Sachin: I make Up Stories/ 13 Nov, 2006

I make up stories: Sachin
Gayatri Jayaraman

On Children's Day, Sachin Tendulkar reveals he likes spinning stories for his kids when he is not spinning the ball.

Sachin Tendulkar's quite a kid among kid. And though being a kid doesn't quite include being a storyteller, merrymaker and teacher, Sachin's all that too when he's with the li'l ones.

Barely a bundle of nerves on the field, it was quite a different thing observing Sachin watch his son Arjun and daughter Sarah, students at Nita Ambani's school, perform at their annual day. "I suppose it's different for me because I know what to expect, but when it comes to them, I was a bit nervous," said Sachin, adding proudly, "But my kids were so excited, not nervous at all." Like dad, like children!

Sachin loves families getting together, "I think these kind of social outings and gatherings where parents encourage and cheer their kids to learn and compete are essential for children. It's what allows families to bond and learn from each other."

And yet, he is wary of praising his kids too much, "When we were kids, our parents never went home and popped bottles of champagne when we scored 100. At the most we drank buttermilk and started thinking about the next game." This, he says, is essential for parents to understand. "It helps children to keep a balanced perspective in the face of victory and defeat."

Sachin believes children learn most by watching their parents, "Whatever I know I learned from watching my father. Someone earlier asked me if I get angry... I don't, and the reason is simply because I never saw my father lose his cool."

Whatever Sachin can't explain by reason and logic, he makes up for by way of stories. "I love to tell my children stories, and when I run out of classics and fairy tales, I make them up. I compose stories and slip in moral elements that the kids subconsciously pick up. I think it's the best way to teach kids."