₦airaland Forum

The Best Teacher Ever
There is a story from many years ago of a primary school teacher.Her name was Mrs.Thompson. And as she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school,she told the children a lie.Like most teachers,she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.But that was impossible because there in the front row,slumped in his seat,was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.Mrs.Thompson had watched Teddy the year before n noticed that he didn't play well with the other children,that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath.And,Teddy could be unpleasant.It got to the point where Mrs.Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen,making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.At the school where Mrs.Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last.
However,when she reviewed his file,she was in for a surprise,Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh.He does his work neatly and has good manners...he he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student,well liked by his classmates,bt he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."
By now,Mrs.Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself.She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful paper and tied with pretty ribbons, except for Teddy's.His present which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs.Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs.Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."
After the children left she cried for at least an hour.On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead she began to teach children.Mrs.Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive.The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.By the end of the year,Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and,despite her lie that she would love all the children the same,Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later,she found a note under her door, from Teddy,telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.He then wrote that he had finished high school,third in his class,and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.Four years after that,she got another letter,saying that while things had been tough at times,he'd stayed in school,had stuck with it,and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors.He assured Mrs.Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.Then four more years passed and yet another letter came.This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree,he decided to go a little further.The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had.But now his name was a little longer - the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story doesn't end there.You see, there was yet another letter that spring.Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married.He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course Mrs. Thompson did.
And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing.And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.They hugged each other,and Dr.Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said,Teddy you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that i could make a difference. I didnt know how to teach until i met you

THE TAPESTRY
At first I thought I wouldn't survive it, for eighteen years of marriage to the same man was no folktale. But this was no ordinary man but a man worth my love each passing momentous day. I vividly remember my first encounter with his name. It was a cold harmattan evening.
"One Mr Jeremiah came looking for you", my counsellor said. "He says you're the one, the one the lord spoke to him about". I stared back blankfaced, my heart racing as doubt clouded my reasoning. "Me Ma? "I do not understand". "What does he want me for"? She smiled, a mischievious grin gracing her dovely face. "Look around", she said. "This is the office of the marriage counsellor, what more would he want from you than to be joined with him in holy matrimony"? I frowned. "Certainly not me Ma". "I'm sure he's got the wrong person". She smiled. This time devoid of her grin. "Get to meet him first", she said. "Pray then we'll hear what God has to say"... I nodded in agreement doubt etched all over my face. Standing up, I straightened my blouse and agreed to a talk with this unknown man.
That beautiful Wednesday evening as he came to my abode for our arranged date, though my memory was slowly regressing, I still remembered how he looked... Bold, fearless, with an aura of masculinity. And when he spoke, he reminded me more of the streams I had visited as a child. Sweet, serene, still. We talked over hours and soon I had come to realise that the marriage would be like my first college degree; a failure.
What's the matter?, my counsellor inquired. "Why are you insisting that he isn't the one"? I looked at her, painful lines creasing my face. How would she understand? How would anyone? I begun to cry. Softly at first, then loudly, shattering my apparent decorum. She soon saw my plight as she stood, crossing the room over to the bench where I was seated. "What's eating you up, dear one"?,she questioned. "What's the devil holding up against you"? "Would you like to share with me"? ........."He's too good for me"!, I wailed. "He's Godfearing, I'm not". "He's never been involved in any sexual experience but I have and the product of that sin still haunts me for I have a Son"! "Am sorry ma", I continued, "but he's too good for me". Silence echoed the room as she looked at me. Not with an accusing eye but with the eye of a mother. Then she held my hands clasping them with all the strength she could muster. "I'm married to the Reverend", she begun, and every single day I bless the lord for giving me such an amazing husband, lover and father to my children". "We both share the same story dear", she quipped on. "And though I had no Son, I was damaged too". "Series of abortions, alcohol, the fast life"! I looked at her, struck and bewildered. "Yes! she affirmed, confirming my doubts. "I was never the church girl, but despite all I was involved in, my flaws and imperfections have been mirrored through the eyes of my husband and christ has used him to chiesel me into the beautiful sculpture you now see standing beside you". I began to sob, stifling back tears. Putting her hands on my shoulder, she muttered calmly, "Marry him! "Marry this man! "Marry Jeremiah!, for he loves you the way christ loves the church. Holding her stare as much as I could, I replied amidst sobs; "I'l marry him". And I did....
Eighteen years running since I took my vows and with my little son as the page boy that day, I am very glad to have forgiven myself and to have embraced an impeccable future with christ. Blessed with four more children, I bless God each day for his mercy. For indeed and truely, my pristine, beautiful tapestry though once shredded had finally through the love of christ radiating through a wonderful man, been sewn back together into a respledent shape...
-By O.N