from Appa Stories (2)

Appa’s Voice
Appa never raises his voice. Appa always speaks in a calm, measured tone – very softly. However, Appa’s scoldings and warnings in his quiet, soft voice which is always steady and firm and sometimes frighteningly serious the way only a doctor’s voice can be, are more alarming to the children than anyone’s screaming or shouting could ever be.

Even years later, Appa, with his quiet voice, would only have to say, ‘I am very disappointed in you’. And the children would be full of remorse and despair. At this point they know that the only thing they can do is to change and improve the way Appa himself changes and improves his own behaviour from time to time when-
ever he feels it is necessary. Then Appa would scrutinize himself and ‘improve’ himself with the same discerning analysis he uses to improve the experiments in his lab.

Appa commands awe and respect just by entering a room. Sometimes Appa would not need to say a word and the children would simply know what they have to do. There are times when Appa’s mere presence reminds the children about everything he has told them so far. But then of course, there are always new things to discover, there’s aways new advice from Appa.

By contrast, Ma’s voice is naturally loud. It is a singer’s voice. There are days when Ma’s singing fills the house. Ma could be a professional singer if she wanted to. Usually, it is Ma who scolds the children in her ...