Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Reading (01/25/07)
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TITLE: The Cookie Exchange | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Graham
02/01/07 -
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“I made Brunswick stew and biscuits,” she said happily. “Come over and we’ll have a feast.”
More papers awaited my attention, but Mrs. Pfeiffer’s mouth-watering stew beckoned.
In her cozy kitchen, I ladled steaming savory soup into a bowl and buttered a golden brown biscuit.
She held up the newspaper. “I read an article about something called ‘Teach-In’ . . . is this the event when folks from the community come into classrooms and talk to kids about life experiences?”
I nodded, “It’s coming up in a couple of weeks.”
“Do you have anybody lined up for your students?” She gave me a sideways look.
“No,” I said regretfully.
“I have plenty of life experiences I can share.”
I took a deep breath. “Mrs. Pfieffer, I teach high school students . . . they are often mean and disrespectful.”
“Don’t worry! I might be seventy years old, but I can handle it,” she insisted.
I chose my words carefully. “Dealing with high school kids is a daunting task. Very few consistently put forth the effort. I guess that’s why I keep trying. I’m not trying to discourage you . . . I’m just being truthful.”
Her blue eyes twinkled. “Joshua 1:9 says, ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’”
As the date of “Teach-In” approached, I secretly hoped she would forget about it, but I was wrong.
She called the evening before and announced. “I’m ready for tomorrow! I’ll see you there!”
I was immediately filled with anxiety, fearing that my students would be cruel or make fun of the tiny lady in large round glasses and tufts of white hair. I prayed fervently for her.
True to her word, Mrs. Pfieffer arrived the next morning. I steeled myself, ready to be her protector, if need be.
The kids snickered as she tried several times to perch on a stool. I shot them a warning look as she settled in. Opening her purse, she drew out a small book and began to read aloud.
“Fun With Dick and Jane? That’s a baby book,” Bradley interrupted. “I read that in Kindergarten.” His classmates laughed.
Mrs. Pfeiffer responded sweetly. “Up until last year, I couldn’t read at all.”
The students looked at each other in amazement. “Are you serious?”
She nodded. “My family was poor. We moved often and I missed a lot of school, so I quit going. Later on, I got married and had kids, so I never had time to learn to read, but I still kept the dream alive. You probably take reading for granted, but to me it is like being given wings to fly. Now, I read everything . . . even comic books!”
“Who taught you?” This question was from a girl who very seldom paid attention in class.
“A high school girl about the same age as you,” said Mrs. Pfeiffer, with tears in her eyes. “I gave her cookies in exchange for reading lessons!”
She reached inside her bag again, and drew out a tattered piece of paper. “You’re never too old to have goals. I have a list of things I want to accomplish. Reading the Bible from cover to cover is one of mine. Making new friends and teaching others to appreciate reading is another. Start your own list . . . set a few goals . . . you may even surprise yourself.”
Flashing a sweet smile, she said, “I’m building my own library. If you’ve finished a book and would like to add it to my collection, I’ll pay for it in cookies.”
Several evenings later, I spotted three of my students emerging from a car parked in front of Mrs. Pfeiffer’s house. I stood up to confront them, but something held me back. Bearing books, they stepped onto her porch and politely rang the bell. A few minutes later, they walked down the sidewalk, munching on cookies.
At that moment, I realized something very important: “Teach-In” isn’t just for students . . . even a teacher can learn a thing, or two.
(Scripture taken from NIV)
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