One Monday morning I came into the classroom and caught Joe1a picture on his math book. This was one day after I had given the class a lecture on taking care of school property. Normally I would have got angry and2him to the office. Instead, I walked over to his desk and stood there. Joe closed the book immediately, trying to hide his drawing. I said, "Let me3what I said yesterday: these textbooks are going to be used for the next five years, and I4you to take good care of them." "Sorry," Joe murmured. "I forgot." "I see." I said.
When I returned to Joe's desk again, he was erasing the drawing with his tiny, worn-out eraser. I5him mine and a drawing pad, and then said, "Here, this might make the job6. And you can also use the pad whenever you have the7to draw." Joe looked8and said, "Thanks." I nodded and started my lesson.
Joe hasn't drawn in his textbook since. He keeps the pad in his pocket and shows me his drawing from time to time. I'm glad I didn't ask him to go to the office that day. It might have stopped him from marking on his books, but we would never have the9we have today. And who knows, I may have10a promising Picasso.
