The Proof

"What's in a name?" I asked Sagar, the most mischievous student in my class. He had an annoying habit of doing everything but pay attention to the topic at hand,

After a brief pause, he stood up to amused murmurs:

"Shakespeare, Sir!"

"What's in a name?" I quipped triumphantly and the class exploded.

Sagar sat down with an embarrassed smirk.

Just for the record. I teach Mathematics, not Literature or Philosophy. Purist may argue abstract math comes close to the latter. Also, for the record, Sagar had interrupted me by complaining:

"Sir, yesterday you had used x as the variable but today you use y! Why?"

This had prompted my witty reaction.

Another ten minutes or so and I had just about finished finding the limit of a function where x < 0, followed by a neat line of chalk drawn down the middle of the blackboard. The portion on the right said "otherwise" at the top, followed by another set of steps calculating the limit when x >= 0.

I had barely turned around when Sagar, as was his wont, asked:

"Sir, I don't understand the otherwise part-"

I had fair bit to cover in the balance 15 minutes so I interrupted him and said:

"It's really simple Sagar! I'm wise and you're otherwise." and regretted it as soon as I finished even as the rest of the class enjoyed this banter.

Sagar remained standing, arms crossed. I ignored him and continued with the lecture.

At the end of the period, I reminded my wards of an assignment, due early next week.

"I know the concepts may be tough," I saged, "But remember: Nothing is Impossible!"

I then began gathering my books and bag when Sagar called out:

"Hold on, Sir! I believe nothing is possible."

Intrigued, I stopped and faced him:

"Okay. You're in a math class. Can you prove it?"

"Sure," he replied with a wide grin, "I've attended each of your lectures diligently this year but trust me, Sir, I learnt nothing!"