One day, the
mother of ten
year-old William
was talking and
complaining to a
teacher about
the low grades
that her son had
brought home in
the report card.
Aggravated, she
poured her
dissatisfaction
on the teacher.
She spoke about
the lack of care
the school had
with the
children's
education,
claiming that
her son was not
getting the
proper care.
|
Teacher Vera
patiently
explained to her
that learning
depends on each
student as in
the way they
receive the
teachings and
the good will
they demonstrate
in learning.
The mother,
unhappy, did not
agree with that
theory.
Walking down the
hall, they
passed by the
library where
three students
did their
homework after
school.
|
As an example,
the teacher said
to the first: |
- What are you
doing?
The angry boy
replied:
- I'm grounded,
and doing this
crappy
assignment that
should have been
handed in
yesterday. Now,
I can't even go
out to play!
- And you? - she
asked the
second.
- I am doing
this assignment
because I do not
want to fail!
After this, I'll
play ball with
my friends – he
replied,
flustered.
- And you? - she
asked the third
boy.
The boy,
smiling, replied
willingly:
- Ah! I'm doing
these exercises
because I want
to learn! Our
teacher just
finished
explaining this
subject and I am
trying to
memorise it so I
do not forget
what I learned
in class.
Turning to the
mother, who was
watching the
scene in
silence, the
teacher
concluded:
- Do you
understand? The
content is the
|
|
same but the
reaction and the
motivation of
the three
students is
completely
different. |
The mother
apologized,
dispirited,
recognizing that
the teacher was
right.
- Deep down, I
know my son does
not like to
study and his
poor performance
is his own
fault. However,
we are poor and
I worry about
his future,
seeing that he
is not
interested in
learning. What
should I do?
Teacher Vera
thought for a
moment and
pondered:
- Find out that
he likes, what
makes him happy.
On her way home
the mother
thought hard and
at last
discovered.
William had long
wanted a
computer but she
had not paid
attention to him
thinking it
would be money
thrown away.
That same
evening she
talked with her
husband and they
decided to grant
the child's
wish. They would
have to make
great efforts
and work harder
to pay for the
computer but it
might be worth
it.
Before going to
bed, the father
called William
and said:
- Son, I know
you want a
computer but you
have done
nothing to
deserve it.
Improve your
performance at
school and we
can think about
it.
Excited about
that promise,
the next day
William woke up
cheerful and
resolved to
improve. At
school his
behaviour was
different as he
tried to pay
more attention
in class. At
home, he would
do his homework
and then study
the subject
thoroughly.
As time went by,
he developed a
real taste for
studying and
started to enjoy
his books.
The result: when
he proudly
brought his
report card
home, his grades
were much better
and his parents
were very happy.
|
The very next
day, when
William came
home from school
- surprise! - he
found a computer
already set up
with all the
equipment!
With his eyes
wide with
wonder, he
turned to his
parents who were
watching from
the door:
- It is yours,
son! - confirmed
his father.
William embraced
them with tears
in his eyes:
|
- Dad, thank
you! It is just
as I have always
wanted! |
But in doubt, he
looked at his
parents:
- I thank you
for this. But I
know how much it
must have cost.
Look, in fact,
you have already
achieved your
goal. Now I've
learned to
really like to
study. There's
no need to give
me a computer
anymore!
- You have
earned it, son.
It's yours.
William, calmer,
considered:
- Well, if it is
so, now I need
to take courses
and learn to use
the computer.
Then I can make
money with it
and return a
little of the
much you have
given me all
this time.
His parents,
moved, realised
that the value
of the gift was
small
considering the
happiness they
saw in the
child.
Returning to
school to thank
Vera for her
help, the mother,
who previously
only received
complaints about
the boy, was
pleased to hear
from the teacher:
-
Congratulations!
Your child is
very different.
It seems like a
miracle! How did
you do it?
The mother
smiled and said:
- It's simple.
With affection,
attention and
stimulation. And
a computer, of
course!
Aunt Celia