would probably catapult him to stardom as a comedian. Some of his students laugh while in his class and they laugh the more when he takes it negatively and confronts them and talk his funny talk. He learned to adapt to the situation but also developed a deep-seated anger directed to his students.

Eventually, he became the supervisor and he has the power to introduce changes that he thinks will boost the schools performance. He thinks. Alas, it’s about time to show them who they’re laughing at.

He created complications in the examination papers by revision, to force the students memorize every word to be able to answer the questions correctly. The usual choose the best answer or the simple fill in the blanks was omitted.

These things created a rift between the students and teachers. Jaban laughs secretly thinking, Ha! Ha! Ha! I’ll give leaks to those who will plead to me so they’ll easily pass the exams.

He began dating girls that attracts him. He forces students to harass those who refused to have a date with him. He’s turning students against each other.

 His naughty scheming looks fine until he decides to assign OJT’s as classroom teachers. This act displeases OJT’s and students alike. The students felt that they were cheated because their proxy instructors spend their time in classrooms spreading rumors instead of delivering valuable lessons that they’re paying for. Plus the fact that he is continuously devising schemes, which is obviously, to make the students pay more, prompted them to file a complaint to the school board. The OJT’s, working without compensation, were understandably silent. They don’t want to risk their few months stay in the school. Soon they will finish their stint and leave.

The board has to study the complaints well before acting on it.

The Chameleon’s time to submit a yearly report came. He is now face to face with the board of directors when they read the complaints and ask him to explain. Apparently taken by surprise, he over-confidently goes on to explain his side and in the course of doing so, he commits a grave slander against a student and while the board are looking at him in disbelief. Seemingly unaware, he continues to tell his story which is base on lies and half-truths.

 Finally the board renders their judgment: He committed misrepresentation of facts and slanderous remarks. A request is made for him to present proof of this slander and until such time, he will be given indefinite leave of absence. This action sweep Jaban off his feet.

He’s in a state of quandary. He realizes that no matter what he does, he has no proof to show now or ever. His lying buried him in the mire.

He learned a valuable lesson as a school teacher and it is written on his records – a lesson that will always haunt him for the rest of his life.