Ugly Teacher

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, 

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139: 14

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They say children are the most honest persons.

They don't really care how you will feel or react. They say the things that are in their minds despite of.

They are pure, honest and sincere.

They have the eyes that see the true beauty.

There is a point in my life where I came across this type of situation.

And here's my story:

 

I had nothing to do for the rest of the summer vacation. Jobs are fairly hard to find those days especially when you're young and inexperienced. I am still in second year high school that time and people often think I'm too young to handle any responsibility. Maybe they were right but I think at some point, they all got me wrong.

I volunteered for a group of people who will teach young children about Jesus. They do it every summer and called it 'Vacation Bible School'. It usually lasts for a week and we will have a little graduation after that on Saturdays. It was cool hanging out with these people. And besides it's the best use of my utterly boring time.

Our overseer, a very kind lady named Lorna helped us every step of the way even if most of us are young and inexperienced. They say it is an easy thing to do but honestly it requires patience, a stout heart, lots of courage, and a desire for adventure.

The afternoon was perfect for playing but that particular Monday, children chose to skip their usual routine and joined us. Some of them were perfectly dressed in decent clothes but most of them are not. You have to imagine that these kids live in the poorest area of our little town. Baggy dirty clothes, uncombed hair, running on bare feet, some of them hadn’t had a shower for a long time. But the same sparkle in their eyes is seen and the excitement was obviously distinguished.

They are grouped according to age. I was assigned to be a part of the ages 4-6 team and we are called the backpackers since our theme is about mountain climbing. We've got adorable little kids and I'm so happy I'm excused apparently to a headache (ages 7-12). I was an assistant teacher, meaning I'll just keep the kids accompanied in their art works and prevent them from running around. It was a pretty easy job but it was actually easier said than done.

Our activity that Monday is quite easy but having 4-6 kids doing the work makes it a little lousy. I tried to ask every kid if they needed my help.

When I came across to a pretty girl wearing pink named Abigail I smiled and offered my sincerest assistance to her work. She just turned away from me and said, "I don't like you. You're ugly. I like teacher April because she's cute. She's a pretty teacher and you're not. You are an ugly teacher."

I was quite stunned at that moment not knowing what to say and how to react. This kid just called me ugly and I just offered her some help. I turned away quietly and found another girl having difficulties in her art activity. I tried to compose myself and smiled to the other girl ignoring Abigail. Her name is Mae and she has attractive little hands and a sweet smile.

My heart sank because of the remark but I tried to act as if nothing had happened. When the day ended I didn't said a word. As everyone mused happily over the day I was left in my own thoughts. I know I'm not as good looking as April but do I really look dreadful

Tuesday, I didn't know what to do. I was pondering over the facts and it left me unrelieved. I want to scream and just run away. I know I was miserable. Who would be happy if anyone calls her ugly? I know I'm not beautiful but the mere fact that it was slapped at my face created more than nerves and jitters. Tears in my eyes were falling like a river as if every drop would make the situation reversible. I am in high school and as a normal teenager I have pimples, long wavy black hair and spectacles. I'm ugly, dreadful, unappealing, and hideous – That’s what I thought anyway.

A small voice inside my head doesn’t want to come back and volunteer. Maybe I'll be better off sitting in our couch and watch some afternoon melodrama crying with my poor battered heart. Beside people cannot see me therefore I can save my face from being bullied again by a six year old.

As weird as it seems my feet brought me back to the same place even though it knows I'm downhearted.

I was having a difficult time reconciling the loneliness gripping me. The thoughts are just way too much for a fourteen year old to handle. Maybe that's why boys don't notice me. Maybe that's why popular girls don't like hanging out with me. It was simply because –

April's call for help drifted me back to reality. I was afraid I grew deaf and numb but the sadness in my heart proves I do have sensitive feelings. I tried to avoid Abigail as much as possible for it brings back tears and grief in my young heart. And then I saw Mae smile at me. She makes me feel so welcome. The warmth of her smile gave me courage to continue on.

Days had passed and it was Friday, a day before the end of the week. It brings both tears and happiness in my heart.

After the bible story we had one last project. The kids started to glue and color the papers. I tried to help the children as much as I could do. I was sitting with Mae at a corner and a little girl in a pink dress (she loves wearing pink) approached me. She was smiling.

"Teacher could you help me with this?" she asked. I was taken aback but tried to smile.

"Sure why not?" I said quietly.

We finished the work marvelously and I was still amazed with Abigail's presence. I thought she didn't like me. I know for a fact that she finds me ugly then why bother talking to me.

Abigail began talking and explaining things I haven't known for the past few days.

"Mae is my sister." She told me.

"I see," I responded. "You're sisters. Maybe that's why you both have beautiful eyes." I said.

"Thank you." She responded cheerfully. Acting mature for her age.

While doing Mae's art work Abigail started talking again and she was so cheerful.

"Teacher April is really beautiful. I call her Pretty teacher," she told me. "Teacher Lea is cute but she's fat so she's fat teacher."

"No she's not," I corrected her grinning. "She's just a little chubby but maybe after a year and grows taller she’ll be as thin as paper." I joked as she giggled.

"Really?" Mae asked.

"Maybe." Abigail admitted. "Anyway teacher Cris is annoying so I call her annoying teacher," she added.

I know I wrinkled my brow at that moment. She was about to say how ugly I am and I don't know if I could bare it for one more time. She just continued talking. "I call you kind teacher because you're the most caring and nice of them all," she finished delightfully.

I stared at Abigail in disbelief.

Did she just call me kind teacher?

She didn't comment on how ugly I looked this time. I was glad. No, actually it was more than that I feel like celebrating. My heart once filled with grief was now filled with pure bliss.

The day ended and I couldn't contain the happiness flowing in my heart. I may not be beautiful but true beauty is best seen in a good heart. I'm not a very nice person but it proved that I do have a good heart. It makes me feel so alive. Beauty can never be measured only in appearances. It is best measured if we'll use our hearts.

I'm no beauty queen. Never been a cheerleader. But I know I hold a beauty no one could take even old age. I had so many insecurities, doubts about myself. But I believe something still holds true. It is the heart we give to people and the beauty we can readily share.

Truly, one can still see it, in the eyes of a child.
 

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