At the age of 45, Mr Singh abandons a job in forestry to become a teacher in a troubled primary school. The children are rebellious, and there is community tension between Afro-Trinidadians and Hindus. One of his colleagues recommends corporal punishment as a way of keeping the children in line, the other has progressive ideas but relies on religious superstition to preserve order. Mr Singh decides to find a middle way and teach according to Buddhist principles, but mayhem ensues until he shocks his class into re-assessing their behaviour and gains their respect.
