I had worried myself sick over Simon's mother coming to see me. I was a new1 and I gave an honest account of the students' work. In Simon's case, the grades were awfully low. He couldn't read his own handwriting.2he was a bright student. He discussed adult subjects with nearly adult comprehension. His work in no way reflected his3
So when Simon's mother entered the room, my palms(手掌心) were sweating. I was completely4for her lisses on both my cheeks.“I came to thank you,” she said, surprising me beyond speech.5me, Simon had become a different person. He talked of how he6me, he had began to make friends, and for the first time in his twelve years, he had7spent an afternoon at a friend's house. She wanted to tell me how grateful she was for the8I had nurtured(培养) in her son. She kissed me again and left.
I sat, stunned (惊呆), for about half an hour, 9 what had just happened. How did I make such a life-changing difference to that boy without10knowing it? What I finally came to 11was one day, several months before, when some students were 12reports in the front of the class, Jeanne spoke 13, and to encourage her to raise her voice, L had said, “Speak up. Simon's the expert on this. He is the 14one you have to convince, and he can't hear you in the15of the room.” That was it. From that day on, Simon had sat up straighter, paid more attention,16more, and became happy. And it was all because he17to be the last kid in the last row. The boy who most needed18was the one who took the last seat that day.
It taught me the most19lesson over the years of my teaching career, and I'm thankful that it came20and positively. A small kindness can indeed make a difference.