|
The True Story of a Modern-day Wise Man
During one Christmas season, I met a modern-day wise man.
The old man walked into my classroom to thank me for what we would
later call "the fourth gift.
On his
behalf, I share his message with you now
The school halls were empty and the janitor was making his final rounds. I
was just stacking the last supplies for holiday storage when the classroom
door opened. A thin, elderly gentleman stood in the doorway, his white
hair and ragged clothes dimmed by the late afternoon shadows. For a moment
I thought he belonged down the hall, in the now empty manger scene. When
he inched closer I could see his eyes glistening, tears staining his
weathered cheeks. As he extended
his hand, he whispered, Thank you
for teaching my little girl
how to
read. Then he turned and walked away.
I stood and watched his bent frame shuffle down the dimly lit corridor,
his foster daughter clinging to his outstretched hand. To this man who
could not even pen his own name, the child held a treasure as precious as
gold. She could read.
To teachers everywhere
Thank You.
|