History’s Pop Quiz: Unexpected Lessons from Unplanned Events

History, whether grand or personal, shapes us in ways we often realize only later. For me, three events from the last few decades stand out. Each brought its own lesson, sometimes with a dash of chaos and a sprinkling of humor.

First, let’s talk about the 1997 incident with the beautiful church near my place. Picture this: a serene, picturesque church nestled beside a mountain. Suddenly, nature decided to play a little joke. One fine day, the mountain beside the church came tumbling down, quite literally. Half of the church was destroyed, yet miraculously, not a single soul was harmed. I was 12 then, studying at the church school, and witnessing the destruction was nothing less than a historic event for me. It was like something out of a movie—except it wasn’t a CGI mountain, and the drama was all too real! What could have been a tragedy turned into a story of resilience. The church was restored, and in a most beautiful way too. As I think back, I realize that this event taught me one important lesson: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger—or at least gives you a fresh coat of paint!”

Fast forward a few years to my college days, when another force of nature had a say—this time in Tamil Nadu, where the 2004 tsunami struck. That event was terrifying. I recall one of my teachers being from Tamil Nadu, and the worry in her eyes was palpable. It was a harsh reminder that nature can be unpredictable and powerful. Yet, after the wave of destruction, I witnessed how people came together to rebuild, to support each other. There was panic, stress, and uncertainty, but eventually, things did fall into place. It reminded me of the quote by Helen Keller: “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

Now, on to the most recent historical event that no one in this universe will ever forget—COVID-19. Who can forget the pandemic years? Not me. Those two years felt like a scene out of a sci-fi movie where everyone walked around looking like aliens. Decked out in PPE suits, masks, and face shields, it was hard to tell who was who. And, oh, the way we treated each other! Forget the usual human warmth—people were literally crossing the street to avoid contact. It was both hilarious and heartbreaking. I remember one particularly surreal experience where my usual four-hour journey took an entire day. I was practically mummified in protective gear, and the idea of being “normal” felt like a distant memory. COVID taught us many things: the value of life, the importance of family, friends, and health. It also taught us how to make banana bread and juggle Zoom meetings while homeschooling, but that’s a story for another day. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans,” John Lennon once said, and the pandemic proved that to be truer than ever.

However, I can’t ignore the effect it had on children. Online schooling changed their behavior in ways we’re only just beginning to understand. Who knew “mute yourself” would become the anthem of the decade?

History has its way of shaping us, whether through falling mountains, crashing waves, or microscopic viruses. What matters is how we emerge from these moments—stronger, wiser, and with plenty of stories to tell.