Although this is a fictional work, it has inspired many people over the years. We are sure it will inspire you as well. The story occurred many years ago and involves an elementary school teacher named Mrs. Thompson. She stood in front of her fifth-grade class on the first day of school and lied to the children. After looking at the students, she told them that she loved them all the same but that was impossible.
You see, there was a little boy in the front row, slumped down in his seat, named Teddy Stallard. Mrs. Thompson was familiar with Teddy, because she had watched him the year before. She noticed that his clothes were messy and that he typically needed a bath, along with the fact that he didn’t play well with other children. Teddy could be an unpleasant child, and Mrs. Thompson would even mark his papers with a broad red pen with a small smile on her face, ending it with a big F on top.
The school where Mrs. Thompson taught required the teachers review their students past records every year. Teddy’s was put off until last but when she did review it, she got the surprise of her life.
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 is a joy to be around.”
His second grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but 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Teddy’s fourth grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school.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.”
Mrs. Thompson now understood the real problem and felt very ashamed. She felt even worse when all of the students brought Christmas presents wrapped in beautiful paper and ribbons except for his. It was wrapped with brown paper that came from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson made sure that she opened his present in the middle of the others. Some children were laughing when there was a rhinestone bracelet inside with some of the stones missing. There was also a perfume bottle that was partially used. She stopped the children from laughing and said how pretty the bracelet was while dabbing some perfume on her wrist.
After school that day, Teddy Stoller and remained behind to let the teacher know she smelled just like his mother.
After the children had gone home, she cried for at least an hour. It was after that day that she stopped teaching reading, writing and arithmetic and began teaching children.
Teddy got a particular amount of attention and she worked with him one-on-one. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded and the more he seemed to come alive. By the time the year was over, Teddy was among the smartest children in the class. Despite the fact that she had lied to them about loving all of the children the same, she now had Teddy as one of her class pets.
The next year, Ms. Thompson found a note on her door from Teddy that told her she was the best teacher he had ever had. Six years went by and she got another note from Teddy, letting her know he had finished third in his high school class.
After another four years had passed, another letter was received. It said that, although he had some difficulties, he stuck it out in school and was poised to graduate from college with honors. After another four years, another letter came stating that he had got his bachelor’s degree. After some more time had passed, she got a third message that was signed, Theodore F Stallard, M.D.
This isn’t the end of the story. That spring, she received another letter from Teddy letting her know that he had found a girl and was going to be married. He let her know that his father had died a few years ago and was wondering if she would agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. She willingly accepted.
On the day of the wedding, she wore the rhinestone bracelet and was sure to wear the perfume Teddy had remembered his mother wearing.
As they hugged each other, Dr. Stallard whispered to her, thanking her for believing in him. Letting her know that she made him feel important and showing him that he could make a difference.
As Mrs. Thompson stood there with tears in her eyes, she whispered back that he had it all wrong. You see, Teddy was the one that made the difference, because she didn’t know how to teach until she met him.
Be sure to warm someone’s heart today by passing this touching story along on Facebook