感恩的双手

Article: Thankful Hands
Source: Internet

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed a virtue.

—William Bennett

Thanksgiving Day  was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment—to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her students’ art. And they were.

But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher's true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes.

Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. And so the discussion went—until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas’ desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was. The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher."

She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand.

Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work.

The story speaks of more than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parents parenting and friends showing friendship, and how much it means to the Douglases of the world. They might not always say thanks, but they'll remember the hand that reaches out.

[林贝卡]

回复福田的评论:

忘记告诉你了，这文章的背景音乐是钢琴曲［无言感激］．

http://space.wenxuecity.com/media/1225824342.wma

Good day to you and good night to me,

Rebecca

[林贝卡]

回复福田的评论:

福田,

谢谢你总是夸奖我,看到你的留言好开心.你一切都好吗？不时地想起你．

祝你节日快乐，周末愉快，

Rebecca

[福田]

林林，几周不见，你愈发的美了。这熟悉的音乐有着温馨的记忆。