It was back in 1995 when I first came across a poem entitled "Teach Him Gently."
My son was starting kindergarten that year, and I gave the poem to his teacher. I'm positive that I have shared it with readers of The News Herald before, but I feel it is an appropriate time to share it again.
My son, Chris, began classes last week at UNC-Asheville, and his eyes already have been opened to the value of higher learning.
My daughter, Katie, will begin her last year of middle school tomorrow, and I am feeling a little anxiety over the fact that she is nearly in high school, and that time is moving much too swiftly. So for my kids, your kids, and all the teachers with whom I have had the pleasure to work, here it is again. Have a wonderful year!
My son starts to school tomorrow and It's all going to be
strange and new to him for a while, and I wish you would sort of teach him gently.
You see, up to now, he's been my little boy.
He's been boss of the backyard and I have always been
around to repair his wounds and to soothe his
feelings.
But now, things are going to be different.
This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his
hand, and start out on the great adventure. It's an adventure that will
probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow.
To live his life in the world he will live in requires faith and love and courage.
So, teacher, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand
and teach him the things he will have to know.
Teach him, but gently if you can.
He will have to learn, I know, that all people are not just and all people are not true.
But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero, for
every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that
for every enemy, there is a friend.
Let him learn early that bullies are the easiest people to
lick. Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books, but also give him
quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of the birds in the sky, bees in
the sun, and flowers on a green hillside.
Teach him that it is far more honorable to fail than
to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone
tells him they are wrong.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when
everyone else is getting on the bandwagon.
Teach him to listen to all men, but to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and
take only the good that comes through.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder
but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears to the howling mob, and to stand and
fight if he thinks he's right.
Teach him gently, teacher, but don't coddle him, because only the
test of fire makes fine steel.
This is a big order, teacher, but you see what you can do...He's
such a fine little fellow, my son!
Kaye Fish is a teacher, lives in Morganton and writes for the Gab.
E-mail news@morganton.com
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