01/11/2026
***STORY-OF-THE-WEEK***
The Teacher’s Wisdom: A Lesson in Dignity
A young man saw his primary school teacher on a wedding. He went to greet him with all the respect and admiration. He said to him: “Do you remember me, Teacher?” The teacher said: “No, please introduce yourself.” The student said: “I was your student in the 3rd Grade, I am the one who stole the watch of a child in the classroom. I will remind you but I am sure you remember the story.”
One of the boys in my class had a beautiful watch, so I decided to steal it. He came to you crying that someone had stolen his watch. You asked us to stand so as to search our pockets.
I realized that my action would be exposed in front of the Students and Teachers. I will be called a thief, a liar and my character will be shattered forever. You asked us to stand and face the wall and close our eyes completely. You went searching from pocket to pocket, and when you reached my pocket you pulled the watch out of my pocket, and you continued until you searched the last student. After you finished you asked us to open our eyes and to sit on our chairs. I was afraid you will expose me in front of the students.
You showed the watch to the class, and gave it back to the boy, and you never mentioned the name of the one who stole the watch. You never said a word to me, and you never mentioned the story to anyone. Throughout my school life, none of the teachers nor the students talked about me stealing the watch. I thought to myself you saved my dignity that day. The teacher said: “I can’t remember who stole the watch that day, because I searched the pockets of all of you while my eyes were also closed.”
Education needs wisdom. We should be able to be such Teachers, such Parents, such Leaders and be able to be for people in such circumstances. We should always calculate the consequences of our actions. Protecting and reforming is tougher than exposing and expelling!
