Teach My Grandson Teacher - Gently, If You Can
My grandson starts school today. It's going to be strange and new to him for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently.
You see, up to now, he's been king of the roost -- he's been boss of the backyard. His mom, dad, and Grandma have always been around to repair his wounds, and soothe his feelings.
But now things are going to be different! This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand, and start out on a great adventure... it's an adventure that might take him across the continent... it's an adventure that might include wars and strategy and sorrow.
To live his live in this world, will require faith and love and courage. So teacher, I pray you will take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know.
Teach my grandson teacher -- but gently, if you can. He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, that all men are not true.
But teach him also, that for every scoundrel, there is a hero... that for every crooked politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend.
It will take time teacher, I know, but teach my grandson, if you can, that a nickel earned is far more value than a dollar found... teach him to learn to lose... and to enjoy winning.
Steer him away from envy, if you can, and teach him the secret of quiet laughter.
Let my grandson learn early that the bullies are the easiest people to lick... teach him, if you can, the wonder of books... but also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hill.
In school, teacher, teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat... teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him that he is wrong... teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people.
Try to give my grandson strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon... teach him to listen to all men... but, teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.
Teach my grandson teacher... but gently if you can, how to laugh when he is sad... teach him there is no shames in tears... teach him there can be glory in failure and despair in success.
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob... and to stand and fight if he thinks he is right.
Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness... teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidders but, never, never, put a price tag on his heart and soul.
Treat my grandson gently, teacher, but don't coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel... let him have the courage to be impatient... let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself. Because then he will have sublime faith in God and Mankind.
This is a tall order, teacher, but please help him if you can do. You see, he's such a nice little fellow... my grandson.
Teach my grandson, teacher... but gently if you can.
Adapted by Thomas Halbert
http://members.tripod.com/~Friend4/bestari.htm#examination
2 comments:
hey.. I like ur post bout Teach My Grandson Teacher - Gently, If You Can...it is really not easy to be an educator.. and whereby these are the people who plays important role in building a teenager, shaping the way they think.. the are the ones whom we come to contact the most besides our parents..it is really not easy be a dedicated educator and in this context, as i mean here is being a teacher.. teachers are also ordinary human beings.. they too have feelings and yet there are teachers whom we come across during our school age that are really really dedicated to their profession..and this makes me think of Puan Lim, Puan Khadijawati and also Mr Charles Yeo.. and of course lots more teachers that really left a 'footprint' in my life..i really salute them, thank them for their teachings and guidance.. and also thank God that i was met with such dedicated teachers.. They can choose either to teach us in the harsh way, not caring how we feel like some of the teachers did to us.. i think u would know whom i meant rite? but these are the people whom chosen to guide us along the way of learning.. and not teach us cos they are paid to teach..spending their weekend with us in school is something i really appreciate much..they can choose to be with their family, but they chose to be together with us.. this is wad we call commiment i would say..teachers of this kind is really getting less and less..they are aging and retiring.. Mr Charles Yeo had already retired. and tat is a great loss for KHS.. Puan Lim and the rest will soon reach retiring age also..and from the reality, young teachers.. i can hardly find one with such commitment as them.. they jus teach wad they should, do wad they should, do things in an unprofessional way..tats wad i don like.. So Ida, its really a burden for ya to be an educator..But as for me, knewing you for so long, noe ur character well, i have faith in u being a dedicated educator.. teacher..U sure will be.. believe in urself..believe in your philosophy..and u will Shine like Stars.. All the best from me..take good care in Johor and God Bless ya..Always..
another thing i wanna say..parents and even grandparents are those whom cares bout us so much.. they give all their faith for people that is gonna shape their loved ones.. from the way they walk til the way they speak.. so, its important tat teachers teach the right things..cos those whom they teach tend to learn everything of their teachers..Grandparents wont wan to see their grandchildren turning into someone whom have bad character jus cos they went to get educated..its important not to disappoint these ppl.... as it might happen to us one day for sure.. i don mean any pressure here..jus to express how i think..don get pressurised hor..I have faith in u that u are goin to be a dedicated educator one day.. believe me and in yourself.. God Speed..
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