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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Teacher (10/26/06)
A crisp autumn day. The sky was blue and there was a cornucopia of red and orange leaves scattered among the grass. The squeal of happy grade one and two children hard at play was easily heard from the bench I was sitting on as I supervised morning recess. I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye and I turned and marvelled at the perfect picture of a boy bolting out the school door, racing to join a game of soccer in progress. Arms and legs pumping hard in perfect synch. A beautiful example of energy in motion.

I sighed. I had a discouraging week and I felt it. I was trying to make a decision and felt pulled between two extremes. Either choice would have been fine, but it was a matter of what was best. I felt God leading me in one direction more strongly than the other. The struggle was realizing that if I chose that direction, I knew in the long run it would ultimately mean a higher commitment on my part. “Oh God, I wish you could just make it so clear that I wouldn’t doubt.” I whispered.

Next to the bench, two little girls began to argue over a skipping rope. I interrupted their angry words and strongly suggested they share. Nearby, one of the boys who had been quietly observing the scene sat down beside me and spoke.

"Mrs. W., there are times when people don't get along." I looked at him and responded. "Yes, there are times when people get angry at each other and they need to work things out." I knew Noah has a little brother who is autistic and it would be difficult for them to get along at times. Thinking this could be a teachable moment, I continued. "Tell me, what do you do when you don't get along with your little brother?"

He looked at me very seriously. He paused, took a breath and answered. His answer held God’s response to my question asked only moments previous and I found my heart skipping a beat.

"I take the high road, Mrs. W., I take the high road."

No doubt he was quoting his mom or dad in this statement. The quote obviously had struck a chord with him. It, in turn, resonated deep within my spirit and gave me peace.

“Thank you, Noah. That is a great answer. I’m sure your mommy and daddy are very proud of you.”

I reached for the whistle and blew. Recess was over. So was my struggle.
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This article has been read 1064 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
11/04/06
Your title drew me in, and the story was not disappointing! What a wonderful lesson, learned from a child - and so well told.
L.M. Lee
11/04/06
great day on the playground
Sara Harricharan
11/08/06
This was a lovely entry with a 'teachable lesson' for us all. Good job!
Sara Harricharan
11/08/06
Oops, I hit submit before I finished typing, maybe to improve this, we could have a slight insight as to what she was struggling against-this would make her struggle a little more personal to the reader, and a maybe a little background on Noah apart from just the few brief sentences. Otherwise, I thought it was pretty good. Keep up the good work!
Betty Castleberry
11/08/06
I like your description of the fall day. I didn't quite get what the teacher's struggle was, but I loved that a child helped her through it. All in all, this was a very good piece.
Val Clark
11/09/06
Strong sense of place made this a very visual piece for me. Loved to have known more. Watch out for run on sentence in para 1. :-) yeggy.