One day ten
year-old
Philip’s mother
was talking to
his teacher and
complaining of
the low grades
that her son had
brought home in
his report card.
She angrily
poured out her
dissatisfaction.
She talked about
the lack of care
the school had
with the
children’s
education,
claiming that
her son was not
receiving the
appropriate
care.
Teacher Yolanda
patiently
explained to her
that learning
depends on each
student, the way
they receive the
teachings and
the effort they
put into
learning.
The mother,
unhappy, did not
agree with that
theory.
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Walking down the
hall, they
passed through
the library
where three
students did
their homework
after school. As
an example, the
teacher asked
the first
student:
- What are you
doing?
The angry boy
replied:
- I'm grounded,
doing this
crappy homework
that
should
have
been
|
 |
|
handed
in
yesterday.
Now, I
cannot
even go
play! |
- And what about
you? - she asked
the second
student.
- I am doing my
homework because
I do not want to
get a zero! Then
I'll play ball
with my friends
- he said
flustered.
- And what about
you? - she
asked the third
boy.
The boy,
smiling,
responded
willingly:
- Ah! I'm doing
these exercises
because I want
to learn! The
teacher just
explained this
subject and I
am trying to
absorb it as to
not forget what
I learned in
class.
Turning to the
mother, who
watched the
scene in
silence, the
teacher
concluded:
- See? The
content is the
same but the
reaction and
motivation of
the three boys
is completely
different.
The mother
apologised,
crestfallen,
understanding
the teacher’s
reasoning.
- Basically, I
know my son does
not like to
study and his
bad grades are
his own fault.
However, we are
poor and I worry
about his future
because I see
that he is not
interested in
learning. What
should I do?
Teacher Yolanda
thought for a
moment and
pondered:
- Find out what
he likes, what
makes him
happy.
On her way home
the mother
thought hard and
at last figured
it out. Phillip
had long wanted
a computer but
she had not
given it any
attention
thinking it
would be money
thrown away.
That same day
she talked with
her husband and
decided to meet
the child's
wish. They would
have to make
great efforts
and work even
harder to pay
for the computer
but it might be
worth the
sacrifice.
Before going to
bed, the father
called Phillip
and said:
- Son, I know
that you want a
computer but you
have done
nothing to
deserve it.
Improve your
grades at school
and we can think
about it.
Excited about
that promise the
next day Phillip
woke up well
prepared and
resolved to make
an effort. At
school his
behaviour was
different as he
tried to pay
more attention
in class. At
home, he would
do his homework
and then
re-study the
subject.
Over the next
few days, he
took a real
taste for
studying and got
fond of his
books.
The result: when
he proudly
brought his
report card home
his grades were
much better and
his parents were
very happy.
The next day,
when Phillip
came back home
from school -
surprise! - he
found a computer
already
installed and
with all the
equipment!
With his eyes
wide with
wonder, he
turned to his
parents who
watched him from
the door:
- It's yours,
son! - confirmed
his father.
Phillip embraced
them with tears
in his eyes:
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- Dad, thank
you! It is
everything I
wanted and
more!
However, he
looked at his
parents and
said:
- I thank you
for this. But I
know how much it
must have cost.
Look, in fact,
you have already
achieved your
goal. Now I've
learned to like
to study. You do
not needed to
give me a
computer
anymore!
- You have
earned it, son.
It is yours.
Phillip, calmer,
considered:
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- Well, if that
is so, now I
need to take
courses to learn
to use the
computer. Then
I'll be able to
make money with
it and return a
little of the
much you have
given me all
this time.
His parents were
moved and
realised that
the value of
that gift was
small
considering the
happiness they
saw in their
child.
Returning to
school to thank
Teacher Yolanda
for her help,
the mother,
which previously
only received
complaints, was
pleased to hear
from the
teacher:
-
Congratulations!
Your child is
very different.
It seems like a
miracle! How did
you do it?
The mother
smiled and
said:
- It is simple.
With affection,
attention and
stimulation. And
a computer, of
course!
Aunt Celia
