Within a few seconds, Laiq replied confidently, "Four!"
The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three). She was disappointed. Maybe the child did not listen properly, she thought. She repeated, "Laiq, listen carefully. If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?"
Laiq had seen the disappointment on his teachers face. He calculated again on his fingers.But within him he was also searching for the answer that will make the teacher happy. His search for the answer was not for the correct one, but the one that will make his teacher happy.
This time hesitatingly he replied, "Four!"
Seeing the teacher happy, young Laiq calculated on his fingers again.There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher. She wanted her new approach to succeed.
With a hesitating smile young Laiq enquired, "Three?"
The teacher now had a victorious smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted to congratulate herself. But one last thing remained. Once again she asked him, "Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?"
Promptly Laiq answered, "Four!"
The teacher was aghast. "How Laiq, how?" She demanded in a little stern and irritated voice.
In a voice that was low and hesitating young Laiq replied, "Because I already have one apple in my bag."
When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect don’t think they are wrong. There may be an angle that you have not understood at all. You will have to listen and understand, but never listen with a predetermined notion.