Inspection Episode - Examination
from Part I 'Childhood
Autobiography by M.K. Gandhi
Short Essay
Introduction:
The Story of My Experiments with Truth is the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi. In this book, Gandhi honestly describes his life experiences and moral development. In Part I, Chapter 2 – Childhood, he narrates an important incident from his school life known as the Inspection Episode. This episode clearly shows how Gandhi’s belief in truth and honesty was formed at a very young age.
Gandhi as a Student:
Gandhi describes himself as a shy and average student. He was not brilliant in studies and avoided mingling with other children. His books were his only companions. He followed rules strictly, reached school on time, and returned home immediately after classes. He feared being mocked and therefore lived a disciplined and quiet life.
The Examination Incident:
During his first year in high school, an educational inspector named Mr. Giles conducted a spelling test. Gandhi misspelt the word “kettle.” His teacher tried to prompt him to copy from a neighbour, but Gandhi refused. He believed copying was wrong. As a result, all students passed except Gandhi.
Truth and Moral Courage:
This incident shows Gandhi’s moral courage and honesty. He chose truth over success and marks. Even failure did not shake his values.
Conclusion:
The Inspection Episode proves that Gandhi’s commitment to truth was natural and deep-rooted. This childhood incident later became the foundation of his life philosophy.
M.K. Gandhi - Autobiography - Inspection Episode Examination from Part I 'Childhood in Tamil 👇
from Part I 'Childhood
Autobiography by M.K. Gandhi
Detailed Essay
Introduction:
The Story of My Experiments with Truth is the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi, where he honestly records his life experiences and moral growth. In Part I, Chapter 2 – Childhood, Gandhi narrates incidents from his early school life. One important incident is the Inspection Episode during an examination, which clearly shows Gandhi’s deep commitment to truth, honesty, and moral discipline from a very young age. This episode becomes a foundation for his lifelong belief in truth.
Gandhi as a Student in Childhood:
Gandhi describes himself as a shy, quiet, and average student. He was not brilliant in studies and did not mix freely with other students. His books were his only companions. He strictly followed rules, reached school on time, and returned home immediately after classes. He avoided company because he feared being mocked. This shows his introverted nature and strong discipline, even as a child.
The Inspection Episode (Examination Incident):
During his first year in high school, an Educational Inspector named Mr. Giles visited the school. He conducted a spelling test with five words. Gandhi misspelt the word “kettle.”
Seeing this, the teacher tried to prompt Gandhi by nudging him with his boot, asking him indirectly to copy the correct spelling from his neighbour’s slate. However, Gandhi refused to copy, because he believed the teacher was present to prevent cheating, not encourage it.
As a result, all students except Gandhi passed the spelling test. Gandhi alone was marked wrong and appeared foolish in comparison.
Moral Integrity and Truthfulness:
This incident highlights Gandhi’s uncompromising honesty. Even as a child, he could not bring himself to cheat, even when encouraged by his teacher. He lacked the “art of copying,” but he possessed something far greater—moral courage.
Gandhi did not feel ashamed of failing. Instead, he remained firm in his belief that truth is more important than success. This moment becomes an early experiment with truth in his life.
Respect for Elders and Authority:
Interestingly, this incident did not reduce Gandhi’s respect for his teacher. He believed elders should be obeyed, not judged. Later, he understood that the teacher had many faults, but his respect remained unchanged. This reflects Gandhi’s belief in discipline, obedience, and humility, even when elders are imperfect.
Significance of the Episode:
From a strategic perspective, this episode is not just a school incident. It is a character-defining moment. It clearly shows that Gandhi’s philosophy of truth was not theoretical; it was practised from childhood. This incident laid the groundwork for his later principles of Satya (Truth) and Ahimsa (Non-violence).
Conclusion:
The Inspection Episode from The Story of My Experiments with Truth is a powerful example of Mahatma Gandhi’s early moral development. Though he appeared weak academically, he was strong in character. His refusal to cheat, even under pressure, proves that his commitment to truth was natural and instinctive. This small childhood incident later grew into a guiding principle that shaped his entire life and leadership. In short, this episode shows that great values begin with small choices.
M.K. Gandhi - Autobiography Inspection Episode - Examination - from Part I 'Childhood in Tamil 👇
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