The Hand

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Posted by: " Ganesh *** " Kriyababa1 kriyababa

Thu Nov 22, 2007 5:46 am (PST)

 

*T H E H A N D

 

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 student's 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. Still others guessed it was

the hand of God, for God feeds us. 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.

 

-- Author Unknown*