Don't speak unless you know about it well.....

Today just as my father came home after work, I happily told him- "We have Marxism in our syllabus". (I am not that into politics and thought this was a good way to make my father happy to know I have learned something he knows well about).

His response surprised me. He said "Ah, Marx...that's nice. So..tell me, what's the name of his book?" (Now I knew we were taught this but I really couldn't remember). Though I told him we were taught about Marx, I never said I studied or read more about him. (I of course couldn't tell him this). So, I softly said "I remember I wrote down the name........"

My father then disapprovingly looked at me. "If you don't know his book, I don't think you know about him at all. (I of course felt so bad. I shouldn't have started this conversation. Now I am in trouble).

I was hoping my father would go to take a wash now. But NO, he asked, "which country is Marx from?" This, was such a simple question and we were taught that too. BUT there was a small problem..... I COULDN'T REMEMBER!!! I know..I know.. Now I do sound really dumb right? I don't know where Marx was from. I gave the most obvious answer... "Russia". My father smiled and said "That's what a lot of people think. But he was a German. And I said "Ahhhhhh...". Actually I knew that...I think! :P

My father went in to the bathroom while still telling me things about Marx. After he went in I was so relieved. I also was blaming myself for starting a conversation without really knowing my facts. I just turned to my mother to tell her this when I heard my father ask from the bathroom "What was Lenin's political party?" I felt like banging my head on the wall. I just jokingly answered, "Sama samaja pakshaya". My father said "Ya.Right!"

I knew it was time for me to quickly escape. So, I went far away so that I couldn't hear even if my father asked another question. However, I learned a good lesson. "Don't speak unless you know, or else you'll get stuck in the middle".

However, my father said he will teach me about Marx when he has time. I am going to read about Marx and be prepared for that. I am not going to teach my dad about Marx... :-D (Or maybe at least try to answer the simple questions he asks... "