The Difference that Made a Difference...

This is a story about a 'difference, that made a difference'.  One from a book called 'More Magic of Metaphor'; something I have used to help me get a point across or to spark discussion about certain topics.

How do you interpret this one?  Does it mean anything to you?

As she stood in front of the fifth year primary class on the first day of school, Mrs Evans altered the usual platitudes. She told her students that she liked them all equally I would treat them all the same. That was going to be really hard because sitting in the back row, sprawled over his desk, was Sam Stone.

Mrs Evans had noticed Sam's progress throughout the previous year. She noticed that he did not mix easily with all the children, rarely played with them, but his clothes were dirty, his hair unkempt, and he sometimes some of less than fresh. He had a bit of a mean streak, too.

Things got to a point where Mrs Evans actually began to take a certain amount of vengeful pleasure in taking out her red chisel tip pen writing big fat F's at the top of his work.

It was a requirement at this school for teachers to review each child's past records. Mrs Evans put reading Sam’s records off till last. When she finally got round to it, she gassed with mingling sense of shame and shock.

Sounds first-year teacher had written "Sam is a bright child with an engaging personality and a ready laugh. He is well mannered and works neatly with concentration. He is good to have around"

His second year teacher had written "Sam is a very good student, and well-liked by his classmates. However, he has trouble because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle"

His third year teacher had written "his mother's death and hitting hard. He tries to do his best but his father showed little interest and his home situation is likely to affect him if steps aren't taken”

His fourth year teacher had written "Sam is withdrawn, passive and shows little interest in school. He has few friends and frequently sleeps in class"

Mrs Evans felt a real sense of shame. And when Christmas came and her students all brought her presents, neatly wrapped with ribbons and bows, she made a real effort to look especially pleased with Sam’s gift. It was clumsily wrapped in brown paper as he took it out of a plastic supermarket bag.

When Mrs Evans unwrapped it some of the other children started laughing in giggling. She found inside the parcel and imitation diamond bracelet, with some of the stones missing, and a bottle of perfume that was less than half full. But she silence the children's laughter when she remarked on how pretty the bracelet was, and slipped over her wrist. She then dumped some perfume on the neck. Sam stayed after school that day just longer have to say "thank you, Mrs Evans, today you smell just like my mum used to.”  After all the children had left Mrs Evans sat down at her desk and cried. She cried for quite a long time and she cried for many reasons.

She may few resolutions while she was crying. And, when she finished crying, she quit teaching reading writing and arithmetic. She began teaching children instead. She paid particular attention to Sam, and as he began to work closely with him he began to change. The more encouragement she gave him, the more he responded. He is mine snapped out of its torpor and once again became quick and the life. By the end of the school year, Sam had achieved among the highest marks in the class. Mrs Evans was very proud of him indeed.

A year later, she found a note on her desk. It was from Sam saying she was the best teacher he'd ever had in his life, and thank you.

Seven years plus before she heard from Sam again. He wrote to say he'd finished secondary school, scored well enough in his exams to win a university place, and that she was still the best teacher he'd ever had.

Three years later, she got another letter. Sam said that things had been tough financially, but he'd seen it through, worked his way through college I was about to graduate with a first class degree. And, by the way, she was still the best teacher ever.

For more years elapsed, before Sam contacted her again he explained that he decided to continue His studies after his 1st°. She was still his favourite teacher, and, by the way, his name had grown a little longer. The letter was signed Dr Samuel J stone, MA, PhD.

But that's not the end of the story. In the spring another letter arrived. Sam wrote that he met a girl and they were going to be married. He said his father had died a few years back, and he was wondering whether Mrs Evans would be willing to sit at the wedding in place using reserved for the mother of the groom.

And that's exactly what happened. And Mrs Evans one that saying imitation diamond bracelet, with some of the stones missing, and she made sure she was wearing the same perfume that Sam remembered his mother wearing the last Christmas they were together.

After the ceremony, they hold each other and Dr Sam Stone whispered in Mrs Evans ear “Thank you so much, so SO much for believing in me. Thank you for making me feel I was worth something, and that I could make a difference”

"Oh, no, Sam" she replied, "You have it so, so wrong. You were the one who taught me. It was you who told me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.

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