There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.
But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn’t play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X’s and then putting a big “F” at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child’s past records and she put Teddy’s off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
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Teddy’s fourth grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school.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.”
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy’s. His present which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children’s laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, “Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.” After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her “teacher’s pets.”
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he’d stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor’s degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer—the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
The story doesn’t end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he’d met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson’s ear, “Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.” Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, “Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn’t know how to teach until I met you.”
A GOOD LESSON FOR TEACHERS.
THANKS, JAZAKUMULLAH
EMOTIONAL AND INSPIRING.
The story touches the soul
i just finished reading this story sent by Sara.Yes this story as i said to Mrs Sara is one that our teachers must read around all the arabic and islamic countries.Many pupils are in need especially where wars are killed many fathers and mothers.Some children are in need to affection from their teachers in lack of their parents. I do not know where you found these amazing and eductives stories but continue we are all teddy and your are Mrs Thomson.
A.Ouerdane from Namur Belgium
Sara you seem to be Mrs Thomson and we all like Teddy.Continue teaching us the imazing and beautiful stories.We are in need .Not only your story i read but i learn with you english.I often go to google traduction to translate some words I am proud of you Sara.Your name remember me our great Mother,Sara, wife of our great father Ibrahim.Thanks for all.
Respectfuly
Dr A.Ouerdane from Belgium
Very nice story
This is a powerful message to our modern society.Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being….:)
Very true ! 🙂
Yah… Very emotional and motivating!!! Great.
Emotional and Inspiring. How beautiful this live is if only we can make others feel they are important too.
Very emotional and interesting, one of the few good stories I ever come across
And emotional too
Wonderful Story
Thanks&wonderful moments i experinced when reading last para
This is a very touch and moving story. I hope we all have a lesson to learn from it because l have.
Yeah, great!
Another of your stories from cloud cuckoo land. Such people or teachers only exist in fiction or in the imagination of do gooders. The only kinds of teachers that I came across were bastards and bitches of the first order-and gold plated ones at that. My Marathi teacher used to continuously fail me because I didn’t have money for private tuitions. My principal (Father Vijay), was evil personified and used to single me out for “special treatment” because I’m a Muslim. If I were to come across any of my so-called teachers, I’ll surely confront them and maybe even bang them up good.
Ali, it is true some are like that. It is unfortunate that you got only such ones. I too had bad experience with a couple of the so called “father so and so” who were prejudiced against Muslims. But, I also had good teachers who influenced greatly and I cannot forget that. I still remember those teachers with affection.
This has made me cry!!!
Actually good teachers are those who teach us; not the subjects we need to learn. These we get to learn from the text books, in any case!!!! A good teacher is NOT the book; but the guide who helps us get through the book.
And I am not to be confused with the other “Zafar” who has commented above!!!!
Thanks you for this story.
Zafar Iqbal you are a regular commentor on our site.
Thanks!
One of the best stories, since the subscription. I would like to rate this story as 10/10.
Teaching is a prophetic job.
Wonderful! I have tears in my eyes.
same with me. So much emotional
Very touching.I love it
I like the content of this site, I suggest to modify other names to the Muslim names and occassions of christmas and such other issues in Muslim orientation style. And this only to sync Muslims truly with such stories. Thanks
I like the content of this site, I suggest to modify other names to the Muslim names and occassions of christmas and such other issues in Muslim orientation style. And this only to sync Muslims truly wit such stories. Thanks
Your suggestion may be Ok. But seek (take) knowledge from where ever possible, regardless of religion, country or language…etc. Our belowed Prophet Muhammad (Sallallah A W) said, if neccessary, you may travel as far as China to seek knowledge
Im sure we do have some teachers who are humble and caring.
wondeful! i wish all our teachers will read and learn from these two destined-to-be-great people. Allah, ameen!!
Aameen
so human. read it many times before, but still have the same tears
Awesome! excellent!mind blowing!
VERY NICE
A value based story with a lesson of mutual enrichment, and fulfilment.
The story is good but is really very long.
Absolutely Wonderful but the story is too long. It could have been shorter.
Absolutely Wonderful
Thanks Nahreen.
impressive
Just 1 word “BEAUTIFUL”!!!!
At first i though of avoiding this long story, But fortunately when read , I am in tears, the saddest part was seeing the boy unclean because of her mother expired , I happened to loose my mother 6 years before ……and i am very untidy within ….uh it pains a lot
May God give you patience Zafar.
Our prayers are with you.
JazakAllah hu khairan
Allahi Rahmha ( your mother).
Very nice one…
Glad you liked it Vaseem.
Brilliant ! wonderful !! Thanks very much Sara
Welcome Niaz.
Old story but so inspiring that i like to hear it forever……
thnx sara, keep on
Sure, God-willing.
Thanks………………………….!
Welcome Rouba.
the story ends like this:
For you that don’t know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.
Now, I realized that how this is important to keep student and employee life history in the file.
Brilliant!! 🙂 inspiring !
Beautiful, impressive…….
Dont have words to describe my feelings
tears, tears and tears. I am happy for the teacher and the student
It is very impressive and emotional story. I can’t stop my tears. In many cases we are responsible of the misery of our children at home and in schools.
The one he has to glow he might face eclipse for a short duration
Well It was really best story. I feel that I m missing someone too…
Seeing you after a long time Haider !
Hope all is well 🙂
Ali Every thing fine here thanks for asking I read all post daily but don’t like your new comments box that’s why I don’t comment on any post….
Previous box was good….
We trying to work out on it.
Can you pls tell me what is the most annoying aspect of the present commments box?
something is missing! the story didn’t finish yet, I think more to say
just google it and I think you will find the rest of this amazing story some where
just google the name of the medical doctor, and I guess you will be surprised.
have fun
It is really so wounderful story. I like